Working on a Dream

Working on a Dream

Author: David Masciotra

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 2010-01-28

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 0826425054

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Working On a Dream is a powerful and engaging study of this songwriter and performer's art. Springsteen has consistently summoned his creative power and artistic vision to indict political developments and demand the cultivation of a more compassionate and progressive society.


What Would Sipowicz Do?

What Would Sipowicz Do?

Author: Glenn Yeffeth

Publisher: Benbella Books

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 187

ISBN-13: 1932100342

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An examination of the culturally influential television show NYPD Blue furnishes incisive essays on topics ranging from the portrayal of race relations in New York to an analysis of Sipowicz's thorny demeanor. Original.


Literary Cash

Literary Cash

Author: Bob Batchelor

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2009-06-22

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 1935251600

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The legendary lyrics of Johnny Cash are the inspiration for this collection of extraordinarily creative works that provides a new spin on this musical legend. For nearly five decades, Cash captivated audiences with his unique voice and candid portrayal of the gritty life of a working man, and his songs continue to strike a chord with listeners today. But it is the stories behind the music that remain with audiences and provide the inspiration for the work in this thoughtful compilation of fiction and non-fiction from contributors such as Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Don Cusic, Gretchen Moran Laskas, Amanda Nowlin, and Russell Rowland.


Revisiting Narnia

Revisiting Narnia

Author: Shanna Caughey

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2009-06-22

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 1935251481

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Theologians, psychologists, academics, feminists, and fantasists offer humor, insight, and fresh perspectives on the enchanting and beloved Chronicles of Narnia series. Such contributors as fantasists Sarah Zettel and Lawrence Watt-Evans, children's literature scholar Naomi Wood, and C.S. Lewis scholars Colin Duriez and Joseph Pearce discuss topics such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Middle Earth's influence on the conception of Narnia, the relevance of allegory for both Christians and non-Christians, the idea of divine providence in Narnia, and Narnia's influence on modern-day witchcraft. Fans of the wildly popular series will revel in the examination of all aspects of C.S. Lewis and his magical Narnia.


Webslinger

Webslinger

Author: Gerry Conway

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2009-06-22

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 9781935251521

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The tangled web of vengeance, love, and loss woven by Spider-Man comics and films is explored in this collection of insightful essays by acclaimed writers of comics and science fiction. A variety of topics—from the superhero's sarcasm to the science behind radioactive spiders—are discussed in essays on "Turning Rage into Responsibility: A Psychology of Loss," "Love Is Selfish: Can a Hero Afford Personal Attachments?," and "Self Identity and Costume Design." The popular rival Green Goblin, the bumbling-yet-influential media, and the part New York City itself plays in stories are skillfully explored, as is the overall philosophy of mild-mannered Peter Parker and Spidey's relationship with the rest of the characters in the Marvel universe.


Perfectly Plum

Perfectly Plum

Author: Leah Wilson

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2007-06-01

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 193525118X

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Speculating about the cultural metaphors in Janet Evanovich's wildly popular mystery series (which includes 11 books, from One for the Money to Eleven on Top), this anthology takes a look at lingerie-buyer-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum and catalogs her bad luck with cars (she's blown up quite a few), her good luck with men, her unorthodox approach to weapon storage, and the rich tapestry of her milieu: Trenton, New Jersey, also known as The Burg. The contributors praise the way the series smartly spoofs that familiar chick-lit epiphany—I have a bad job and what I really want is a good man!—in Bounty Hunting as a Metaphor for Dating, Why Stephanie Should Quit Her Job … but Never Will, and Nothing Better than a Bad Boy Gone Good. Several essays veer from the chick-lit perspective and focus instead on the comic theme of luck and chance that ties Stephanie to the barroom gamblers and gangster meanies of her home town in Luck of the Italian?: Skill versus Chance.


Farscape Forever!

Farscape Forever!

Author: Glenn Yeffeth

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2015-01-06

Total Pages: 227

ISBN-13: 1941631401

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Science fiction and fantasy authors analyze every aspect of the innovative, action-packed, and always surprising science fiction television series Farscape in this innovative and irreverent essay collection. Contributors include Martha Wells on characters Crichton and D'Argo's buddy relationship, P. N. Elrod on the villains she loves to hate, and Justina Robson on sex, pleasure, and feminism. Topics range from a look at how Moya was designed and an examination of vulgarity and bodily functions to a tourist's budget guide to the Farscape universe and an expert's advice to the peacekeepers who, despite their viciousness, never quite seem to pull it off. Fun, accessible, entertaining, and insightful, these musings will appeal to every admirer of this intriguing television series.


Star Wars on Trial: The Force Awakens Edition

Star Wars on Trial: The Force Awakens Edition

Author: David Brin

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2015-11-03

Total Pages: 315

ISBN-13: 1942952058

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Order in the Court! Star Wars: the most significant, powerful myth of the twenty-first century or morally bankrupt military fantasy? Six films. Countless books. $20 billion in revenue. No one can question the financial value or cultural impact of the Star Wars film franchise. But has the impact been for the good? In Star Wars on Trial's courtroom—Droid Judge presiding—Star Wars stands accused of elitist politics and sexism, religious and ethical lapses, the destruction of literary science fiction and science fiction film, and numerous plot holes and logical gaps. Supported by a witness list of bestselling science fiction authors, David Brin (for the prosecution) and Matthew Woodring Stover (for the defense) debate these charges and more before delivering their closing statements. The verdict? That's up to you. Covering the films from A New Hope to The Force Awakens, Brin and Stover provide new forewords that explore the newest generation of Star Wars films and what JJ Abrams must do to live up to—or redeem—the franchise.


The Jack Reacher Field Manual

The Jack Reacher Field Manual

Author: George Beahm

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2016-01-19

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 1941631037

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You don't know Jack—Jack Reacher, that is . . . In The Jack Reacher Field Manual: An Unofficial Companion to Lee Child's Reacher Novels, from ex-Army major and New York Times bestselling author George Beahm, get up-close and personal with Reacher like never before. The only book of its kind, the Field Manual draws on 17 years of interviews, novels, stories, and more to demystify author Lee Child's larger-than-life, name-taking, quick-thinking one-man avenger. Child calls the Reacher novels "almost entirely autobiographical," and The Jack Reacher Field Manual seamlessly integrates the literary creator and his creation to provide the most complete portrait of Jack Reacher available. Dive into Jack Reacher's life with: - A detailed dossier on Reacher and his life at West Point and in the Army's Military Police Corps - Reacher's rules of engagement, including how he handles a street brawl - A full-color drifter's roadmap of the US, detailing the places Reacher has visited in the novels - Reacher's philosophy for surviving under the radar - A biography on Child and an A-to-Z list of the key people, places, and things in his life - And more, including a glossary of US Army acronyms that appear in the series and a comprehensive reading list of Reacher novels, novellas, and stories The Jack Reacher Field Manual belongs in the fatigue jacket of any fan craving more information about this internationally popular literary antihero.


Halo Effect

Halo Effect

Author: Glenn Yeffeth

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Published: 2007-03-11

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 1933771119

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Halo Effect is an unauthorized collection of essays on the bestselling video game Halo. Examining the Halo phenomenon from every angle—from profiling the greatest Halo player who ever lived to providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the wildly popular, virtual-reality Halo movies—this guide is the ultimate companion for anyone who wants to truly understand this amazingly successful video game. With discussions on the role of religion and science in the game, this collection of essays also looks into the creation of and community reaction to the launch of the Halo series.