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Rating: 
Summary: The Jaws Log
Review: Carl Gottlieb's book is a fascinating account of all that went on during the troubled production of Jaws is a well-illistrated account concerning all areas of production from the early begginings with Peter Benchley's screenplay to the film's worlwide box-office success. Originally written and released in 1976, this is one of those film books that instead of simply stating facts, also contains a wealth of info that makes it an enjoyable read. There are some audacious anecdotes about the clashes between the director, the stars and "Bruce", the shark that never worked. With candid opinions and numerous interesting details about the production, this book is a must-have for fans of Spielberg.
Rating: 
Summary: A light, entertaining read with a "you are there" feel
Review: Even though we're now in the era of comprehensive "making of" documentaries that accompany so many movies on DVD, it's still fun to pick up a good old "behind the scenes/making of" movie tie-in book from time to time. Carl Gottlieb's updated edition of his "The Jaws Log" is a good example of how entertaining such a book can be. It's nothing spectacular, just a solid, anecdote-laced account of a movie now famous for its production horror stories. Lots of new footnotes (about 20 pages worth) update the reader on what's happened since the book's original 1975 debut as well as providing further details not in the earlier edition, but it should be said that the original 1975 manuscript was still pretty candid for a merchandising tie-in.
Rating:
Summary: Ah - yes. This book truly warms my heart. :)
Review: For 'Jaws' addicts like myself, this book truly allows us to experience the sheer beauty of the making of the best man vs. fish story ever told. Gottlieb tells a rollicking tale and his afterword - written from the vantage point of 25 years - is wonderful, wonderful stuff. So turn on the John Williams music, set your DVD to a low rumble in the background, crack open this book and "farewell & adieu to you fair Spanish ladies . . ."
Rating:
Summary: Worth the long wait
Review: Gottleib gives a witty and insightful insider's account of the agonizingly protracted shooting schedule that produced one of the greatest films in history! His accounts of the production horrors, mishaps, over-runs, local hysteria (all these on a GOOD day of shooting) are as entertaining as the film itself. A great in-depth companion to the too-short documentary featured on the "Jaws" DVD (that documentary itself a shortened version of the spectacular one included in the Laserdisc Collector's Edition from the mid-1990's).
Rating:
Summary: Worth the long wait
Review: Gottleib gives a witty and insightful insider's account of the agonizingly protracted shooting schedule that produced one of the greatest films in history! His accounts of the production horrors, mishaps, over-runs, local hysteria (all these on a GOOD day of shooting) are as entertaining as the film itself. A great in-depth companion to the too-short documentary featured on the "Jaws" DVD (that documentary itself a shortened version of the spectacular one included in the Laserdisc Collector's Edition from the mid-1990's).
Rating:
Summary: Good insight
Review: I am a great fan of "Jaws" since it scared me when I was seven years old and it never lost it's fascination for me. I am also a great fan of all the works of Steven Spielberg, so I had to have that book.
It provides a very interesting and sweet insight into the hardships, troubles and sheer unsurmountable problems that make it almost unbelievable what a brilliant film came out of all that turmoil. The book is more concentrated on the personal and human stories. I miss a more technical insight. The filmmaking aspect is not so much described. I would have liked to read something about the way Spielberg directed the actors and Bruce the shark, of course. I would have liked to have known something about the camerawork, the editing of Mother Cutter, Verna Fields and all the other filmmaking departments. With all the little anecdotes about personal animosities or friendships, the author forgot to mention the basic, pure filmmaking process. But maybe it is to boring for filmmakers, or to embarrassing to talk about that. All in all: I recommend this to anybody who has something to do with film. Whenever you have problems and trouble on a set, read it. You will wear a smile again and know, that nothing can come as bad as the shooting of Jaws. - And that the worst of all circumstances on set can sometimes make the best of all films.
Rating:
Summary: Good insight
Review: I am a great fan of "Jaws" since it scared me when I was seven years old and it never lost it's fascination for me. I am also a great fan of all the works of Steven Spielberg, so I had to have that book.
It provides a very interesting and sweet insight into the hardships, troubles and sheer unsurmountable problems that make it almost unbelievable what a brilliant film came out of all that turmoil. The book is more concentrated on the personal and human stories. I miss a more technical insight. The filmmaking aspect is not so much described. I would have liked to read something about the way Spielberg directed the actors and Bruce the shark, of course. I would have liked to have known something about the camerawork, the editing of Mother Cutter, Verna Fields and all the other filmmaking departments. With all the little anecdotes about personal animosities or friendships, the author forgot to mention the basic, pure filmmaking process. But maybe it is to boring for filmmakers, or to embarrassing to talk about that. All in all: I recommend this to anybody who has something to do with film. Whenever you have problems and trouble on a set, read it. You will wear a smile again and know, that nothing can come as bad as the shooting of Jaws. - And that the worst of all circumstances on set can sometimes make the best of all films.
Rating:
Summary: You're gonna need a bigger book
Review: JAWS established a very real fear in ocean swimming. JAWS also established a new quality of filmmaker in Steven Spielberg. Yes, JAWS is a great film that surpassed its hype. The film was based on an extremely popular, yet sloppily written novel of the same name. The creation of this film is an amazing journey and very much worthy of noting. Carl Gottlieb, credited as screenwriter on JAWS, does an admirable job of relaying the play-by-play. Often very funny and very detailed, Gottlieb comes through as a very nice guy working on a very big film with a soon-to-be huge film director. This book is an updated release of an earlier book. It includes several fun photographs and a large section of the book devoted to hindsight writing, Carl's comments of today. With all that said, I conclude that the era of DVD makes this book a smaller achievement. The wonderful JAWS DVD also includes a wonderful making of documentary that may not be as detailed as this book, but really seems as informative and being visual, is preferred. But, for those technically challenged or those waiting for the revival of BETA machines and 8-tracks, this book is for you... Either way, JAWS is a monster film well worth the study.
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