15. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life

  

15. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life. James Curtis. 2022. 810 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, adult nonfiction, biography]

First sentence: The man in the pork pie hat is unhappy. His head down, arms akimbo, he paces grimly as a documentary crew captures him on film.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get: James Curtis' delivers a biography of the legendary 'larger than life' film star Buster Keaton. In some ways, there was not a hat Buster Keaton didn't wear. He did all the jobs--quite literally--in the film business. And, of course, he's quite famous FOR his hats. It IS a full biography--mainly. Starting with his parents upbringing and subsequent marriage through his death and legacy. There's also a strong focus on his entertaining--his work on stage, on film, behind the cameras, in front of the cameras, etc. Some films get their own chapters, I believe. Though many aspects of his life--his work--is covered, the book is never gossip-y or frivolous. It is a serious book about a legendary, one-of-a-kind comic. It is PACKED with details about his silent films especially. Less so, perhaps, with his later work. But I think overall, this one will DELIVER exactly what readers want most, to learn more about the man whose creative genius gave the world unforgettable, incredible FILMS (and shorts). So if the book perhaps focuses a little more on his 'golden era' if you will, I'll allow it.

My thoughts: Yes, the book is LONG, LONG, LONG. However, it was a joyous journey. I began my deep dive into anything-everything Buster Keaton in January. It was a slow start, perhaps, two to three films a week. Nice, steady pace. By the end of January, I was gloriously in all the way and watching almost exclusively Buster Keaton related movies. In some cases, rewatching again, again, again.

As I read through the book, I'd peek to the next chapter to see which film(s) I'd need to see. I think SEEING the films (features, shorts, whatever) BEFORE reading the chapter(s) made a difference. It made me appreciate the book more, encouraged me to go back and watch the film again, and in general made me a nuisance to anyone within reach. DID YOU KNOW THAT....

I found it a fascinating read. I do wish, however, it had MORE PICTURES and LARGER PICTURES. I wouldn't mind it being a thousand pages long (instead of 800) if it meant MORE pictures of Buster.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

46. The Woman They Could Not Silence

The Woman They Could Not Silence: The Shocking Story of a Woman Who Dared to Fight Back. Kate Moore. 2021. 537 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence from the author's note: This is not a book about mental health, but about how it can be used as a weapon. It's a historical book. 

First sentence from the prologue: If she screamed, she sealed her fate. She had to keep her rage locked up inside her, her feelings as tightly buttoned as her blouse. Nevertheless, they came for her. Two men pressed around her, lifting her in their arms, her wide skirts crushed by their clumsy movements--much like her heart inside her chest. Still, she did not fight back, did not lash out wildly, did not slap or hit. The only protest she could permit herself was this: a paralysis of her limbs. She held her body stiff and unyielding and refused to walk to her destiny, no matter how he begged. Amid the vast crowd that had gathered to bear witness, just one person spoke.

First sentence from chapter one: It was the last day, but she didn't know it. In truth, we never do. Not until it is too late. 

Premise/plot: The Woman They Could Not Silence is a biography of Elizabeth Packard. It is the story of how she turned an absolutely horrible and unjust circumstance into an opportunity to change laws and society. Theophilus and Elizabeth Packard, but, not entirely happily. It seems that after some [early] years together [that were mostly quiet and peaceful], Elizabeth began to think, to think for herself, to think above and beyond what her husband wanted. Namely, her husband, a minister, became greatly upset when his wife began to reach different conclusions about religion. Not only did she form contrary opinions to his doctrine, she would talk about her opinions with others--men, women, her own children. Whether he truly and sincerely believed that she was actually insane and must be committed to an insane asylum for her own good, or, if her committal to an insane asylum was just beneficial to him personally, I don't know if we--the readers--can know. But we do know that she was committed against her will--at the will of her husband (and father, and many members of the congregation, there was a petition)--for several years. Being locked away had unintended consequences, it gave her a voice. Or perhaps the better way to phrase it, was instead of taking away her voice, it strengthened it. Instead of silencing her and hampering her circle of influence, it strengthened her voice, impassioned her, and gave her a life-long calling.

The book covers her life--and life's work--from 1860 onward. It discusses the rights--or lack of rights--for women, married women, for those women deemed insane. It covers laws, politics, and religion.

My thoughts: Elizabeth Packard is an author I'd never heard of before. I found her story--this biography--fascinating. It is a complex read. I would recommend for those who enjoy history, biography, legislation and law, politics, and culture.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

34. Stan Lee: How Marvel Changed the World

Stan Lee: How Marvel Changed the World. Adrian Mackinder. 2021. [May] 192 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence (from the prologue): Face Front, True Believer! Of all Stan Lee’s many catchphrases, this one is perhaps the most revealing. During his time as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, back in the 1960s, he used it wherever he could. Be it in a caption within the pages of a comic book story itself, or as part of regular editorial feature ‘Stan’s Soapbox’; ‘face front, true believer’ was a rallying cry for the ages.

First sentence from chapter one: To understand what makes a person tick, you need to wind back the clock. Our past informs our present, and what came before illuminates who we really are. Ask any storyteller. To relate to a character, you need to understand where they’ve been. There’s a reason we talk about life’s ‘defining moments’. There’s a reason we think the struggles and challenges we’ve endured in life ‘build character’. One of the reasons the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise has proved so successful is because the filmmakers took their time introducing their central characters before they became who they were destined to be. 

Premise/plot: This book is a biography of Stan Lee. It focuses a bit more on his career than on his personal, private life. (But I don't have a problem with that.) The subtitle really says all you need to know: How Marvel Changed the World.

It is one part biography of Stan Lee. And probably two parts the history of comic books, super heroes, and the translation of comic book super heroes onto television, film, and product lines (toys, etc.) It isn't just Stan Lee's story. It is the story of multiple publishing companies--including DC--over DECADES. It is the story of writers and illustrators. It is a story of collaborations and disagreements. It is a story of the fans--the readers and collectors. It is a story about public relations. Stan Lee marketing himself from a very young age as the face (and sometimes voice) of MARVEL. The last few chapters do focus on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a story of ups and downs. It wasn't only happy-happy-good times behind the scenes. Mackinder does a good job (in my opinion) of presenting multiple sides of an issue.

Do you need to be a super-dedicated fan to enjoy reading this biography? I wouldn't say SUPER fan as a requirement. But I think some interest in the Marvel Universe probably is a must.

It is detailed. But it is not as detailed as it might have been. It isn't marketing itself as an encyclopedia. I thought it gave enough information and detail to always provide context for understanding the bigger picture.

My thoughts: I definitely found this a compelling read. It isn't a traditional biography perhaps. I would say at least two-thirds of the book focuses on MARVEL--those who worked there, the characters created both heroes and villains, the story arcs, etc--and Marvel's place within the world. It seeks to provide not only an origin story for Stan Lee himself (Stanley Martin Lieber), but to provide an origin story for COMIC BOOKS and their place in publishing history. It is hard to imagine a world without super heroes--whether Marvel or DC.

I didn't find it dry. As I mentioned earlier, I found it compelling. I wouldn't be surprised if some chapters held more interest than others for readers. But overall, I do like this one! I learned so much!

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews