Product Description
Drawing on more than 100 interviews with family and friends, colleagues and contemporaries, and Harrison Ford himself, entertainment journalist Garry Jenkins gives us the first complete portrait of a flawed and fallible screen hero, a man scarred yet strengthened by his experiences. of photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

very good
a very good biography with lots of detailed stories about Harrison Ford. the author didnt try to make Harrison Ford "perfect", it's just telling a story and leave it to the readers to decide for themselves.

Harry, You Rock!
Before I read this book, I thought Harrison Ford was a selfish and air-headed movie star. It proved me wrong. I learned about his struggle through his childhood, his rise to fame and how he is a perfectionist, finding that just by being myself, I have lots in common with the man who created wonderful heroes such as Indiana Jones, Han Solo and Jack Ryan, to name a few. He is selfless and modest, a condition hard to find in a movie star.
So if Mr. Harrison is reading this-keep making great movies, sir, and I'll keep watching and rooting for you all the way!

Go Harry Go
It's alright that the author didn't speak with Ford while writing and researching this unathorized biography.Often the person being written about can clarify something that isn't clear.Often, the person being written about can put a positive spin on some event in an attempt to make themself look better.This is a good book about the humble actorthat looked at his pre-success years, going back to his mid-west roots, marriage, and the ups-and-downs of his experience in the film industry, which was covered a lot.How did Harry get that scar?....the answers lies within these pages.One interesting note is the story of a young producer, writer and director who made a movie in the 70s.At the screening, many movie moguls approached the young creator and told him bluntly that his film would be a flop, no one would see it, and his career may be in jeopardy after producing such a poor piece of work.The name of the movie was......."Star Wars."The man was George Lucas.

A More Balanced View....
The are a couple things to note when reading this book.First, is that it is unauthorized which doesn't mean that the author does not have to "sugarcoat" Harrison Ford.Sounds like a great book.Second is that the book is unauthorized...conversely, the author does not seem to have spoken with Harrison Ford.

Unlike other unauthorized biographies, this book doesn't make a big production of it.The author is not trying to sell this book on scandal.The sell is on the picture behind what you usually hear or read.From going through the notes, the author has interviewed quite a few people and has gone through a lot of background information to create this.

The book reads easily, and I don't find myself questioning the author.All his statements about Harrison Ford, like his being a perfectionist, follows from the supporting evidence.The author also does not jump around.It all flows logically.

Harrison Ford is an American movie icon.This book allows you to look at the experiences and attitudes which got him there.If you are a fan of Harrison Ford, then I would suggest you take a deep breath before reading.The author is not trying to make him into a saint.

Experienced Bio Author At Work
If you enjoyed this novel, the same author wrote a biography on Daniel Day Lewis which is just as interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
As the Hero of STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES with his legendary hat and whip, Harrison Ford is just an ordinary man in the street that anyone can identify with. HF is certainly no poser; he leads a quiet life (despite a succession of wives, which is about par for the course), and his seductive charm eminates from his simplicity and intelligence. The actor is a genius (the best paid actor in Hollywood), spilling over with ideas during his film shoots. A perceptive biography from a true fan moved by both the man and the actor....who will soon be back on the screen as Indiana Jones! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Disappointing
This is a coffeetable book, filled with gorgeous color photographs, and that is the book's one saving grace.

It is also filled with dramatically incorrect information, culled from inaccurate sources.

If all you're looking for is some eye candy, this is for you.

If you're seeking correct and authenticated information about the actor, look elsewhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Intersting Read
I bought a copy of this book a few years back and couldn't put it down. Great job, very informative, very enjoyable.

Don't let the size fool you !
Despite being only 132 pages, this little book is quite the read. Robert Abele profiles actor Harrison Ford's life to date in a detailed and thoroughly entertaining manner. Illustrated with 52 B&W photographs from throughout Ford's lifetime, and a timeline of his life and films through the years, this is a must have for any fan of Harrison Ford. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Useful and entertaining...
This book is really useful, as it provides an easy reference to Harrison Ford's films and allows the reader to find the ones that are worth watching.

Besides the blurbs of reviews and general information on the movies, however, this book is made really interesting (and at times really funny too) because of the stories about the production experience for each of the movies that it includes as well. Seriously, it is hard to imagine, when viewing the finished products, the disasterous, strange, and hysterical events that occurred during the making of some of the films.

So, if you are a fan of Harrison Ford or are just a big movie fan who is especially interested in behind-the-scenes type information, this book is highly recommended. If you don't care for either of the above things, why are you looking here anyhow?

It was really, really informative!
This was one of THE best HF books I have read!(It's one of the ONLY ones!)Even if you hate HF you would like this book! It has many off-screen photos. It has SO many pictures!The only thing I can say is, READ IT!!!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Harrison Ford has been labeled one of the top 100 stars of all time, the sexiest man alive, and the highest-grossing actor in the history of film, yet he still has the appeal of an average guy to whom the common man can relate. He has worked in more than 40 films, as well as in narration roles, documentaries, award shows, and television appearances. He has won more than two dozen awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.

This biographical and filmographic work covers Ford's personal life and career, concentrating on his efforts in the film industry. It examines in great detail more than 30 films, including American Graffiti, the several Star Wars outings, Blade Runner, The Fugitive, and Air Force One. It discusses the films' inceptions, writing, casting, sets, schedules, stunts, filming obstacles, openings, earnings, controversies, and reviews. Quotes and intimate anecdotes from the casts and crews are an added bonus. Numerous photographs, a complete film and television listing, a bibliography and index complete the work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The Definitive Filmography
Just the kind of book I was looking for. Being a huge fan of Harrison Ford films I wanted to read something to the point - the making of his movies. This is precisely what you get from Brad Duke's extremely well researched and complete book. Having this book along with my Netflix subsciption and I was in Harrison Ford film school. A book like this can add so much enjoyment to the movie watching experience. I would love to see more books exactely like this one for other great actors such as Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or any other you care to name. Duke's style is perfect for film fans who want to aquire a deeper knowledge of the films and actors they admire without the celebrity hoopla and nonsense and on the other hand without the over the top intellectualism of much film criticism that stuffs the shelves of most book stores. In conclusion, an excellent read and a very useful reference for the work of one of the finest actors of the last 40 years. A must for all fans.

Interesting book for Ford fans
This is truly very well documented book about Ford's life and his films. The author goes into great detail about his films (maybe too much detail) and you will learn something new about Ford and his films. That is a promise. I thought I knew almost all there is to know about man - I was mistaken. But I have two complaints. First is the fact that all the photos in the book are in black and white. Not a big issue but I would have liked to see some color photos. And the second and more important is that if you are not a true 100% fan of Harrison Ford, the author's method may get boring. Although an excellent book, the author doesn't use much variety. Each chapter is filled with the same kind of information. Why Ford accepted the role, how the director got involed, how the script got wriiten, some technical element and the location, what Ford thought of the project, how it was received by critics and how much money it made. Finally we have Ford's view on the project. And although great for us Ford fans, it will certainly be a bit boring for the average reader midway through the book. But nevertheless this is a very good book for Ford fans and the best thing about this book is that it tells much more about Ford and his views than the previous books about Ford. There are more Ford quotes than in previous books. Usually it is mainly what Ford's co-worker and old school friend said about him. This is more what Ford has said and those closest to him. Therefore I recommend this book for everybody who are interesting in books about films/actors but warn the average reader that it may get tiresome midway through the book.

Very, Very Informative Look at One of the Greatest....
Despite it being a tad pricey, this book is incredibly well researched - and if you're a true Ford fan - well worth the price. It truly reads like a textbook in that there's no fluff to get in the way of the facts. Mr. Duke tells the story of Ford's life chronologically and goes into - dare I say, graphic - detail into the making of his films.
Just when you thought you knew everything about the legend, it's time to think again...

Definitive Harrison Ford Filmography
'Harrison Ford: The Films' is infinitely detailed and exhaustingly researched in a way that other books simply are not.Fans and film students will find this to be a substantive and well written source for information on both Mr. Ford himself, and the trials and tribulations of film making. Moreover, Mr. Duke's work is absorbing and entertaining - not merely a bland list of the actor's acomplishments, but a witty and reverant discussion of Mr. Ford's career and life.The author graciously omits the cheap "gossip" that so often finds its way into such works, while including a well rounded look at Mr. Ford's origins and personal achievements.

In short, this book is a MUST for any Ford fan or film buff!

The most outstanding book about the most outstanding actor
Brad Duke's years of research, interviews and extensive travel have paid off in the biggest of ways in the form of 'Harrison Ford: The Films'.Duke's chronological peek at the stellar career of Harrison Ford is unarguably the most thorough, complete and compelling work that has ever come to the literary marketplace.
Commencing with Harrison's working class upbringing and intricately weaving it's way through years of legendary films, directors, actors, friends and business associates, 'Harrison Ford:The Films' could certainly be used as a textbook in a college course about Ford's life and career.This extraordinary book gives the reader a fly-on-the-wall look at the reclusive star's life, loves, personal passions, films and little-known philanthropic efforts.It is a rare feat when a Hollywood-themed book can manage to side-step gossip and innuendo and wind up with a true and accurate depiction of a man, an actor, a crazy business and the passion that fuels all three.
Utilizing little-known stories and interviews with industry big-wigs and insiders, the reader is "a-FORD-ED" with a rare glimpse of the movie industry and all it's workings and complications.Duke further encourages the reader with the use of easy-to-understand terminology and funny stories that, some of which, until now, have not been committed to print.You will certainly find this an easy read and an extremely insightful and funny look at the world's most popular movie star. Starting with Harrison's earliest work in television, the book faithfully chronicals the trials, tribulations and triumphs in such areas as co-stars, film budgets, script problems, studio clashes, risky stunt work and the toll that his work has taken on Mr. Ford himself.
I bought the book when it first came out and did not put it down until I was finished reading it.I found it poignant, interesting, insightful and absolutely charming.I'm sure you will too.
... Read more

Product Description
Harrison Ford is a living legend, the most successful actor in cinema history. His films have made him more money at the box office than those of any other actor. Six of his films, the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" trilogies, rank as some of the most popular films of all time. This book looks at the extraordinary life and career of this actor, to date, discussing his cinema work and seeking to unmask the real character behind the films. ... Read more

Product Description

How To Gamble At The Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like A Chicken, by James Harrison Ford, gives easily understandable, expert advice on Casino Gambling in a light-hearted manner.It advises readers on which games give them the best possibilities and how to play them correctly.

It covers all major casino games: Blackjack, most Video Poker varieties, Craps, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Slot Machines, Keno, Big Six Wheel, Roulette, Sports Book, Caribbean Stud Poker, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, War and several miscellaneous promotional games.It also contains explanations of Gambling Systems, the House Percentage, Probability and Possibility, Gambler's Ruin, and Money Management.

Not only does this book give clear, concise advice on the best games to play and how to play them, it unequivocally points out which games should be avoided so you don't get plucked like a chicken. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Gamble Wisely During A Recession!
Dr. Ford, who according to the book is a mathematician, has painstakingly done the near infinite computations necessary to truly predict the odds of each popular casino game. This is invaluable. Other books may tell you what hands to hold, this books literally puts its money where its mouth is, showing tables of probabilities to reference. The tongue-in-cheek style is quite refreshing, and Dr. Ford never once "guaranteed" me that I would win using his system, for which I am infinitely grateful. If these magic systems worked, why aren't the authors rich, lounging in Vegas on pool chairs having grapes fed to them by nubile young people?

I can't recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a real way to get the edge over the house percentage, without kooky gimmicks. Dr Ford tells you which games have the best odds, which hands have the best chance of winning, and what "action" to stay away from.

Classic Guide to Winning

"How to Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like a Chicken" is an excellent guide to becoming a winner.It explains how to play all the major casino games like a pro.For some games (Sucker Games) it flat out tells you that the right way to play the game is to keep your money in your pocket.

It explains that only some versions of Blackjack and a few video poker games actually can be beaten over the long haul without counting the freebies that the casinos give you for playing.If you count the value of the freebies, a few more games, like Baccarat, Craps, Pai Gow Poker and some slot machines have generous enough odds that you can actually come out ahead playing them.The book is very specific about exactly which games you should play and how to play them, as well as which games are strictly for losers and can't be beaten regularly.

Before you take your money to the casino, you should read this book so that you don't get plucked like a chicken and don't look like an idiot.It doesn't guarantee that you WILL win, but it shows you how to get the best odds so that you CAN win.

Entertaining and Fun with Good Information
Many gambling books are dull reads, even if they give the best possible analyses of the games and how to play them intelligently, so it is great to read a book that is enjoyable and, at the same time, informative. This book gets high grades in those areas. Definitely worth reading.

Frank Scoblete: author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

A view point worthy to read
I liked the way the author wrote. It was an easy read.The video poker section maybe outdated by now because casinos change machines so often.

You Really Should Read This Book
If you are only going to read one book on gambling, this is the one you should read.It covers just about every casino game of any consequence and gives you the essential information about each game with a minimum of blather.

This book doesn't promise to make you rich, but it sure can keep you from looking like an idiot.The best part is that it is a pleasant read.It makes the details easy enough to understand so that you can become a competent gambler without having to have a PhD in mathematics.

Even if you don't go to casinos to gamble, this book explains the factors that make it possible to win more often than you lose - for all kinds of games.That's why you really should read this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Step behind the scenes of Oscar winner Steven Spielberg's closed set to explore the perils that wait in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: A Photographic Journal. Dr. Jones dons his hat and holsters his whip for another death-defying adventure into the uncharted provinces of history in the latest film of the Indiana Jones series. Pit against the sinister ambitions of the Soviet empire, he must take vigilante action to save the world from the uncanny threats of ancient evils. From the jungles of the Amazon to the bazaars of Morocco we follow the cast and crew through the landscapes, cinematic battles, and diverse sets that challenged filmmakers for five months of shooting. Witness how the dark myths of Mayan mythology were brought to life, the reconstruction of early Cold War environments, and how Harrison Ford performed his own stunts in his most physically demanding role to date. From concept to cutting room floor access the creative force behind Indiana Jones and leap beyond
screen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A must have for any Indy fan!
My 6yr old son and his father both avid Indy fans love this book and snuggle up and look through it at night.The pics are great!

Must have for the Indy fan.
If you liked the movie, you'll like this book.If you didn't like the movie...there's no talking to you...and you'll still like this book.The photos are superb looking.I've never seen pictures printed so clear in a book before.I tend to like behind the scenes photos and there are plenty of them in here.To begin each chapter there is a one or two page summary of events describing the authors travels and thoughts.Each photo has a brief description of what is taking place and how it was photographed.Also, my book has no scratches whatsoever as described in the review below.Enjoy!

Beautiful pictures and printquality
This book has beautiful pictures and the quality of the printing is great. However the last page with the colophon had some serieus black and gray scratches. Those are not acceptable for the quality books Insight Editions brings out. There should be a better quality control on such books ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

World Nature
Excellent book...great resource and testament about how beautiful our World is and potentially reminder what we are slowly but surely ruining around us!

A Hefty Treasure
This is a massive book.It is really much too large to easily read unless you sit down with it and prop it on a table.The weight and size make it a bit uncomfortable to read and that is a shame as it has such good content and is a very important and timely book about the earth's biodiversity crisis.

Hotspots are areas of the earth that harbor unusually high concentrations of plants, birds, mammals, fish and other species out of proportion to their small area.Examples are the cloud forests of the Andes and the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil.Most of these areas are threatened by logging or other development and biologists are racing to catalog and describe all that is there as the conservationists struggle to protect portions of the areas.This book shows with gorgeous images the beauty of these rare places and helps to explain their immense value through the text, tables and charts for each region.

There is much to learn from the pages of this book and to appreciate from the images taken across the world.I too would recommend sharing this book with friends but would recommend a weight lifting program before hauling this off to your reading room.

First Rate Summary of Planetary Biodiversity and How to Go About Saving It
It isn't often that a sumptuous coffee table book is both visually appealing and scientifically packed with well-researched data. Hotspots Revisited hits the mark on both scores. This updated revision of the 1999 edition of Hotspots expands the number of planetary hotspots to 35. This is an information-packed compendium on those areas of our planet that are species-rich and home to the highest levels of species endemism. The book acknowledges that all biodiversity is important and that all nations and communities must do everything possible to protect our planet's rich biological heritage. Life, however, is not evenly distributed around the world and because of this fact, this volume presents a convincing and forceful rationale for adopting the hotspot strategy for prioritizing areas for biological conservation. This is done by summarizing the distributions of plants and vertebrate animals in a way that is both comprehensive and intelligible to even the lay reader who does not have an extensive background in the biological sciences. This volume is both a visual feast and a celebration of life. It is hard to set it aside once you have opened it. Without a doubt, it is one of the best bargains of any book offered by Amazon.com and should be required reading for all governmental and private organizations charged with saving our natural resources at a time when the fabric of life on planet Earth is being threatened by overexploitation, environmental destruction, violent conflict, and countless other factors. Buy it, read it thoroughly, learnmore stunning facts about planetary geography and biodiversity than you have probably ever been exposed to at one sitting, and by all means loan it to a friend once you have immersed yourself in this model expose of our planet's extraordinary biodiversity. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1895 while on a trip from Selma to Mobile, Alabama, a young boy helps a black servant escape the harsh riverboat captain. Includes a factual section about the history of riverboat travel on Alabama waterways. ... Read more