Product Description
1969 was Robert Redford's breakout year, when he starred with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Since that time he was continuously successful, either as an actor or director. His concern for the environment, particularly in the American West, has made him an important spokesman for conservation, often lending his name to causes and charities that help support preservation and endangered species. This comprehensive biography is based on extensive interviews with friends and colleagues, as well as assistance provided by Redford himself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

I got my copy from the library..and I STILL want my money back!!
As others have said rather consistently, 'disappointing' is the best description because the book was sold on the basis of it being new ('the first in two decades!'), unique ('based on extensive interviews with friends and colleagues!'and 'unauthorized' ('with assistance of Redford himself!'). The authors of this 'extensive' biography do three things very well indeed: They tear their subject largely to pieces, ignore most of the attributes that have made Redford and his films memorable, and finally, not least, suck dry every other well known book and interview that has been previously published. It appears they only really did 'extensive' interviews with unnamed individuals who, for the most part, have nothing decent to say about the man. Of Redford's 40 odd films, I dare say five escape a good beating. So, the reader often asks themselves, why did the authors even bother writing a book about such a talentless also-ran? To be fair, the authors do drop into some praise and half decent handling of the actor (if the piece is honest and includes some less than glowing reviews and stories, then so be it, a puff piece would have been equally wasteful), but these writers find so little to recommend in the man's life or work, that the praise is soon squashed by a careless and shallow approach to everything else. They do defend Redford after he's interviewed by a disappointed journalist who found the man didn't live up to expectation, but then they go back into lengthy explainations of how they find Redford disappointing as man and performer.
According to this book, the relationship between Redford and director Sidney Pollack was based on argument, competition, and jealousy, not to mention it appears their somewhat unique, longstanding record of making successful films was apparently an artistic failure. As it's for sure these two authors never went anywhere near Pollack or Redford, anything of historical value and interest in this book was lifted word for word from James Spada's book, 'The films of Robert Redford',which is still the only interesting biography of this actor, which was written many years ago. As I said, I borrowed my copy from the library, so I couldn't really ask for my money back.
The Films of Robert Redford

Dissapointed
The first 40 pages of this book was somewhat interesting. However, everything else was repetitious. Almost the entire book was about every film he starred in or directed......nothing new!

Rehasing nothing new
I just finished reading the book, and my suggestion is: skip it! Really! No way Redford contributed to this. The authors have used some well-known circulating interviews Redford gave throughout his carreer, with -even for casual fans- well-known quotes.

The authors contribute nothing new, there are no revelations of any sort, no funny bits. It's a rehash of public knowledge. And besides all that, the authors don't seem to like him very much. They are very critical of Redford, even negative and at times sarcastic. I was wondering why someone would want to write a book about a person they don't like and don't think is very special. They do compliment him on his acting here and there, and more so on his directing abilities, but it just doesn't balance out.
It's mostly about his movies, with tiny segments in between about his personal life. The book is poorly written. The authors state opinions and assumptions as facts on every other page, they contradict themselves on several occasions and they also repeat themselves, in almost the same words and sentences throughout the book. The last part, let's say from after Horse Whisperer to now (Unfinished Life) is rushed and the movies he did in that timeframe are a lot less detailed in description than his older projects.
Also, they go into the ups and downs of the Sundance Institute, festival and related organisations, but it's fragmentary. Every time I felt we were getting somewhere, the subject was over abruptly.

The book left a bad taste in my mouth.

Poor "Unauthorized" Bio of Redford - Disappointing
Wow, I do not know where to begin on this one. Robert Redford has always fascinated me from the time I was a child. Especially since I grew up in Utah, and part of my childhood was spent growing up on the slopes and mountains of Sundance. I saw his activism first hand, and also the evolution of the Sundance Film Festival,and his resort in Utah, which is somewhat frozen in time. On top of that, I'm a huge film buff, and some of his films have entertained me, and some have not. So, I was really looking forward to this book. What a disappointment. Written in a timeline based on his film chronology, which isn't altogether bad, but the author takes constant swipes at Redfords persona and attitudes, while not really examining why he may have been that way, and why altogether it may not be such a bad thing. Poorly written as a bio, and even worse as a movie critic. The opinions given on each particular film are not insightful, nor innovative. They lack true analysis, and are based upon heresay, and different reviews from periodicals of the time. Plus, I would wager that many would disagree with the reviews of certain films here. It also just glosses over Redfords passion of activism involving the environment. Why is he so passionate about it? We never really find out. Was it that he was a child in a desolate urban sprawl of LA, or what? I could go on and on about how poorly written this is as a bio, but I won't. It is even poor at developing a extensive filmography of Redford. this book falls short in so many ways. I do not recommend you waste your money on this book.....if you must, then buy it in six months on the discount shelf, because thats where it will end up. Honestly, I got more insight into Redford watching Iconoclasts on IFC in an hour than I did from this book, and it was infinitely more entertaining. I do not recommend this book.

Excellent and fair biography
Okay, this isn't a superficial fan's look at the life of Robert Redford, but a full-blooded account, good and bad, of the actor's life, career, and films. I found the book gave me good insight into the mind of this superstar, and there were plenty of behind the scenes details about his movies and co-stars, as well as numerous interviews. I think the authors were as objective as possible, and tried to explain his actions and see things from his point of view. They don't sugarcoat some negative opinions or make Redford out to be Laurence Olivier -- that's not the job of a biographer. They explain how Redford stayed on top for so many years and what got him there in the first place. Superficial fans who only want to read the positive may be disappointed, but this is a strong and serious biography of the actor-director. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

microview of "The West"
Not many have taken the time to see the areas Mr Redford covers in Outlaw Trail..outlaws didn't look like Paul Newman
or Robert Redford anymore than they do today. Men running from the law in the last century ended in cold, stark areas of the west that are still fairly undiscovered. This is an interesting read and nicely done by a man who has devoted much of his life to preserving and protecting our West. It is well worth protecting. The copy I received has seen much
attention, but that is a good thing...order a copy and learn about parts of our country that have remained remote, inhospitable, and a reminder of times past.

worst experience ever!!
This seller did not mention this was a library copy. The condition was too bad. My worst buying experience here. Better avoid this seller.

Follow the Trail
I checked Robert Redford's THE OUTLAW TRAIL out of the library to get a feel for a part of the western country I've never traveled. Jonathan Blair's photographs of the sights are fantastic and the lyrical style of Robert Redford's writing exposes another talent of this famous actor.
If you are a fan of the old west and westerns this graphic view of an often mentioned trail is an arm chair chance to follow it yourself. Your reading and understanding of the environment will be richer for the experience.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

Excellent!!!
I bought this when it was a few years old in a used book store. WHAT a FIND! Exceptional photography (and shots of Bob, what can I say, wow) and wonderful writing as well. Made me want to saddle up! A really great look at the west and the history we're losing day by day... Buy it!

A marvelously evocative book about the Old West
Some thirty years ago, after the release of the enormously successful film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", Robert Redford and several companions undertook a horseback exploration of the actual Outlaw Trail, the result of which is this most satisfying book on the Old West.The Trail begins at the Hole in the Wall, a natural fortress located in Wyoming, on the Atlantic side of the Continental Divide.It was here that outlaws plotted many of their train and coach robberies and where they fled to when they were done. The trail then proceeds over the Divide, through two small towns, Atlantic City and South Pass City, and into the Green/Colorado river basins and their sidelands.Covered in great detail are Browns Park, a natural basin above Canyon of the Lodore, Robber's Roost, a geological wonderland west and south of Canyonlands National Park, and Glen Canyon, flooded by "Lake" Powell.

Each chapter is well-written, carefully organized, and brings back the Old West in a manner too seldom seen. Especially interesting are the many old photographs of the outlaws who frequented the area.Also enjoyable are the photos of the old townsites and the non-outlaws who peopled them.For the most part, with some exceptions, the photos follow the text very well.

A special note, (tribute), must be offered regarding the work of Jonathan Blair, who served as the photographer on Redford's expedition.Blair's color photographs, especially of the Hole in the Wall and Robber's Roost, evidence an enormously gifted eye and exquisite timing.Blair uses these gifts to bring forth the country the way it really looks, and, having traveled much of that country by foot and vehicle myself, I was entranced by the excellence and accuracy of his work.

The book brings out reminiscences of how the country used to be, and what it is becoming aat the turn of every page.The very end is a poignnt scene where Redford interviews Lula Betenson, Butch Cassidy's youngest sister, who was 94.This piece, with Blair's photograph, is one of the finest samples of American non-fiction work, in my opinion.

If you love this part of the world, get the book, and it will be a centerpiece in your library.If you have never even been to any part of it, get the book anyway, just to see the land and read the sketches of the people who've made it what it is.

VERY, VERY highly recommended for one and all. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (14)

Prefabulous and sustainable homes
I was expecting more plans for homes with more details for cost savings on pre-fab homes.

Nice coffee table book. Not much depth.
Let's start of with the good. The book is beautiful. The photography is excellent, the layout is good and there is a nice variety of homes. It's a great book to flip through for someone ready to take on a mortgage and have a green home built for you. You can find your architect, builder and designer in the Resource List at the back of the book.

I think the text presentation leaves something to be desired. I do not need to read over and over the benefits of prefabrication. I really wish Ms. Koones had simply stated those benefits up front and then done the individual houses as case studies pointing out how each one accomplished the design goals. Ms. Koones does a fair job of explaining what goes into the houses to make them green, but never is the actual cost of any of those things mentioned. Some relative costs are discussed such as the concession to vinyl windows in one home, but not how much that actually cost or saved.

No where did I find the green aspect of a smaller house mentioned. There are only two houses under 1000 square feet and one of those was designed and built by the University of Maryland for just under $550,000. Ten houses are 1000-1999 square feet, 7 are 2000-2999, 4 are 3000-3999 and two are over 4000.

I would really like to see a book on affordable green building with hard data and some DIY information. If you never care to pick up a hammer or touch any of the materials of your home before it's complete you may love this book, but I wanted to know much more than the glossy overviews given here.

retirement home possiablities
While thinking of the future I think it is important to consider all options. Going green seems the best no only for myself but for everyone on the plant.This book is very interesting and will be very helpfull when I am ready to jump into this project.Prefabulous -sustainable highly recomended reading if you thinking of building/living green.

Another winner from housing expert Sheri Koones!
Sheri Koones won me over to the world of modular and prefabricated homes with her previous books.She has outdone herself with Prefabulous + Sustainable by tapping into the nation's new desire to be more ecologically conscious.The homes depicted are not only beautiful, but within reach of many homeowners and are much more energy-efficient than traditional houses.This is an important and timely book.

Not just good looks - a broad spectrum
I'd like to weigh in specifically on the comment stating that this book is about Euro style houses. In full disclosure, I designed one of the buildings in this book, but far from slanting my opinion, it puts me in a better place to address some of Pixel's thoughts. The book covers a design of ours, built in Lawrence MA, one of the poorest communities in the state - the poverty rate is more than three times the state average and double that of the rest of the US. Our mission was to create a capital "A" Affordable house that was also stylish, healthy and energy efficient. Modular was one tool we used to get us there, among many others. I personally feel that the genius of this book is that it has BOTH Euro (perhaps expensive) houses AND houses like ours that were constructed at well below the regional average cost, despite its desne, urban infill location. If anything, the spectrum of styles and price points illustrated here shows folks that "green" does not have to look like anything in particular or cost any more than a "normal" house. I think painting innovative, sustainable housing and this book with one big brush "misses the boat".
... Read more

Product Description
A biography of Robert Redford from the author of several other biographies, including those of James Cagney, Burt Lancaster and Harrison Ford. The author has also written a novel called "Clean Break". ... Read more

Product Description
ROBERT REDFORD has played many Westerners on the big screen: a romantic outlaw in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) with Paul Newman, a sheriff in Tell Them Willie Boy is Here (1968), a mountain man in Jeremiah Johnson (1972), a rodeo cowboy in The Electric Horseman (1979) with Jane Fonda, a Montana rancher in The Horse Whisperer (1998), which he also directed. He is the founder of Sundance, an admirer of Native American art and culture and a committed environmentalist. He embodies the best values of the American West. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Robert Redford and the American West
As a Robert Redford fan, I enjoyed this publication, but it is a collection of previously published quotes.Not much new and it did ramble a bit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

100 years of inspiration
One of the joys of travel is periodically making lists of various places: ten best food or wine experiences, ten most difficult hikes, ten most beautiful (often verging into most inspiring), etc. etc. In this last category I usually include Yosemite, Delphi, Taormina, South Georgia and, always, Zion.

Zion has been a national park for a hundred years, and this lovely volume beautifully reproduces over 60 paintings and photographs that have inspired a wide range of artists. Roland Lee captures one such moment in this book:

"I watched the desert turn into a fairyland of waterfalls and rivers. I saw the forces of nature at work, witnessed the ongoing creation of Zion Canyon by the Master Artist. It was too wet to use my camera or a sketchbook or paints. I was left to record the experience in the best way possible--with my eyes and heart.

"When the rain subsided my senses were wide open to the world around me. The smell of crisp, wet air and fresh rain washed over me like an ocean wave. Droplets sparkled like little jewels on the pine needles and standing pools blinded me with reflected sunlight. Even though the rain had stopped, the show continued for hours with waterfalls cascading down cliff faces. How could a person be this fortunate? I felt I was the luckiest person alive at that moment.

"In truth, I have had many moments like that in my life. Moments when I had to stop, look around, and say, "Is anyone else looking at this?" And I know it's not luck. It is simply the reward Nature offers for being aware of the landscape around us.

"As an artist, I have taken my sketchbooks all over the world. I've never been to a place I didn't like. The world is truly full of magnificent places. But some places keep calling you home. For me, that place is Zion National Park. I will never stop exploring its canyons, looking for that special view, and marveling as I witness the Master Creator painting with water, wind, and time."

No photograph or painting can equal actually being there, of course, but its also useful to see how others have been inspired by this wonderful place. The curators at the Saint George Art Museum have done an excellent job of choosing representative pictures and this catalog has enduring value, especially in view of how well the images have been reproduced.

Robert C. Ross 2009

Fantastic overview
This broad collection of artwork depicting Zion National park is from a museum show commemorating the park's centennial. I had never seen many of the paintings, including the incredible painting by Maynard Dixon (on the cover). There are other paintings by lesser known historical artists as well as contemporary paintings by artists of diverse vision. The reproductions are generally excellent, with just a few seeming to lack the color verisimilitude I expect in a modern publication.

The only reason some may not enjoy this collection is its eclectic nature. While there is something for everyone, not all the pieces will be to everyone's tastes.

The succinct forward by Robert Redford is interesting (I didn't know parts of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were filmed in Zion National Park), and other essays are engaging as well. Plus, there is an interview of noted watercolorist Roland Lee that will be of special interest to watercolor aficionados. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in trade paperback-the revolutionary new diet and health program for the millions who suffer from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States with an estimated 17 million people diagnosed with the disease and millions more at risk. With attention focused on blood sugar and insulin levels, however, the underlying cause of all the devastation-excess acidity of the body-has been overlooked. A nationally known microbiologist and nutritionist changes all that with this diet and lifestyle plan designed for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. With advice on which foods to eat, which to avoid, and delicious recipes, as well as guidance on managing stress and exercising safely, Dr. Young's program balances the body's pH, controlling acidity and helping to reverse diabetes-or stop it before it starts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

The pH Miracle for Diabetes
Another great book to help diabetics manage their blood sugar and/or conquer it entirely.The information is easy to read and understand.The recipes at the back of the book are delicious and easy to prepare.Very useful and helpful information.

Cure of Dibetes - Unheard Of
What can anyone say? There is a cure. My son was diagnosed a little over a year ago and we have maintained his blood sugar in just a few days. I was one to worry about getting insulin for my son if there was an emergency. Now I know there are alternative solutions. Break away from the control freak pharmaceutical & food industries and go with what's euphoric. Read this...... You will feel a natural buzz if you incorporate it yourself.

Referred to this book by a cousin
I have a good friend who is having some serious health issues, diabetes among them / A cousin of mine who is into natural cures recommended this book highly / She told methat after following the advice in this book for 2 weeks, two of her friends were able to stop taking some of their medications & never felt better / I hope my friend takes it seriously & gives it an honest try / This was an excellent buy for a used hardcover - less than half the paperback cost at Borders Books - (including shipping) / Thanks !

Diaebetic and Ph balance diet for health
this book purchase was a hunch but several friends have looked into it and all have been impressed.I would buy it again. Best wishes

Ph Miracle in Practice
I bought this book for my daughter sake.She is almost 10 yrs old, and was diagnosed with type I Diabetes 1.5 ago. I looked into alternative medicine and found Dr. Young book.
I read it,and read it again and again!I was trying to envision how I will be able to make it happened...

We are family with 5 children, and it does mean that I would have to cook something else for the rest of the family till we get comfortable with this diet.

First thing I tried was AvoRado Kid Super GreenShake.I couldn't drink it!I realized that my daughter not going to like it either.I offered it for my husband to try.It took him 30 min. to drink ½ cup of it,while making faces and grunting.After that he ran to refrigerator for a cup of fruit juice .

This week me and my husband decided that we surely will start the diet, and week later introduce our daughter to it.

First day, after drinking green drink in the morning, I had Creamy or Crunchy Broccoli Soup.It is basically a bunch of different vegetables cooked in water or broth with very little seasoning to it.It wasn't too bad.But after bowl of it, I couldn't imagine having another one.Even week later...
Well, we couldn't continue past two days of trying...

I got impression that Shelley Young doesn't spends much time creating this recipes.Idea is that if you put together something alkaline, it is goodfor you. Taste of it doesn't matter. I may research Mediterraneancuisine for soups recipes, or just any other vegetable soup recipes...

Some of the ingredients you will have to order on-line.They are hard to find even at health food stores.

Finding and buying all the supplements is another problem.Dr. Young sells all recommended supplements on his web site, but it is very expensive, although different ones are combined, so it is minimizes quantity of pills you will be taken.If you buy everything he recommends, you'll spend over $500 dollars per person.

But I am still not giving up!I do have some of the supplements, I did buy green powder at local health food store ("Green Vibrance"), and we did buy Ph drops.

I am determined to try most of the recipes in this book, since I already invested so much time in this, and money. I cannot just give up. I need to continue for my daughter sake.

Just came to find a good book of alkaline recipes. Oh, my!Shelly Young bookBack to the House of Health: Rejuvenating Recipes to Alkalize and Energize for Life new $99.00, used $40.00!

Are they after money, or what??

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Nice pics !
This book is full of nice, nostalgic pictures of the past. My only regret is that there's very, very little about Muscle Beach. I think this aspect of Santa Monica would have deserved more coverage.
But the book is nice, ayway.

Interesting read for fans of the pier
As a person who has spent a great deal of time on the Santa Monica Pier, I found this book absolutely engrossing and nearly impossible to put down.I'm not much in the way of a history buff (or that much of a reader for that matter) but Harris' book is full of short, easily digestible and, more often than not, fascinating stories about the first 100 years of the Santa Monica Pier.You can open the book anywhere and start reading, but it's interesting enough to start at page one and read from cover to cover.The author has really done his research. The archival photographs, illustrations and posters in this book are fun to peruse and add help set the atmosphere and tone of the early pier days.I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a special place in their hearts for the Santa Monica Pier or the city of Santa Monica.

I gave the book 5 stars as there is no half star rating, but I would deduct half a star for a lack of an index and for the book's busy page layouts which aren't quite as classy or professional looking as the text.

The price on Amazon is quite a bargain for a book full of color pages that I would be happy to put on my coffee table.

A few fun facts about the pier I never knew until reading this volume:
1)The pier was constructed in 1909 for the practical purpose of providing a structure to cart Santa Monica's sewage away from the beaches (sewage + swimmers = yuck).The whole pleasure pier phenomenon came later in the pier's history.
2)Elzie Crisler Segar, creator of the character Popeye, based his drawing and characterizations after a local sailor who frequented the pier
3) At one time you could catch a ferry to Catalina Island from the pier deck.There was also a ferry in the 1930's to a gambling ship anchored a few miles off the coast (a fun story complete with mobsters, a standoff and the whole bit) ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the popular actor who starred in the films, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Sting," and "All the President's Men." ... Read more