Shawn Levy Book order

"Today, women are ascendant in standup comedy, even preeminent. They make headlines, fill arenas, spawn blockbuster movies. But before Amy Schumer slayed, Tiffany Haddish killed, and Ali Wong drew roars, the very idea of a female comedian seemed, to most of America, like a punchline. And it took a special sort of woman-indeed, a parade of them-to break and remake the mold. In on the Joke is the story of a group of unforgettable women who knocked down the doors of standup comedy so other women could get a shot. It spans decades, from Moms Mabley's rise in Black vaudeville between the World Wars, to the roadhouse ribaldry of Belle Barth and Rusty Warren in the '50s and '60s, to Elaine May's co-invention of improv comedy, to Joan Rivers' and Phyllis Diller's ferocious ascent to mainstream stardom. These women refused to be defined by type and tradition, facing down indifference, puzzlement, nay-saying, and unvarnished hostility. They were discouraged by agents, managers, audiences, critics, fellow performers-even their families. And yet they persevered against the tired notion that women couldn't be funny, making space not only for themselves but for the women who followed them. Meticulously researched and irresistibly drawn, Shawn Levy's group portrait forms a new pantheon of comedy excellence. In on the Joke shows how women broke into the boys' club, offered new ideas of womanhood, and had some laughs along the way"-- Provided by publisher

When Shawn Levy had the notion to write a poem each day for a year, inspired by the obituary pages of The New York Times, he had no way of knowing that the year in question, 2016, would claim so many of the world's most iconic figures. His project became, in effect, a vehicle for surveying the breadth of the twentieth century: Titans from all fields of endeavor, lives that contained one quirky but insoluble achievement, and people who had special significance in his own life. From Nancy Reagan to Muhammad Ali, David Bowie to Arnold Palmer, Prince to Janet Reno, Antonin Scalia to Mary Tyler Moore, and including a Black Miss America, an obsessive weather reporter, the nurse famously kissed by a sailor on VJ Day, the man who put the '@' in your email address, and the last man to walk on the moon, the lives recollected in these one hundred poems provoke compassion, sorrow, outrage, surprise, nostalgia, even laughter.

The intoxicating story of Hollywood, as seen from the suites and bungalows of its most iconic hotel

An exuberant history of postwar Rome, as seen through the lenses of its burgeoning filmmakers and paparazzi.

A portrait of the film icon offers insights into his early years and family background, drawing on interviews with friends and colleagues to trace his artistic evolution and the apparent disconnect between his real and on-screen personalities

There's little debate that Robert De Niro is one of the greatest screen actors of his generation, perhaps of all time. His work, particularly in the first 20 years of his career, is unparalleled. De Niro become known for his deep involvement in his characters, resulting in extraordinary, chameleonic performances. Yet little is known about the off-screen De Niro--he is an intensely private man, whose rare public appearances are often marked by palpable awkwardness, in powerful contrast to his confident movie personae. In this compelling biography, Shawn Levy writes of these many De Niros--the characters and the man--seeking to understand the evolution of an actor who once dove deeply into his roles as if to hide his inner nature, and who now seemingly avoids acting challenges, taking roles which make few apparent demands on his overwhelming talent. Following De Niro's roots as the child of artists who encouraged him from an early age to be independent of vision and spirit, to his intense schooling as an actor, the rise of his career, his marriages, his life as a father, restaurateur, and businessman, and, of course, his current movie career, Levy has written a biography that reads like a novel about a character whose inner turmoil takes him to heights of artistry.--From publisher description.

The biography delves into the multifaceted life of Paul Newman, highlighting his iconic roles in classic films and his diverse off-screen endeavors. Shawn Levy paints a portrait of Newman as a dedicated family man, philanthropist, and racing enthusiast, while also addressing the complexities of his personal life, including infidelities and the lasting impact of his son's tragic death. Through detailed anecdotes, readers gain insight into Newman’s integrity and professionalism, revealing the man behind the legendary star.

Focusing on a charismatic figure of the past, the narrative explores the life of a man known as Rubi, whose fame and allure captivated the world. Renowned for his relationships with wealthy and glamorous women, he also mingled with prominent male figures, from politicians to celebrities. His adventurous lifestyle included polo, racing, and even jewel theft, alongside connections to a notorious dictator. His untimely death at fifty-six marked the end of an era characterized by luxury and celebrity culture, leaving a lasting impact on the social landscape.

Shawn Levy, author of `Rat Pack Confidential' brings alive London in the swinging Sixties with a gripping, groovy story of those who created the scene that changed the world. schovat popis