Customer Reviews

History of Film, A (7th Edition)

5 star:		(0)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though less formal than a typical textbook, this book practically functions as one. The reading is quick, though the author tends to get carried away on personal tangents. Nevertheless, it provides an impressive overview of cinematic history, from its modest start in the 1890s until the 1990s. One negative aspect is that many films and directors are left out, owing to space constraints, I assume. (the book is over 400 pages!) Still,one great aspect of this book is a list of recommended (historically- and aesthetically-relevant) films at the end of each chapter, sorted by director and year. Also, though America and Hollywood occupy a substantial part of the text, the author makes a concerted effort to give equal historical credence to international movements. A worthy resource for film buffs and students, as well as anyone else interested in the development of cinema.

When I opened my order two days ago, I was terribly...miffed.

This "book" is about as real as a three dollar bill and just as useless.

This knock-off of Wexman's "A History of Film, 7th Edition" could only have been printed off of the fabricators's PC printer. The fake-copy is made with computer paper, and the paper was cut poorly to where the body of text is too high on the page.

What's worse, their printer seems to have been low on ink. For example, boxes Wexman uses to designate timelines and lists of films she considers good examples of the subject matter, are nearly impossible to see... and the text inside is at times illegible. The subjects of photographs are almost unrecognizable as anything that has ever appeared on celluloid.

Meanwhile, the real "History of Film, 7th ed." is thinner and is printed on the proper paper. (I know this because I've been forced to buy a badly treated used-edition from the campus bookstore; also, I've looked through a classmate's personal copy)

One might think that a cheap copy of the book would be as good as anything, especially if you're living on a student's budget, but if you're going to pay eighty-bucks-plus-tax to buy the thing anyway, you might as well buy the legit thing and get your money's worth.

Also, Wexman often uses specific stills from a film to illustrate things like composition, lighting, acting, makeup, etc - techniques, film making styles that may have originated in the work or even been unique to it. Important details for a film major which make the faults in the fake copy all the more noticeable.

This thing and it's sellers have been granted a 1 out of 5 stars. A concession of 'kudos' for successfully ticking me off.