Dan's Instant Book Review: Hollywood, The Oral History

If you're really a movie junkie; if you're fascinated with Hollywood and its galaxy of stars; if you miss the days of the big Hollywood studios; if you wanna delve deep into American pop culture; if classic black and white movies still tempt you, then you'll absolutely love Hollywood, The Oral History.

We must warn you however -- at more than 700 pages this is not a book for the casual reader. 

But it's all worth it. Because, culled from actual interviews assembled over many decades by the American Film Institute, you'll discover the story of Hollywood told by the people who built the town and its most famous product. In their own words actors, writers, directors, film editors, set designers, lighting experts, cinematographers, publicity reps, producers, fashion designers, casting directors, talent agents, makeup artists, moguls and so many more speak vividly and frankly about Hollywood -- how it came to be; why it endured and what it must do to continue to survive in a changing world.

And yes, you'll get the lowdown on all the luminaries from stars of the silent screen to the present day. One of the things that impressed me the most was how hard so many people worked in the early days of the movies to build and sustain a genuine American art form. The hours were long, the work was grueling and there were many casualties along the way. It was all completely new, daring, risky and audacious with absolutely no guarantee of success. And the peril was repeated all over again with the advent of sound.

This is a book you can return to again and again and one that is worth making a part of your permanent collection. It's a real treasure trove!