River Phoenix: A Short Life is the definitive biography of this talented but tragic young star. Brian Robb looks at Phoenix's unusual childhood, his early days on TV and film, and the pressures of stardom that led to his lethal overdose in 1993. His short but incident-packed life is a tale of modern Hollywood.

River Phoenix: A Short Life

Biographies & Memoirs

Brian J. Robb

Arts & Literature

Perennial

In the early hours of 31 October 1993, a young actor collapsed and died outside a club on Sunset Strip, Los Angeles. His name was River Phoenix and he was 23 years old. Supposedly vehemently anti-drug, pro-environment, and clean-living, this screen idol had died of an apparently self-administered overdose of a lethal cocktail of drugs. This is the first biography of this talented but tragic young star. It explores the contradictions of a life that encompassed the hippy philosophy of his unconventional parents and the abnormal pressures of child stardom. His performance in Sidney Lummet's "Running on Empty" and in "My Own Private Idaho" established his credentials as a serious actor with the potential for greatness - a promising career cut short.

River Phoenix : A Short Life

Hodder&Stoughton

Indisputably one of the biggest names in Hollywood, Brad Pitt has skyrocketed from the Levi jeans boy in a 1988 commercial to a pay packet of $5 million per movie in a space of five years. This intimate biography looks beyond Pitt's reputation as a hell-raiser to tell how Pitt has come to terms with his sudden rise to fame. 100+ photos, many in color.

Brad Pitt: The Rise to Stardom

Plexus Pub

Traces the life and career of the young actor who received an Oscar nomination for his work in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"

The Leonardo Dicaprio Album

Humor & Entertainment

Plexus Publishing, Limited

Keanu Reeves' combination of authority, forthrightness, and sexy good looks has made him one of the most popular and bankable modern stars. In this revised and updated biography, Brian J. Robb explores Reeves on- and offscreen, including his rock 'n roll career with the band Dog Star, and the twin tragedies that took the lives of his unborn daughter and his former partner Jennifer Syme. This new edition contains 130 photographs and a 48-page coverage of The Matrix and its sequel including location reports, plot previews, and a glimpse of the trilogyâ€™s breathtaking climax.

Keanu Reeves: An Excellent Adventure

The romanticised American gangster of the Prohibition era has proved an enduringly popular figure. Even today, names like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano still resonate. Robb explores the histories of key figures, from gangs in the Old West, through Prohibition and the Great Depression, to the likes of John Gotti and Frank Lucas in the 1970s and 1980s. He also looks at the gangster in popular culture, in hit TV series such as Boardwalk Empire. 
Although the focus is strongly on the archetypal American gangster, Robb also examines gangsters around the world, including the infamous Kray twins in London, French crime kingpin Jacques Mesrine, the Mafia Dons of Sicily, and the rise of notorious Serbian and Albanian gangs. Infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly makes an appearance, as does Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, while other sections provide details of the Chinese Triads and the Yakuza in Japan. 
Robb also explores the gangster in popular culture, especially in film and television. Recent hit TV series such as The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire and blockbuster movies like Public Enemies and Gangster Squad show that the gangster is here to stay.

A Brief History of Gangsters (Brief Histories)

Historical

Robinson

Brief History of Superheroes

Comics & Graphic Novels

Publishers

Robinson Publishing

Both a fascinating account of Walt Disney's own significant artistic creations, from the iconic Mickey Mouse to the groundbreaking Snow White in 1937, and an insightful history of the hugely successful entertainment behemoth he created, from Dumbo to Pixar's Toy Story, as well as the hugely popular theme parks. But Disney's dark side is also explored: his disputed parentage; industrial disputes; his work for the FBI; and his anti-Communist and allegedly racist and antisemitic views.
The company Disney built is today stronger than ever, encompassing not only the ongoing legacy of Disney animation, but also acting as the guardian of other well-loved creative endeavours, such as Pixar, The Muppets, Marvel Comics and now Star Wars.
Sections include 'Before Mickey: The Road to the Mouse House', covering from 1901 to 1945 - the creation of Mickey Mouse, the creation of the world's first full-length animated feature film, the Golden Age of animation and Disney's help for the American war effort, despite labour disputes; 'Disney Studios: The Disney Genius' - difficult times, theme parks and television, live-action movies, including Mary Poppins; 'Animation's Second Coming', from the Lady and the Tramp to The Sword in the Stone, and Walt Disney's death; 'After Walt: The Disney Legacy' - family attempts to keep the studio afloat, decline and the loss of lustre in the 1970s and 1980s; 'Disney Resurgent' - a triumphant rebirth under new management with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The Lion King and other blockbuster hits; 'From Eisner to Iger' - the corporate battle for the soul of Disney; 'Disney Goes Digital' - from Pixar to Star Wars, via Marvel Comics and The Muppets, Disney buyy up other studios, themselves often enough inspired by the original.

A Brief History of Walt Disney (Brief Histories)

Arts & Photography

Graphic Design

George Lucas was a rebel, refusing to make films in the style of the dying studio system, while relentlessly pushing the technology of the day. From the unexpected success of the original 'Star Wars' in 1977, to the blockbusting prequel trilogy, this is the fascinating story of how it all happened.

A Brief Guide to Star Wars

Movies

Ewan mc gregor - du junkie au jedi (IMAGINAIRE (NP) (A))

J'Ai Lu

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Books by Brian J. Robb