Customer Reviews

Pretty Things: The Last Generation of American Burlesque Queens

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An artistic design layout provides the reader with lots of photos and scrapbook pages of original costume sketches, fabric swatches, letters, postcards, and lots more. This visual collage is a wonderful piece of film toward understanding the life these women lived. Their attitude and sex appeal as we know it only disguised the reality of their life, tough working conditions and a career contingent of youth and beauty eventually leading these women to fall on hard times and in the end forgotten.

An enlightening look at a largely misunderstood/misinterpreted art form, this book combines rigorous scholarship, engaging narrative, rare photos, and well-executed design. Liz Goldwyn's love of the subject matter is clear and infectious. Highly recommended, as is the author's HBO special of the same name.

The scholarly introduction is the first dropped shoulder strap promising all the pretty things to come. And we are carried away to behold the depths and heights and endless invention of the fine art of burlesque by the ladies who are never at a loss for a loss; creative and subtle. This book belongs in every library in every home because it is about all the things that make life worth while and it deserves recognition for its artistic and educational merit.

I just received this book in the mail, and i have only one word for it - Stunning.

This book is full of beautiful photos and sketches of original costumes, and there's a wealth of written information to go with the pretty pictures!
Even the presentation is lovely, i'm really impressed with the matte pink binding - it'll look great in my book case ;)

Go ahead and order this book, you won't be disappointed.

i could not put this book down.as big as it is,i read it in 2 days.so far i have read 3 books about burlesque and this one tops the cake.i rented this book from the library but now i will purchase it.this is a book you must own and the details in the book are priceless.

If the book title sounds familiar, it's because Liz Goldwyn's HBO documentary of the same name aired in July 2005 to much acclaim, covering the history of American burlesque. If you think you've seen it all in the show, think again: the book holds much more! Here are personal stories, career overviews, and biographies of some of the most talented genre stars. Burlesque history comes alive here as in no other collection, making PRETTY THINGS a 'must' for any holding strong in American arts history, from general-interest to college-level libraries.

"Pretty Things" will make any modernist long for this by-gone era of subtle seduction and skill. The text and incorporated research are as beguiling as the photographs and innovative mix of graphics. A piece to swoon over and share with all.

This book is a fantastic depiction of the burlesque queens of the past. Detailing their costumes, lives and performances. It has been stunningly put together tempting the reader to each new page. Fantastic!

this is an excellent book. super nice pictures. its very helpful for anyone interested in vintage costumes. my only problem with the book is that no pictures or information was provided about the beautiful sherry britton, whom was featured in the documentatry and I would have loved to have some pics of her amazing costumes! all in all, wonderful book. I also recommend Dita von Teese's "Burlesque And The Art Of The Teese" and "Les Girls". both have amazing pictures of vintage burlesque outfits.

I was really impressed with this book - a perfect balance of photos and text, and well written. I enjoyed the in depth biographies of the burlesque stars, mixed with notes from the costume designers and other ephemera. Not just another book on burlesque, but a true tribute to the art.
Highly recommended!