I chuckled at the description one of the readers gave to this book, and she's right. I definitely wouldn't want to live next door to this guy. BUT and that's a big but ... it gives you a peek at the in fighting and deal making in the trenches of Hollywood. Anyone seriously thinking of working in the movie industry or acting would do well to read this book, not to be frightened by it ... I'm sure Joe didn't win every fight he had with the studios ... but to be aware of what is considered normal every day business practices. It certainly opened my eyes. I'm going to write books instead of screenplays. (grin)
Joe Eszterhas is a hard man to like, but he sure knows a lot about screenwriting and the way Hollywood works. Alas, he also knows a lot about how sudden wealth and fame can almost destroy someone. I found parts of this quite hard to listen to, but on the whole I recommend it. It is not, however, for those who are sensitive to bad language and worse behavior.
I hesitate to recommend this book. It's filled with bad language and distasteful material, the author seems to hate everybody he ever met in Hollywood, and there's no way to know if it's factual or not. That said, I read it all the way through and found it an interesting self-portrait of a man I'm glad doesn't live next door to me. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Hollywood culture and history, but take it with a HUGE grain of salt.
