Smashing Pumpkins: Tales of a Scorched Earth

Book Description

Initially contemporaries of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan's Smashing Pumpkins outgrew and outlived the grunge scene with hugely acclaimed commercial triumphs like Siamese Dream, which legitimised heavy metal, and number one album Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness. Unlike many of their contemporaries, the Pumpkins were able to withstand internal problems and keep selling records, emerging as the longest-lasting and most successful alternative band of the early '90s. Though drugs and other problems led to the band's final demise, Corgan's recent return with Zwan is a reminder of how awesome the Pumpkins were in their prime. Seattle-based Hanson has followed the band for years and this is the first in-depth biography of their rise and fall.

Customer Reviews:

A GOOD DEPICTION OF THE BAND, A LITTLE DRAWN OUT AT TIMES.......2005-03-25

This is the first, and only (that I know of) biography on the band. The book itself is good and covers much of the formation, keys gigs, singles and other elements. Like past reviewers have said it does make you wanna play the singles as you read, and provides alot of details. However at times the author does become to descriptive on some events and occurances, and it would have been better to cover more, perhaps with a bit less descriptive elements. I was a bit dissapointed, because alot of the end of the book is simply drawn from specials and shows that any serious fan would have already seen or heard. The earlier sections are good though and give a lot of insight into the bands quick rise, and all that came with it. Overall the book was good, but not perfect. I would recommend it more so to those who no little about the Pumpkins, but also to avid fans.

Even for SP fans this was painful to read.......2004-12-19

My girlfriend bought me this book for my birthday and I couldn't wait to get started on it because I'm a huge Pumpkins and Corgan fan. After about the fifth page I was already disappointed. I could hardly stand reading the author's long, drawn out, overly dramatic way of informing the reader. Every sentence felt like work to read because the author goes out of her way to try and impress with her large vocabulary and endless, dragging, dry descriptions on every single event.

I couldn't agree more with all the bad reviews written before me. If you strip all the dry filler from this book you wouldn't have much left, and of that most SP fans probably know 75% of it already. Don't be fooled by the good reviews that attack the intelligence of the people criticizing this book. I understand the words the author uses, but it makes for difficult reading that doesn't flow well at all. Like I said, reading this was like work. I'm very disappointed. I've never liked/disliked a book so much that I would actually write up a review, but I don't want others out there to go through what I did and waste their (or their girlfriend's) money. You can get better information about the band by studying their lyrics and finding interviews with them online.

Dry and pretentious.......2004-11-23

Given the lack of Smashing Pumpkins biographies that exist in print, I approached this book with enthusiasm. However, this feeling evaporated within the first couple of chapters. Although I agree that it's important to understand the context in which the Pumpkins' music was created, I quickly found myself skipping over the author's self-indulgent and frankly boring examinations of topics that should have remained marginal at best. More disappointing was the fact that these tangents were at the expense of any in-depth study of the personal influences behind the music - surely a band biography cannot completely detach the musicians from their music? Not wishing to pry into an individual's private business is admirable, but the emotive aspects of the Smashing Pumpkins' story are part of their appeal. However, this has largely been ignored in this book, and instead it is comprised of dry chronological information that displays little passion or enthusiasm for the band. I don't feel that I know any more about how the music was written or what the inspiration for it was. The author doesn't offer an opinion or even a description of most of the songs. There is surely an interesting biography of Smashing Pumpkins waiting to be written; sadly, this is not it.

EXCELLENT!!!.......2004-10-22

I bought this book after reading the great reviews in "Classic Rock" and "Record Collector," and Iwas't disappointed. This is one of those books that is impossible to put down, with every page turning up new information and ideas, and not only about the Pumpkins. There's some great material on the 90s rock scene in general, especially the rise and fall of the grunge scene. But the book's strong on every aspect of the Pumpkins' history, while the writing is so descriptive that you can't resist digging out the CDs to play along with the chapters.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.......2004-10-16

I'd not heard this book was coming out until I found it on Amazon, so I ordered it immediately. I was not disappointed. It tells the story of the Smashing Pumpkins in fast and flashy style, and you really feel like you know the band members better at the end. I especially enjoyed all the information about the earliest years, and the Scratchy Records story, but the book is strong all the way to the end. There's also an excellent discography so we can catch up with any Pumpkins/Billy music we might have missed.

Average customer rating:

How to Carve Pumpkins for Great Results
Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
Manufacturer: Southwater
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1844763218

Book Description

20 traditional and contemporary designs for pumpkin carving at Halloween and all year round, shown in 100 step-by-step photographs

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic

Average customer rating:

Compliments the Classic!
As good as the Christmas one

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic
Charles M. Schulz , and Lee Mendelson
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Peanuts)
It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (Peanuts (Running Press))
Good Grief, It's Your Birthday! (Peanuts)
Peanuts Lunchtime Cookbook

ASIN: 006089721X
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Book Description

Trick-or-treating has never been more fun—with scary costumes, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Linus, and, of course, the Great Pumpkin. Since its first airing forty years ago, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" has become synonymous with Halloween. This collection of remembrances and behind-the-scenes treasures celebrates the timeless television classic with:

A full script illustrated with screen art from the show
Never-before-seen photographs, storyboard excerpts, and production materials
Interviews with the original child actors who were the voices of the Peanuts gang
Reminiscences and insider tidbits from executive producer Lee Mendelson and animator Bill Melendez
And much more!

Customer Reviews:

Compliments the Classic!.......2006-12-01

My wife talked me into this one. Love "Peanuts" and certainly "The Great Pumpkin", just not into reading books about them. Well, I take that back, I enjoyed "Good Grief", the biography on Charles Schulz, as well as a treasury of his works. Anyway, finally sat down to read this one over the holidays, and I was glad she talked me into it. They broke the mould with Schulz, and this was a nice trip down memory lane.

As good as the Christmas one.......2006-09-30

If you own the Christmas edition one then the Great Pumpkin one is in the same format. It has interesting facts, two piano score pages,and the colored story of it. It is worth your money and is good for any Peanuts fans collection.

Extreme Pumpkin Carving: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous

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My neighboors all raved about my pumpkins thanks to this book
Extreme pumpkin carving
Super carving book
Something for both beginners and advanced carvers...

Extreme Pumpkin Carving: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous
Vic Hood , and Jack Williams
Manufacturer: Fox Chapel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit includes 6-Volt Minimite Cordless Rotary Tool and 10 Templates
Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors
You Too Can Create Stunning Watermelon Carvings
Great Pumpkins: Crafty Carving for Halloween
Pumpkin Carving

ASIN: 1565232135

Book Description

Providing a new twist on a holiday tradition, this book illustrates how to carve three-dimensional faces and scenes in pumpkins using tools ranging from kitchen knives to carving gouges and chisels. Complete information is provided for getting started, including an overview of tools and tips for finding the best pumpkin to work with. Step-by-step instructions are detailed for using handy household tools to carve dramatic Halloween figures and using professional tools for creating more elaborate and intricate details. Twenty pumpkin carving patterns are provided and include full-color photographs of each finished carving.

Customer Reviews:

My neighboors all raved about my pumpkins thanks to this book.......2007-02-12

I got this book for halloween this year. Read through it in a short sitting, and had a clear view of how to create releaf style pumpkin sculptures in no time.

I had some background many years ago in highschool pottery classes doing sculture, and the techniques detailed in this book easily recapped each of the basics and then advanced into the more skilled techniques.

I highly recommend this for anyone with little to no sculpture background.

The draw backs I found with this book are that they focus heavily on how to accomplish the effects with typical knife. Then they transition in to using more specific tools. The issue being that they spend far less time detailing the technique with the specific/advanced tools, it would have been better if they keep the same level of tenique details for the advanced tools. Also on the subject of advanced tools, the author provide teh list of tools he uses(which have been built over many years specializing in the spaced). There is very little time spent on talking about what tools are used or suggestions of locations to get ahold of them. I have found that getting ahold of tools that fit the task have been hard to find and better descriptions or sources would be extremely helpful.

Extreme pumpkin carving.......2005-10-11

Very inspiring! Great step-by-step photos to get you started. The photos make it look so easy I can't wait to try it!

Super carving book.......2004-11-01

This is the best book I've seen on carving pumpkin. There are patterns for everything from scary to comical faces. Carving is done only with knives or for those carvers with tools, good directions are available for a really terrific creation. I would not recommend unsupervised children doing this kind of carving, however. The tools must be very sharp.

Something for both beginners and advanced carvers..........2004-10-10

I had a tough time deciding on how many stars for this book. I really like the book but I was just a teensy bit disapointed. My reasons may be a little bit unfair but I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

They walk you thru step-by-step how to carve one pattern with nothing but a carving knife and another pattern step-by-step with how to carve with carving tools. The photos on this part are great and close-up in color. For the pumpkin carved only with the knife they used 86 pictures! For the pumpkin done with carving tools they showed 40 (because it's faster and easier to use carving tools hence it took fewer pics). This part is very much for the beginner which is exactly what I needed. Under each photo (which are about 4 to a page) they tell you what tool to use and explain what is happening in the photo. This part is amazing, they did not skip on the photos here!

I am slightly disapointed however, because they only show two pumpkin patterns step-by-step and I admit I am greedy and would have liked more.

The other 18 pumpkins they give shaded line patterns for and a color photo of each finished pumpkin. Depending on how dark the shading is on the drawing is how deep to carve that feature. This will no doubt not bother those more advanced at carving than myself but it does intimidate me.

This book is well worth the price just for the two step-by-step pumpkins they did. I will learn a lot and maybe by the time I do a couple I will feel comfortable tackling the others on my own.

Pumpkins Gone Crazy: How to Make Truly Amazing Pumpkins (Klutz Guides)

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Pumpkins Gone Crazy: How to Make Truly Amazing Pumpkins (Klutz Guides)
Editors of Klutz
Manufacturer: Klutz Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1570543607

Average customer rating:

The most excellent pumpkin painting book
Will cure all boredom while stranded on that desert isle!

Pumpkin Painting
Jordan McKinney
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Painting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0806948582

Amazon.com

Rather than carving jack-o'-lanterns this Halloween, break with tradition and paint your pumpkins instead. Not only will they last longer if they're not cut open, but since no sharp tools are involved, even the littlest kids can get in on the act. And the painting patterns can be used on plastic, wooden, or papier-mâché pumpkins, too. Thorough general directions explain how to choose the perfect pumpkin, extend its life, transfer patterns, apply the paint, and add embellishments like hair (yarn, fur, ribbon, wire, straw, polyester stuffing), and even give some carving tips.

Full patterns are provided for each of the many designs, which range from the appropriately spooky (witches, werewolves, mummies, monsters, haunted houses, a very effective Grim Reaper whose orange silhouette leers out of a black background) to the silly (clowns, barnyard animals, goofy grinning faces) to the country-décor style (autumn leaves, sunflowers, plaids). Some of the more involved designs may take a little practice, but most are fairly easy. --Amy Handy

Book Description

Next Halloween, have Fuzzy Frankenstein the pumpkin say hello to your trick-or-treaters. It's easy. Transform pumpkins, gourds, melons, and squash into a visual feast with these wacky, whimsical designs and easy-to-trace patterns. 74 eye-catching creations. Make a wicked witch, a wrapped mummy, or a scar face--whichever unique pattern you choose. 96 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 11.

Customer Reviews:

The most excellent pumpkin painting book.......2000-10-19

We use this book every year to paint about 30-40 pumpkins for table center pieces where I work. We have found, after searching for books on pumpkin painting, that this is our favorite one and we call it "our pumpkin bible". Then, the night of the children's halloween party, we let the kids take them home. All the patterns are easy (even for those who are not artistically talented). We highly recommend it!

Will cure all boredom while stranded on that desert isle!.......1997-10-06

This would be the book to take along before boarding the S.S. Minnow. You might also want to take along some acrylic paints, brushes, and a few other items which are clearly listed beside each project. This book would cure boredom over and over again as it contains many different easy-to-duplicate designs for not only pumpkins, but gourds, melons (and possibly coconuts). This book can be helpful for adults as well as children (and even possibly the natives). After all what else would there be to do on that desert isle after the sun goes down?!

From Pumpkin Time to Valentines: Sneaking Language Arts Strategies into Holiday Celebrations

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From Pumpkin Time to Valentines: Sneaking Language Arts Strategies into Holiday Celebrations
Susan Ohanian
Manufacturer: Teacher Ideas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1563081717

Book Description

Keep students happily focused on learning during two of the most exciting holidays of the year for the elementary classroom-Halloween and Valentine's Day. Poems and excerpts are used as launching points for such projects as writing spooky tongue twisters or designing animal valentine cartoons. Reproducible language arts strategies teach word play, interviewing, letter writing, research skills, problem solving, and metaphorical language while encouraging divergent thinking. Grades 1-5.

The Truth about Jack-O-Lanterns (Truth about)

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The Truth about Jack-O-Lanterns (Truth about)

Manufacturer: Laughing Elephant
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1595830960

Book Description

This is the third book in our series that reveals much about the life of seasonal heroes; the two previous volumes are The Truth About Snow People and The Truth About Easter Rabbits. We think we know Jack-O-Lanterns; they just sit on front porches with glowing and mysterious faces. In truth, there is far more to them than that. They are very different from one another, and some of them join our human Halloween festivities in a variety of ways. This book has been compiled by a diligent search through a century's worth of images, including postcards, calendar art, book illustrations, posters, window decorations, ephemera scraps, and more. Readers will admire Jack-O-Lanterns even more after reviewing the revelations in this book.

Art Culinaire ((The International Magazine in Good Taste, Volume 49))

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Art Culinaire ((The International Magazine in Good Taste, Volume 49))

Manufacturer: Culinaire Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000B68M3U

Product Description

Contents: Industry Spotlight, Tim and Nina Zagat. Back to Basics, Slaws: Shreddable Edibles. Provence, Vintage Provence. Surf and Turf, Fossil Fuel: A 70's Icon Makes a Comeback. Vegetables As Desserts, Sweet Nothings. 7 Appetizers, 27 Main Courses, 10 Desserts, 4 Salads, 1 Soup, and 13 Chef Biographies.

Crafty Halloween Pumpkins (Five Ideas Series)

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Crafty Halloween Pumpkins (Five Ideas Series)
Clare Beaton
Manufacturer: B Small
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1874735581

Profiting with Futures Options
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Profiting with Futures Options
David L. Caplan
Manufacturer: Center for Futures Education, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0915513560

Book Description

You won't find a booklet like this anywhere else!

David L. Caplan's strategic booklet on profitable trading techniques for futures options. This booklet clearly illustrates the strategies used by Mr. Caplan to manage his highly successful options portfolios. Graphs show the price movement of the underlying futures in conjunction with the real-life examples of Mr. Caplan's trades. Thousands sold!

Century 21 Accounting: Multicolumn Journal Working Papers Chapters 1-17
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Century 21 Accounting: Multicolumn Journal Working Papers Chapters 1-17
Kenton E. Ross , Mark W. Gilbertson , and Robert D. Lehman
Manufacturer: Thomson Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0538677007

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