Category Archives: Book Reviews

Review at CineWeekly

Posted on December 19, 2011

George Taylor reviews JAWS: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard at CineWeekly:

Thanks to the openness of the sets, there isn’t a single major actor (including Bruce the shark) or crew member that was able to dodge the shutters of the eager locals. You really start to feel like you were there back in ’74 and now reminiscing with the family scrapbook about that big event that you were never a part of.

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Review by Wired’s “Geek Dad”

Posted on December 19, 2011

Dave Banks reviews JAWS: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard on Wired Magazine’s Geek Dad blog:

There are bookshelves stuffed with behind-the-scenes memoirs and photos from the making of movies, but few are as comprehensive (and interesting) as Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard. The oversized book, packed with thousands of images, tidbits of trivia, and interviews, tells the story behind the making of one of the 20th century’s most iconic movies, but, in a unique twist, from the perspective of the locals.

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Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2011

Posted on December 6, 2011

After receiving their Blue Star, Kirkus Reviews has now named JAWS Memories From Martha’s Vineyard one of their Best Books of 2011 in the Indie category.

Read Kirkus Reviews’ earlier review of the book here.

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Asbury Park Press: “Open wide: ‘Jaws: Memories’ book is a good reason to own a coffee table”

Posted on October 19, 2011

Alex Biese reviewed the book for the Asbury Park Press.

Director Steven Spielberg’s classic 1975 thriller “Jaws” marked the birth of the modern blockbuster, and tales of its production are legendary — such as the difficulties of getting the prop sharks to work are nearly as well-known as the film itself. But for “Jaws” nuts and Spielberg superfans, “Memories” is something refreshingly new: a history of the film’s production told through the stories and photos of residents of Martha’s Vineyard, the charming Massachusetts vacation destination where the film was shot.

Read the full review at Asbury Park Press.

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Library Journal Review

Posted on October 18, 2011

Mike Rogers reviewed the book for the Library Journal.

The book is chock full of anecdotes and is bursting with more than 1000 pix shot by residents that have never been seen before. If you’re a JAWS nut, then you’re going to need a bigger book shelf, because this behind-the-scenes beauty is an absolute must have. I’ve got the paperback edition, but there’s also a killer deluxe boxed Limited Edition hardcover with a DVD containing 8mm behind -the-scenes footage of the JAWS production, which was shot and narrated by Islander Carol Fligor, plus a 1″x1″ piece of the fiberglass hull of the Orca II (a.k.a., sinking Orca) used in the movie with a note of authenticity from owners Lynn and Susan Murphy (how freaking cool is that!).

Read the full review at Library Journal. And see more from the Library Journal here.

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Book review and interview with Matt Taylor and Jim Beller at Cinema Retro

Posted on October 11, 2011

Todd Garbarini reviewed the book at CINEMA RETRO magazine’s website and interviewed Matt Taylor & Jim Beller!

If this book is not the greatest book ever published about the making of a motion picture, I simply don’t know what is. It should set the standard for future publications on similar classics. It stands as a testament to not only a great motion picture, but as an authenticated record of what it truly takes to make a film and realize that film through a camera lens and most importantly, to be able to solve seemingly insurmountable odds and problems that inevitably beset a film crew.

Read the full intervew and review at Cinema Retro.

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Blue Star review for the book from Kirkus Reviews

Posted on September 12, 2011

Kirkus Reviews reviewed JAWS Memories From Martha’s Vineyard and gave it their blue Kirkus Star. The Kirkus Star denotes a book of “remarkable merit.”

Taylor has taken his love for a specific film and turned it into something greater—a beautiful compendium of not just memorabilia, but commentary on the importance of community in the art of filmmaking.

Read the full review at KirkusReviews.com.

Posted in Book Reviews, Media, Publicity | Tagged Blue Star, Book Reviews, Kirkus Reviews, Kirkus Star, Media, Publicity

Manta Ray Pictures Review

Posted on August 22, 2011

Terry Wickham of Manta Ray Pictures reviewed the book:

Shortly after starting to read this book, it was obvious to me that this is the pinnacle of all books about a movie. JAWS: Memories From Martha’s Vineyard is a large coffee table style book that features hundreds of stunning never-before-seen photos and intricate revealing information about the production of Steven Spielberg’s ground breaking summer blockbuster.

Read the full review at MantaRayPictures.com.

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Film Score Review

Posted on August 9, 2011

It’s a treasure trove of riches for those of us who love the movie “Jaws,” and the many stories told by the people who were there make for a brilliant package – gorgeous to look at, informative and enlightening to read, and surely a pleasure to revisit in the years to come.