Corey

Steve Martin does a wonderful job of documenting his rise from a wannabe magician when he was a child to a superstar comedian. Factual, emotional, and poignant, the book was not only a great portrait of a creative artist, but a historical account of the rise of stand-up comedy. The book documents his life from birth to the early 80's, when he did the movie "The Jerk." I already yearn for a sequel, as Steve's movie career began to take off. And Steve does a great job of reading his own material. The best kind of audiobook. Definite recommend.

This very well-researched and thorough account of how the five films nominated for Best Picture in 1968 came into being is everything you'd want in an audio book. It not only gives you a clear account of the time period, but shows how the curtain was closing on the studio-system-relics and opening for a new breed of younger, hipper filmmakers. It really is a watershed moment, and the author proves his thesis wonderfully. It's the perfect audio book because although I may have tired reading it in book form, it was a great companion on my long commute into work, and I was a little bummed when it ended. I learned a lot and gained even further insight into William Goldman's statement that in Hollywood, "Nobody knows anything." You're surprised anything of merit ever comes through the system, but this book shows some prime examples.

This behind the scenes look into the television industry is humorous, informative, and riveting. Focusing on recent breakout hits such as CSI, Desperate Housewives, Lost, and American Idol, the author demonstrates an affinity for the subject, and his tales of the machinations behind the curtains of the major broadcast networks proves William Goldman's adage, "Nobody knows anything." The book mainly discusses the period from 1999-2004, so if you're looking for something on the history of broadcasting, this isn't it. But if you'd like to hear more about how the television industry has been changing in recent years, check it out.