Allen Salkin

This is a completely uninspiring book - mostly It is a list of facts and name dropping with a couple of offset quotes to liven things up. That said, I enjoyed reading it but only because I have been a loyal viewer since almost the beginning of the network.

If you know the TV personalities and their names and remember the old shows like "Ready Set Cook" and "Hot Off the Grill" and the rise (and fall) of "Emeril Live!" you may find it worthwhile.

I think it was really interesting to see how/why the focus of the network changed over the years and to see where on the spectrum my own tastes are.

Bottom line: good for hardcore, longtime Food Network viewers only and iffy even for them.… (más)

This book may have more interest and/or meaning for fans of Seinfeld. I’ve never watched the show, so a significant amount of the content, discussing the introduction of Festivus to the general public on an episode of Seinfeld and the making of that episode, were of no interest to me at all. There was a little information attempting to paint Festivus as a celebration that predates even the ancient Romans – a spontaneous celebration about nothing in particular, or partying just for the sake of partying, and thumbing its nose at the intense preparations and expectations of traditional holiday celebrations like Christmas.

If so, an entire book about how to put on a Festivus celebration, complete with getting an aluminum pole (of no particular size or type), sending invitations, making party favors, and recipes for dishes and drinks, seems antithetical to the entire concept of a party that shuns party planning and social pressure to put on a show of celebration. Much of the book provides examples of ways that people have celebrated Festivus, with photos and essays. These were probably a lot more fun to engage in than to read about. The most interesting part of the book to me, and regrettably only lightly touched on, is the way Festivus has been used in the ongoing battle in the US over displays of religious holidays on public/government property.

As a guide for putting on your own Festivus in the style of Seinfeld, I suppose it’s a good one. For anyone who is not a Seinfeld fan or interested in hosting a Seinfeld-style Festivus celebration, your life won’t be any the poorer for skipping this book.

This was the ebook version, borrowed from my public library. I read this for The 16 Tasks of the Festive Season, as a Holiday Book Joker. I’ll be using it for square 12, Tasks for Festivus: Post your personal list of 3 Festivus Miracles –OR– post a picture of your Festivus pole (NOTHING pornographic, please!), –OR– Perform the Airing of Grievances: name 5 books you’ve read this year that have disappointed you - tell us in tongue-lashing detail why and how they failed to live up to expectations.

… (más)