Encyclopedia Madonnica [Paperback]

Matthew Rettenmund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1995

The press reports her every move, her fans defend her every faux pas as if she were divine, her detractors think she's the devil in a bustier, and Norman Mailer thinks she's our "greatest living female artist." In short, Madonna is the biggest star in the world. Unlike some stars, Madonna isn't famous simply for being famous. She's carved her popularity and her notoriety out of chart-busting singles, sold-out tours, movie roles in Desperately Seeking Susan and Dick Tracy, her best-selling book, Sex, and the most artistically sound music videos in the genre. Encyclopedia Madonnica appraises all aspects of Madonna's brilliant career, but it doesn't stop there. With a book chock-full of fabulous photos, Matthew Rettenmund has compiled information on Madonna from her childhood in Michigan and her early years in New York, as well as from her heady international success and her present status as unpredictable provocateur, insatiable sex siren, and pop culture goddess. In hilarious, info-packed entries, Rettenmund pokes fun at everything from Madonna-hatred to Madonna herself, all from a Madonna-friendly stance. Encyclopedia Madonnica is a fan's dream come true. It's the first appraisal of all things Madonna that documents the entire Madonna phenomenon and gives the star credit where credit is due. Matthew Rettenmund's irreverent writing style also manages to capture what happens to be Madonna's major appeal: FUN. If you've ever had fun listening to, watching, or thinking about Madonna, you'll love Encyclopedia Madonnica.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Everything you ever wanted to know about Madonna, and then some, is provided by Rettenmund, a St. Martin's Press editorial assistant and obvious Madonnaholic. If you read this book, you will learn about Madonna's friends, enemies, favorite restaurants, hometown, music videos, sex life, and much, much more. The result may be hog heaven for the (once-) teeming Madonna fanatics, but it poses some problems for unsuspecting librarians. Anyone writing about Madonna must soon delve into her personal life, and, indeed, there is some pretty graphic stuff here that may be deemed inappropriate for the mostly young people who will want to read about their idol. Purchase in response to requests.?Judy Hauser, Oakland Schs., Lib. Svces., Waterford, Mich.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Whether you consider the Material Girl to be a crass and hollow merchandising ploy masquerading as a chanteuse or an insightful embodiment of the musical values of a postindustrial generation, you will find the answers to all imaginable Madonna questions in Rettenmund's exhaustive compilation of all things Madonnal. Want to know Madonna's favorite magazines? See Magazines. How she feels about dandelions? See Dandelions. Oral sex? See Blowjobs (there are no cross-refs, so you have to think sometimes). Basically, if you like Madonna, you'll like this book, and if you hate her, you'll like it just as well. Like the platinum princess herself (so they say), it merely reflects what the audience brings to it. Anyhow, if it's about Madonna and it's known, it's probably in here. Mike Tribby

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (March 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312117825
• ISBN-13: 978-0312117825
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Madonna

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Guide to Madonna Mania!, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia Madonnica (Paperback)

Hey Madonna freaks and fans! Do you often find yourself in the shower humming "Like A Virgin," when God knows you haven't been one in years? Have you memorized all of the moves to the dance Madonna does in the "Lucky Star" video (and actually perform them in your living room when you think no one is looking)? Are the names Queerdonna and Ingrid Casares as familiar to you as your own? If you've ever had a hankering to own a black patent leather outfit like the one M wears in the "Human Nature" video, then this book is definitely for you! It is the ultimate bible for Madonna lovers everywhere. I got mine for Christmas about four years ago, and I still can't get enough of it. No matter how trivial, this book has all the information you've been seeking regarding the Great One. Matthew Rettenmund is a humorous, knowledgeable writer whose collection of Madonnabilia is enough to make you drool with envy if you are a true fan. Five stars and more go out to Encyclopedia Madonnica!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great book, April 27, 2008

By 

JGC - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia Madonnica (Paperback)

There are literally thousands of books that have been published over the years about everyone's favorite Material Girl. Regrettably, the vast majority of these books are incredibly sloppy and aren't even worth lining my birdcage with. But the "Encyclopedia Madonnica" is very unique. This is the most accurate book ever written about Madonna which is also the most informative and detailed. The author, Matthew Rettenmund who wrote this for fans from a fan's prospective speaks to the reader in both an entertaining and enlightening way. You will learn so much about a woman who everyone already thought they knew. My only complaint is that this lists the documentary "Blast 'Em" as part of Madonna's filmagraphy. I'm not sure why the author did that because "Blast 'Em" is not a Madonna movie or a movie that she agreed to appear in. It just includes clips of her being stalked by photographers and as a fan I looked for this movie for years simply because I wanted to have every single movie that she appeared it. When I finally got it I was very disappointed to learn that it was not one of her movies and perhaps it was simply an error on the author's part. If you're a fan who wants to read about Madonna there are really only 3 books you need to get. Besides the "Encyclopedia Madonnica," I also highly recommend I Dream of Madonna & The Madonna Scrapbook.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Madonna Book Ever Published, November 3, 2001

By 

P.J. "Pop Culture Fanatic" (Goose Creek, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia Madonnica (Paperback)

Matthew Rettenmund certainly has done his research. Encyclopedia Madonnica is the most informative book about the Material Girl that has ever been published. After reading this book, you will truly know everything there is to know about the most famous woman in the world. Well-written and organized, it's also chock full of often hilarious tid bits and witty rejoinders. Mr. Rettenmund should do an updated version of this book, to cover the years 1995 to the present. If you love Madonna, then you simply must own this book, along with Michael D. Craig's "Who's That Girl? The Ultimate Madonna Trivia Book!