Edward Herrmann

Eleanor and Franklin Double Feature (The Early Years / The White House Years)
$9.98
I took a chance on this because of the incredible price of seven bucks plus shipping, and boy am i glad I did. I was only 7 years old when it origionally aired so I was a bit apprehensive. I have to say that both the mini-series are wonderful. I had purchased Warm Springs earlier and found it to be beautifully done, but it can't hold a candle to this. This dvd has both The Early Years and The White House Years and the running time together is nearly six hours and I must say I was never bored. I planned on watching the first part one day and the second the next, but was so completely drawn in I watched it all in one Sunday afternoon. Jane Alexander and Edward Herrmann are the Roosevelts and the film, to be over 30 years old, looks as good as anything new. The direction by Daniel Petrie is first rate and the script and acting flawless. It says on the box that both won a combined 18 Emmy Awards and I don't know what the other nominees were but this is some magnificent television. Hooray to HBOVideo for putting them both into one DVD and to Amazon for the fantastic price. A fine addition to any DVD library. Bravo!

The Fantasy Album
$22.98
You can't have too many Sci-Fi albums. This is a good addition to anyone's collection. A good crosssection of SF music. It even has music from The Thief of Bagdad from the 30s(?)

General Ike : A Personal Reminiscence
$30.00
Retired Brig. General John Eisenhower has again given history a gift for the ages with "General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence" (2003 277-page hardback). (His earlier work "Yanks" -about the First World War- was also a brilliant piece.) "General Ike" will long present Dwight D. Eisenhower's military personality to colleagues, historians, students, and admirers.

Early on, author Eisenhower determines to present his illustrious father, the General, as military man rather than politician. In deed, he understands Ike's to have effectively negotiated a two-part career: 1st as military leader, and, 2nd as political statesman. This book focuses on Ike's military commander aspect.

John Eisenhower brings a plethora of knowledge, research, interviews, and personal accounts for telling the interesting story of his dad's memorable military career. Creatively, he presents Ike with chapter vignettes for each personality that affected the General's life. Readers are presented Ike's life with George Patton, Douglas MacArthur, Charles De Gaulle, and Winston Churchill. Ike's appreciation for General Fox Connor, General George Marshall, and Prime Minister Churchill are thoroughly analyzed. Ike's issues with Montgomery, Patton, and De Gaulle are reviewed. (By the end, Ike was able to overlook the differences and remain friendly with each man.)

Admitting a personal bias for his father, the author concludes his study suggesting that Eisenhower ranks with the history's greatest generals. Certainly, all should agree that Ike was the 20th century's greatest general. (He should also be a candidate for one of America's greatest 20th century leaders.)

The personal reminiscences alone make this book worth its price. John Eisenhower is often present with his father during historic moments. His access to Ike's paper, family life, and personal thoughts is unprecedented. As Ike's son, he was accepted into the General's circle of exceptional history makers. The knowledge gain through these experiences is presented in "General Ike". This book is unusually unique.

"General Ike" is recommended to everyone interested in Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower and World War 2.

Day the Earth Stood Still (Score)
$17.98
Outstanding - Faithful - Unforgettable

This modern stereo remake of the original Bernard Herrman score of "The Day The Earth Stood Still" is completely faithful to the instrumentation, energy, and emotion of the 1950s original movie. Each of the 33 tracks is a sonic treat, and hearing them brings images of the movie scenes (The Visor, The Glowing, Rebirth, etc) quickly to mind. This CD comes with excellent liner notes that includes studio photos and explanation of the musical construction of the score itself. Just buy this CD and you'll never be happier.

Some reviewers whine that this is not "the original" mono soundtrack from the TDTEST movie, but I say those who crave the flat retro sound should just buy a DVD of the original movie and get its soundtrack for free. The DVD I highly recommend is "The Day the Earth Stood Still (Two-Disc Special Edition)" available here on Amazon (NOT the modern-day remake with Keanu Reeves).