Book Review: The Wizard of Oz FAQ

The Wizard of Oz FAQ
All That's Left to Know about Life, According to Oz

by David J. Hogan

472 pages // published in 2014 // cinema non-fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Wizard of Oz FAQ is a fact-filled celebration of the beloved 1939 fantasy masterpiece starring Judy Garland. It's all here - from L. Frank Baum and his Oz novels to the complete background story of the movie's conception, development, and shoot, with special attention given to the little-known parade of uncredited directors, casting difficulties, and on-set accidents and gaffes, as well as more than 75 sidebars devoted to key cast members, directors, and other behind-the-scenes personnel. You'll find a wealth of fun facts: How MGM overworked Judy Garland before, during, and after Oz; why director Victor Fleming had his hands full with the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy's other friends; what it was about Toto that really bothered Judy; the physical horrors of filming in Technicolor; the racial Oz gag that was scripted but never shot; when the Wicked Witch was going to be beautiful; why The Wizard of Oz owes a lot to silent-screen star Mary Pickford; the story of deleted scenes, and a full two weeks of shooting that had to be scrapped; why MGM star Mickey Rooney was part of the movie's traveling publicity blitz; how the Wicked Witch was literally blown off her broomstick one day; the place where lions, tigers, and bears really do live together; singers you hear but never see; the day MGM fired Judy Garland; and much more. Just follow the yellow brick road!

This immense FAQ volume paints a picture for us that shows the gritty details behind the scenes of those gigantic green curtains -- the dark side of Oz. It's like an encyclopedia; it has the last word on everything The Wizard of Oz. This book is vast.

"MGM product had gloss."
Everything they touched was basically golden, but there's a reason for that; they hired the best, and they pushed for quality entertainment. MGM was rather like a city in itself, containing every amenity needed, and had a need for every type of career.

You can open the book to any page and find some interesting tidbits. I found it hard to continuously read for an extended time though. You do end up learning all sorts of things about how the movie came together -- including fine details such as how much Terry (Toto) was paid per week! My favorite part is in chapter 18, where it speeds through several rumors concerning Oz and attempts to relay its validity.

Although The Wizard of Oz movie made millions, it didn't make actual profit until 10 years later when a re-release took place. Can you imagine?! I was also surprised to hear that the beloved song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" almost didn't squeeze through the final cut. Would we have even remembered the film half so well if that song was omitted?! I ended up learning some shocking "secrets" about the making of the movie, about Judy Garland, and ALL the rest of the cast too. There is simply so much packed into this volume, it's crazy.

- - - - -
Language level: 3 out of 5. Mild language/cursing.

Content level: 3 out of 5. A variety of adult themes are at least alluded to, but not too detailed.

Minimum age to read: 18 and up.

Overall? It's an exhaustive source that would make for a good coffee table book in the home of an Oz fan.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // e-book

Book #8 completed




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Book Review: Light in My Darkest Night

Light in My Darkest Night

by Catherine Marshall

255 pages // published in 1989 // Christian memoir

BOOK DESCRIPTION

This is the story of the intense despair and spiritual emptiness that threatened Catherine Marshall's marriage, her health, and her life--and of the devastating discovery that ultimately brought her peace through a new and greater appreciation of God's love and will.

This book is unique compared to Catherine Marshall's other books; this one was published after her death, a collaborative effort from her husband, Len LeSourd, who uses written/recorded material from Catherine herself, and other viewpoints are collected from friends and family. Several people wrote this book together; each person is heard from individually. (I did have to stay on my toes to keep up with who was talking, and to not cross the viewpoints.)

Herein we find that the famed Catherine Marshall had her share of troubles, including the ups and downs of hearing God's voice. She put her full strength into a prayer project for her grandbaby's life. When the situation didn't pan out as she had set it forth in her mind, Catherine spun into depression and a bleak period of life. Haven't we all found ourselves in a similar position at some point? (Most likely when we've been relying on human thinking too much, instead of God's.)

At one point she uses the phrase "Faith overcomes fear" -- several times a day she has to tell herself that phrase just to get through. Catherine, while a Godly woman, was just like the rest of us... And I rather like that phrase she chose. That's one I'm going to remember for a day when I might need it.

What she missed seeing during this tough family time was the miraculous ways that God was shining His light for all to see. What amazing stories! The Almighty's plan wasn't done Catherine's way -- but His way. That's a lesson I can takeaway something from.

"Healing is truly a divine mystery.... Healing remains in the hands of the One who triumphed over man's sin and sicknesses on the cross..."
- Peter John Marshall

If you're familiar with Catherine's other writings, or perhaps with Peter Marshall's story, you'll want to read this one too. If you need a good book that covers topics such as grief, loss, prayer, miracles, healing or even silence from our Heavenly Father... you may find what you need here.

"We can wallow in misery, separated from God. Or we can tell Him, 'I need Your presence in my life more than I need understanding. I choose You, Lord.'"
- Catherine Marshall

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover // paperback

Book #6 completed




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Book Review: Doc Susie

Doc Susie

by Virginia Cornell

256 pages // published in 1991 // biographical story

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The bestselling true story of a woman doctor at the turn of the century and her triumph over prejudice, poverty, and even her own illness. When she arrived in Colorado in 1907, Dr. Susan Anderson had a broken heart and a bad case of tuberculosis. But she stayed to heal the sick, tend to the dying, fight the exploitative railway management, and live a colorful, rewarding life.

Ever since I watched "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", I have wanted so badly to read a good story about a lady doctor in past history. If she lived in Colorado, all the better. So Doc Susie's story is close enough to what I wanted. It's real and raw though. This woman lived a hard lifestyle, but she led a good life.

This book is partly a biography, and partly a story. The author explains that she has pieced together how conversations might have happened, and created a setting that resembles the feel of a novel -- all while restricting herself to the boundaries of accurate information (or fairly close) as presented in a biography. It's not strictly textbook reading -- instead it has an extra flair of rugged adventure and makes the reader feel real emotion for these mountain people whose lives crossed paths with Doc Susie's.

Language level: Mild language. (1 instance in particular, I would rate as a level 4 out of 5 for foul language -- just for the one word.)

Content level: 4 out of 5. Contains some sensitive topics such as childbirth and purity, but isn't very detailed. However, there is 1 lewd act in particular, taking place close to the end.

Minimum age to read: 16 and up.

Intrepid and complex, Susan Anderson is a woman I can glean many lessons from. She was a hard worker, knew how to wield wit (not a virtue per se, but certainly enjoyable to me as a reader), and didn't take "no" for an answer... She persevered and somehow prospered, even if never monetarily wealthy. Now that's a wonderful type of lady.

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover // paperback

Book #5 completed




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.

Book Review: As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust
Flavia de Luce #7

by Alan Bradley

392 pages // published in 2015 // historical mystery

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Hard on the heels of the return of her mother’s body from the frozen reaches of the Himalayas, Flavia, for her indiscretions, is banished from her home at Buckshaw and shipped across the ocean to Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy in Toronto, her mother’s alma mater, there to be inducted into a mysterious organization known as the Nide.

No sooner does she arrive, however, than a body comes crashing down out of the chimney and into her room, setting off a series of investigations into mysterious disappearances of girls from the school.

I always love a good Flavia book, and this one is fantastic -- except for one small thing. My one itty bitty problem is a curse word that is thrown in there -- the strong boldness of it surprised me, as I don't expect or desire some vulgar language in this series.

Anyways, this volume may just take the cake in regard to dramatic dead body entrance onto the scene. It's one you won't be forgetting.

I definitely enjoyed the story, how it begins with a "banishment" from Flavia's ancestral home. We, the readers, have never experienced the like before. What do we end finding out? Interesting things about Harriet, Flavia's deceased mother, and a few new hinted secrets too -- just to keep us guessing!

Overall? A perfectly charming murder mystery for Flavia to flex her brains on. The story could actually be one of my favorites of the series (except that I was personally homesick for Buckshaw!). It is too bad I had to decrease my star rating though.

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover // paperback // e-book // audio

Book #4 completed




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Book Review: Tarzan of the Apes

Tarzan of the Apes
Tarzan #1

by Edgar Rice Burroughs

324 pages // published in 1912 // classic adventure

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Men were indeed more foolish and more cruel than the beasts of the jungle! How fortunate was he who lived in the peace and security of the great forest!

In the late 19th century, a group of travelers become marooned in the coastal jungles of equatorial Africa. Among the group, John and Alice Clayton give birth to a boy, but soon misfortune strikes and both parents sadly die. A she-ape named Kala adopts the young orphaned boy and names him Tarzan. Thus is born the beginning of the Tarzan Legacy!

Mr. Tarzan "of the apes" is a much more refined man than I previously assumed. He communicates with all animals of the forest (some on friendly terms, and some not). But by the time he claps eyes on the first white man he has ever seen (aside from himself), he has already taught himself to read English (a language he knows nothing about speaking aloud), so the fact that he can write full pages of letters to the new white people, but not speak English to them... The situation is rather comical! It doesn't stop there though... When someone finally decides to teach Tarzan how to speak a human language, is it in English? Definitely not. Try French for a curveball. Tarzan is so intelligent too, and learns new things quickly.

I know that Burroughs writes with the philosophy of the age, and some readers may disapprove of his angle on women, on race, and perhaps other issues. But I just feel like those things come with the time period. If you choose to read a book written by a man in the early 1900s, these are likely the ideas you'll see in it. I enjoyed the adventure and drama of the story myself, and although I do see that the author brings out the "wrong" ideas on some of those topics, I can just look at it from a historical point of view and not let that bog down the rest of the novel for me.

Other facts in the book may not always seem accurate and factual, for some reason or another, but I can look past that -- because Burroughs obviously didn't have access to the amazingness of the world wide web...

Additionally, I'm surprised at myself for being okay with the fact that the very first white woman that Tarzan ever sees, he falls in love with her. It just works for this particular story, even though I would end up being a lot more skeptical if this was basically any other book...

I know my review may seem fairly critical, talking about some of the low points of the book. The truth is that I actually did enjoy the story! I feel like I went on a profound journey with Tarzan watching him grow up from his ape-hood to man-hood.

Minimum age to read: 16 and up.
(Maybe a little younger in age could read too, if your teen seems mature enough to handle the old writing style, the savage animals, the killing, and the other ensuing violence that constantly seems to follow Tarzan).

Would I be interested in reading the sequels? Yes! Can't wait to find out what happens next, now that Tarzan has been introduced to civilization.

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover // paperback // e-book // audio

Book #4 completed // Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.