Rating: 
Summary: A portrait of a snobbish, lonely man
Review: There are few books I do not finish and this was one of them. A fascinating, well-told story of his childhood turns into a tale of an ultimately lonely, self-centered man who thinks himself a genius (he was) unable to open his heart to others. The story of his successes (a long list of names who supposedly adored him) reads like a modern story of a well-paid CEO rather than an artist creating great films.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Life, Only Partly Realized in His Writing
Review: There was a lot more to Charlie Chaplin than what he wrote about in his autobiography. In several instances he would mention that a subject was touchy or self explanitory, and for that reason write very little of it. However, these are the most interesting aspects of his life. The book concentrates almost completely on Chaplin's personal aquantences, and despite how interesting and prestigeous they may have been, it just isn't worth putting into a book. Certainly worth reading though, for there is no better source for information on the begginings of Hollywood.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fantastic Trip
Review: This book is amazing. Chaplin's descriptions of the slums of London and early Holywood are great, they really transport the reader to the locations. Chaplin discusses his art, his beliefs, and his loves, as well as often just going off on tangents, spending pages describeing other comedians of the time and other interesting oddities. I highly reconmend this book to anyone who has any intrest in film making or anyone who wants to see these worlds that are long gone.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Trip
Review: This book is amazing. Chaplin's descriptions of the slums of London and early Holywood are great, they really transport the reader to the locations. Chaplin discusses his art, his beliefs, and his loves, as well as often just going off on tangents, spending pages describeing other comedians of the time and other interesting oddities. I highly reconmend this book to anyone who has any intrest in film making or anyone who wants to see these worlds that are long gone.
Rating:
Summary: My Review
Review: What I wonderful book. I love Chaplin. He amazes me. I am 17. He is my hero. I have to say that he does go off a little on certain things, but they are very interesting topics. I have read this book many times. I am amazed by all the people he has meet through his life. He was very lucky. And the poeple who met him where very lucky, too. I have all his films, My Life In Pictures, and three other books written about him. All in all, it is a very fun read. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: My Review
Review: What I wonderful book. I love Chaplin. He amazes me. I am 17. He is my hero. I have to say that he does go off a little on certain things, but they are very interesting topics. I have read this book many times. I am amazed by all the people he has meet through his life. He was very lucky. And the poeple who met him where very lucky, too. I have all his films, My Life In Pictures, and three other books written about him. All in all, it is a very fun read. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: In His Own Words
Review: While the movie Chaplin is very well done, no person can tell a story like they can tell there own. Based on this, I chose to read the book written by the cinematic legend himself. While there are some discrepencies between the book and movie, books have an ability to make details evident that movies can not make evident.The book spends a considerable amount of time in his early life. Chaplin struggled with a rarely present father and a mentally ill mother. It was through this poverty that he followed the chosen career path of his parents in the theatre. The theatre would would lead him to America where he would begin working in the new film industry. Through this industry he made classic films that continue to influence modern cinema despite their age. When Chaplin made a film, it had something to say. It was art that spoke to the human soul with humor, love, and hope. His films were not merely a way to make money. Aside from his work in films, Chaplin was a humanitarian. He supported America in times of war depite not being a citizen. Chaplin never forgot his roots, making him empathetic to the needs of the less fortunate. This trait led to the revoking of his citizenship when he spoke of openly of opening a second front in Russia during World War II. It was through this stance that he was labeled a "communist" and had his citizenship was revoked. In spite of these attacks led by J. Edgar Hoover, Chaplin rarely mentions Hoover in his book. Nor does he harbor ill will toward America. It is a travesty that this film legend and humanitarian was treated so poorly by the American government in his later years. The book ends shortly after Chaplin has settled in to his new life in Switzerland. With his new life, Chaplin has a positive outlook. One has to wonder what might have been if Chaplin finished his life in America. Surely he was capable of creating more great work. However, sometimes a man's greatest work and pleasure is his family.
Rating:
Summary: In His Own Words
Review: While the movie Chaplin is very well done, no person can tell a story like they can tell there own. Based on this, I chose to read the book written by the cinematic legend himself. While there are some discrepencies between the book and movie, books have an ability to make details evident that movies can not make evident. The book spends a considerable amount of time in his early life. Chaplin struggled with a rarely present father and a mentally ill mother. It was through this poverty that he followed the chosen career path of his parents in the theatre. The theatre would would lead him to America where he would begin working in the new film industry. Through this industry he made classic films that continue to influence modern cinema despite their age. When Chaplin made a film, it had something to say. It was art that spoke to the human soul with humor, love, and hope. His films were not merely a way to make money. Aside from his work in films, Chaplin was a humanitarian. He supported America in times of war depite not being a citizen. Chaplin never forgot his roots, making him empathetic to the needs of the less fortunate. This trait led to the revoking of his citizenship when he spoke of openly of opening a second front in Russia during World War II. It was through this stance that he was labeled a "communist" and had his citizenship was revoked. In spite of these attacks led by J. Edgar Hoover, Chaplin rarely mentions Hoover in his book. Nor does he harbor ill will toward America. It is a travesty that this film legend and humanitarian was treated so poorly by the American government in his later years. The book ends shortly after Chaplin has settled in to his new life in Switzerland. With his new life, Chaplin has a positive outlook. One has to wonder what might have been if Chaplin finished his life in America. Surely he was capable of creating more great work. However, sometimes a man's greatest work and pleasure is his family.
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL, FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT
Review: While this is by no means a perfect book, it is still very enjoyable to read Chaplin's account of his life and times. Other works may portray him more accurately and with less bias, but they cannot offer the same personal touch that this book presents. For the most part, the book is a smooth read-even though Chaplin tends to leave out important points that are uncomfortable (but essential), creating a few strange transitions. Further, it appears that even the realm of non-fiction biography is not safe from fictional enhancements. Chaplin, being the tireless dramatist, invented at least one character in this book for fluency and apparently stretched a story here or there as well. Despite this, a fan of the great comedian must respect (or at least accept) the fact that this is how Charlie Chaplin wanted to be remembered.
Rating:
Summary: A Journey into the Life and Mind of a Genius.
Review: Written elegantly and with honesty Charlie Chaplin describes fame and fortune as well as poverty and despair. An often despressed and socially lacking person, Chaplin lets you see behind the makeup and the cameras. This book really shows his genius. Without the benefit of much schooling he still writes like a man with a degree in jounalism. At times, though, Chaplin trails off on subjects, then comes back but you get the feeling that you really know him as he takes you further than any other autobiographer and into his mind.
|
