David
I gave up on my first attempt at The Passage several years ago because of the sheer number of indistinguishable characters. After seeing so many rave reviews, I gave it another shot this year and ultimately enjoyed it — though my original issue never fully went away.
I’ve just finished The Twelve, and I nearly abandoned this one as well. There are simply too many characters, timelines, and geographically scattered survivor groups that begin to blur together. I often found myself unsure who was alive, dead, or… undead. Add in callbacks to minor characters introduced 300 pages earlier, and it became more exhausting than immersive.
That said, there are genuinely exciting sequences and moments of high tension. For me, though, they didn’t quite justify the nearly 600-page sprawl.
Now I’m left deciding whether to tackle The City of Mirrors — or call it a trilogy and a day.
I gave up on my first attempt at The Passage several years ago because of the sheer number of indistinguishable characters. After seeing so many rave reviews, I gave it another shot this year and ultimately enjoyed it — though my original issue never fully went away.
I’ve just finished The Twelve, and I nearly abandoned this one as well. There are simply too many characters, timelines, and geographically scattered survivor groups that begin to blur together. I often found myself unsure who was alive, dead, or… undead. Add in callbacks to minor characters introduced 300 pages earlier, and it became more exhausting than immersive.
That said, there are genuinely exciting sequences and moments of high tension. For me, though, they didn’t quite justify the nearly 600-page sprawl.
Now I’m left deciding whether to tackle The City of Mirrors — or call it a trilogy and a day.
As I currently work in the outer office of what was once Louis B. Mayer’s office, I was especially intrigued to read Kenneth Turan’s Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation. The book offers a compelling look at two titans of Hollywood whose partnership—and rivalry—helped shape the studio system and the industry as we know it.
While I occasionally found the syntax a bit off-putting (which may be a matter of personal taste), the book remains a fascinating dive into Hollywood’s past and the complicated dynamic between these two powerful figures. Turan brings their ambitions, clashes, and influence into sharp focus.
One particularly delightful tidbit: learning that the Thalberg Building now stands on the spot where Buster Keaton once had his bungalow—a reminder of how layers of Hollywood history are forever stacked on top of one another.
As I currently work in the outer office of what was once Louis B. Mayer’s office, I was especially intrigued to read Kenneth Turan’s Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation. The book offers a compelling look at two titans of Hollywood whose partnership—and rivalry—helped shape the studio system and the industry as we know it.
While I occasionally found the syntax a bit off-putting (which may be a matter of personal taste), the book remains a fascinating dive into Hollywood’s past and the complicated dynamic between these two powerful figures. Turan brings their ambitions, clashes, and influence into sharp focus.
One particularly delightful tidbit: learning that the Thalberg Building now stands on the spot where Buster Keaton once had his bungalow—a reminder of how layers of Hollywood history are forever stacked on top of one another.
Having worked in both the outer office of what was once Louis B. Mayer’s office and now in what was once Irving Thalberg’s, I was especially intrigued to read Kenneth Turan’s Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation. The book offers a compelling look at two titans of Hollywood whose partnership—and rivalry—helped shape the studio system and the industry as we know it.
While I occasionally found the syntax a bit off-putting (which may be a matter of personal taste), the book remains a fascinating dive into Hollywood’s past and the complicated dynamic between these two powerful figures. Turan brings their ambitions, clashes, and influence into sharp focus.
One particularly delightful tidbit: learning that the Thalberg Building now stands on the spot where Buster Keaton once had his bungalow—a reminder of how layers of Hollywood history are forever stacked on top of one another.
Having worked in both the outer office of what was once Louis B. Mayer’s office and now in what was once Irving Thalberg’s, I was especially intrigued to read Kenneth Turan’s Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation. The book offers a compelling look at two titans of Hollywood whose partnership—and rivalry—helped shape the studio system and the industry as we know it.
While I occasionally found the syntax a bit off-putting (which may be a matter of personal taste), the book remains a fascinating dive into Hollywood’s past and the complicated dynamic between these two powerful figures. Turan brings their ambitions, clashes, and influence into sharp focus.
One particularly delightful tidbit: learning that the Thalberg Building now stands on the spot where Buster Keaton once had his bungalow—a reminder of how layers of Hollywood history are forever stacked on top of one another.
Similar to the Automatic Millionaire, but with sections that go more in-depth, such as real estate investing. Still a worthwhile read.
Similar to the Automatic Millionaire, but with sections that go more in-depth, such as real estate investing. Still a worthwhile read.
Such sound and simple advice that everyone should follow.
I followed some when this book first came out, but not all.
Wish I had.
But it's not too late!
A quick and easy read!
Such sound and simple advice that everyone should follow.
I followed some when this book first came out, but not all.
Wish I had.
But it's not too late!
A quick and easy read!
Ready for My Closeup is a wonderfully researched look at the making of one of the greatest films ever made about the Hollywood machine—Sunset Boulevard—and arguably one of the greatest films of all time, period. The book strikes a perfect balance between deep historical insight and sheer entertainment, making it a quick, engaging read even for casual film fans.
Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, it explores not only how the film came together but also the profound cultural impact it had—on Hollywood, on audiences, and on the people who created it. The author brings the era vividly to life, capturing the glamour, delusion, and sharp-edged cynicism that still feel remarkably relevant today.
Fun (and dark) fact: this was reportedly a favorite film of Felon Trump. As Stephanie Grisham recounts in her memoir after watching it with him:
“Here was a woman (Norma Desmond) who was convinced that everyone loved her and lived in a fantasy world of her own making. I’m sure that Trump had no clue—like none—how similar to him she was.”
A cautionary tale about delusion, power, and decay—tragically lost on its biggest fan.
Ready for My Closeup is a wonderfully researched look at the making of one of the greatest films ever made about the Hollywood machine—Sunset Boulevard—and arguably one of the greatest films of all time, period. The book strikes a perfect balance between deep historical insight and sheer entertainment, making it a quick, engaging read even for casual film fans.
Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, it explores not only how the film came together but also the profound cultural impact it had—on Hollywood, on audiences, and on the people who created it. The author brings the era vividly to life, capturing the glamour, delusion, and sharp-edged cynicism that still feel remarkably relevant today.
Fun (and dark) fact: this was reportedly a favorite film of Felon Trump. As Stephanie Grisham recounts in her memoir after watching it with him:
“Here was a woman (Norma Desmond) who was convinced that everyone loved her and lived in a fantasy world of her own making. I’m sure that Trump had no clue—like none—how similar to him she was.”
A cautionary tale about delusion, power, and decay—tragically lost on its biggest fan.
Ready for My Closeup is a wonderfully researched look at the making of one of the greatest films ever made about the Hollywood machine—Sunset Boulevard—and arguably one of the greatest films of all time, period. The book strikes a perfect balance between deep historical insight and sheer entertainment, making it a quick, engaging read even for casual film fans.
Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, it explores not only how the film came together but also the profound cultural impact it had—on Hollywood, on audiences, and on the people who created it. The author brings the era vividly to life, capturing the glamour, delusion, and sharp-edged cynicism that still feel remarkably relevant today.
Fun (and dark) fact: this was reportedly a favorite film of Felon Trump. As Stephanie Grisham recounts in her memoir after watching it with him:
“Here was a woman (Norma Desmond) who was convinced that everyone loved her and lived in a fantasy world of her own making. I’m sure that Trump had no clue—like none—how similar to him she was.”
A cautionary tale about delusion, power, and decay—tragically lost on its biggest fan.
Ready for My Closeup is a wonderfully researched look at the making of one of the greatest films ever made about the Hollywood machine—Sunset Boulevard—and arguably one of the greatest films of all time, period. The book strikes a perfect balance between deep historical insight and sheer entertainment, making it a quick, engaging read even for casual film fans.
Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, it explores not only how the film came together but also the profound cultural impact it had—on Hollywood, on audiences, and on the people who created it. The author brings the era vividly to life, capturing the glamour, delusion, and sharp-edged cynicism that still feel remarkably relevant today.
Fun (and dark) fact: this was reportedly a favorite film of Felon Trump. As Stephanie Grisham recounts in her memoir after watching it with him:
“Here was a woman (Norma Desmond) who was convinced that everyone loved her and lived in a fantasy world of her own making. I’m sure that Trump had no clue—like none—how similar to him she was.”
A cautionary tale about delusion, power, and decay—tragically lost on its biggest fan.
