Category Archives: Book Reviews

The Martha’s Vineyard Times: “In Print : Meet the makers of ‘Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard’”

Posted on June 29, 2011

Martha's Vineyard Times Article by Jack Shea in The Martha’s Vineyard Times:

The Book of “Jaws,” biblical in scope, will be a top summer read based on early interest in the fascinating, often-hilarious Island story behind “Jaws,” filmed here in 1974 by then-unknown director Steven Spielberg.

For example, author Matt Taylor drew 60 people to his author appearance at the West Tisbury Library recently in advance of release of “Jaws: Memories of Martha’s Vineyard” this week. Those are rock star numbers for an Island library event.

How come? Part of it is the whole Jaws thing. The scary monster-sized shark slurping swimmers and munching on trawlers has stood up more than 35 years to become a modern American film legend. People who’ve never heard of Martha’s Vineyard can identify the “shark music” after two terrifying notes.

Exclusive preview of photos from the book at Fangoria

Posted on June 15, 2011

A selection of sneak-peek photos from the book are available for viewing exclusively on Fangoria Magazine’s website:

One of the most amazing making-of-a-movie books ever, Matt Taylor’s JAWS: MEMORIES OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD tells the story of the creation of Steven Spielberg’s classic in the words of the New England Islanders who took part. Their recollections are complemented by hundreds of never-before-seen photos, and we’ve got a sampling to show you.

Posted in Book Reviews, Media, Publicity | Tagged Fangoria, Media, Publicity, Sneak-Peek

Turner Classic Movies UK

Posted on May 29, 2011

Turner Classic Movies UK’s Keith Tomlinson blogs about the book:

Martha’s Vineyard is located eight miles off the south-eastern coast of Massachusetts. Such a relatively isolated setting for the film necessitated the hiring of hundreds of locals to work as actors and labourers. Among this army of participants were numerous professional and amateur photographers, each with full access to the production’s inner workings.

So it’s exciting to discover that now, for the first time, all these behind-the-scenes photographs and stories have been compiled into an new treasure trove of ‘Jaws’ rarities.

Read Keith’s full post at Turner Classic Movies UK.

Posted in Book Reviews, Media, Publicity | Tagged Book Reviews, Media, Turner Classic Movies UK

Reuters: New book takes another bite at “Jaws” legend

Posted on May 6, 2011

A review of the book by Lauren Keiper was released by Reuters today.

“…the anecdotes and photos from hundreds of Martha’s Vineyard residents who worked behind the scenes during filming have been stashed away for decades in attics and memories across the island.

Now, a nearly 300-page book documents the impact of the film on the island and includes more than 1,000 photographs taken by local residents and interviews with islanders and key Hollywood players.”

-Lauren Keiper: Reuters

Read the full review here.

The review has been picked up by Los Angeles Times, Yahoo!, Chicago Tribune, CNBC, and others.

Posted in Book Reviews, Media, Publicity | Tagged Book Reviews, Chicago Tribune, CNBC, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, Yahoo!

Yankee Magazine online: Diving into the all-new book “Jaws: Memories From Martha’s Vineyard”

Posted on April 24, 2011

Ian Aldrich reveiwed the book for Yankee Magazine online.

…a book that even the biggest Jaws-a-holic among us (and there are plenty) will drop everything for.

To read Ian’s full review visit YankeeMagazine.com.

Posted in Book Reviews, Media, Publicity | Tagged Book Reviews, Media, Publicity, Yankee Magazine

Field & Stream: A Must-Have Book for Any “Jaws” Fanatic

Posted on April 21, 2011

Joe Cermele of Field & Stream Magazine reviewed the book this week.

…with 296 pages and over 1,000 color and black-and-white photos, you’ll spend hours picking through beautifully written stories, quotes, and captions for behind-the-scenes tidbits you won’t learn anywhere else.

To read Joe’s full review visit FieldAndStream.com