Signs of Life [Paperback]

Madsen Michael (Author), Michael P. Naughton (Co-editor), Donna Novak (Co-editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2006

SIGNS OF LIFE is actor/poet Michael Madsen's (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, et al) first book of photography that chronicles his eye for the unusual: from the hotels, diners, and hip lounges to the vanishing small shops and businesses that have become an endangered species in today s sea of corporate logos. This book also captures the rusted, abandoned symbols of where life once was, hence the other signs of life. From cool haunts in Toronto such as: The Cadillac Lounge and The Silver Dollar Room, to the chilling and tragic locals of Texas to Terezin and the immensity of Bejing s Great Wall of China. Featuring 78 original photos that were shot by Michael Madsen while on location, these photos have appeared at art exhibitions throughout the world. 35 new poetry selections are interspersed and contrast the visuals which once again prove Madsen as an accomplished and actualized American poet. This book follows the success of Madsen's 10 Year Anniversary Edition;The Complete Poetic Works of Michael Madsen, Vol I: 1995-2005. This is a special Limited Edition release of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I have always been interested in photography, but never intended to have a book of my own photographs. I don t know that much about cameras, and being a motion picture actor, I don t even enjoy having still photos taken of me. A while back I was in New York and I went to a gallery in Soho run by Tony Shafrazi. Dennis Hopper had a collection of pictures on display he had taken of doors from all over the world. I realized then that you can take photos of just about anything and make it interesting. Dennis pictures were beautiful and thought provoking. I got an idea to shoot different kinds of signs while I was in Toronto working on Tilt for ESPN. I have learned a little more about cameras and I m going to take a lot more photos in the future; however, this will be the first book published called Signs of Life. Here s hoping that there will be someone out there who will enjoy them. --Michael Madsen 2005

SIGNS OF LIFE is actor/poet Michael Madsen s (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, et al) first book of photography that chronicles his eye for the unusual: from the hotels, diners, and hip lounges to the vanishing small shops and businesses that have become an endangered species in today s sea of corporate logos. This book also captures the rusted, abandoned symbols of where life once was, hence the other signs of life. From cool haunts in Toronto such as: The Cadillac Lounge and The Silver Dollar Room, to the chilling and tragic locals of Texas to Terezin and the immensity of Bejing s Great Wall of China. New poetry selections are interspersed and contrast the visuals which once again prove Madsen as an accomplished and actualized American poet. --Michael P. Naughton, Editor, 13 Hands Publications

About the Author

At 6' 2 and 190 pounds, Michael Madsen - equally adept at portraying heroic as well as villainous characters. There's just something in the way he delivers his lines with an underlying aggression masked behind his gravelly tones that makes you feel very uneasy about his true intentions! Madsen first learned his craft at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, where he worked under John Malkovich, one of the theater's founders. His first few film roles were minor ones, in such projects as Against All Hope, Racing with the Moon and The Natural. His work received considerable notice, however, after his knife-edged performance as deranged killer Vince Miller in Kill Me Again and then as Susan Sarandon's rough-edged boyfriend Jimmy in Thelma & Louise. His big breakthrough, however, came as the sadistic jewel thief Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino's low-budget hit Reservoir Dogs. Movie audiences were glued to their seats as Madsen playfully danced around a tied-down and terrified police officer, slicing him with a knife and splashing gasoline all over the petrified man, all to the cheery tunes of Stealer's Wheels' Stuck In the Middle With You. Not to be typecast, Madsen surprised many with his performance as foster parent Glen Greenwood in the hit family movie Free Willy before returning to another criminal role as bank robber Rudy Travis in the remake of the Steve McQueen heist flick The Getaway, and then back again as Glen Greenwood in Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home. Madsen continues to turn in edge-of-the-seat performances as morally bankrupt individuals on the wrong side of the law, as in his intense on-screen showings in Donnie Brasco, Mulholland Falls, and High Noon. In 2003 he teamed up again with Tarantino in both volumes of Tarantino's magnum martial arts/revenge opus Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 as the coldly evil Budd (aka Sidewinder). In addition to his film work, Madsen has contributed dialogue to two of Sony PlayStations's biggest-selling games, Grand Theft Auto 3 and Driv3r, as well as writing several books of his own poetry. Although uncomfortable with fame, Madsen's star continues to shine in Hollywood and his droll, yet captivating acting style is ensuring him a steady flow of work as one on the screen's favorite heavies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: 13 Hands Publications (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976726017
• ISBN-13: 978-0976726012
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,365,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book, May 30, 2011

By 

William D. Rupe "Geezer" (Hesperia, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Signs of Life (Paperback)

I'm a Michael Madsen fan and I am happy to have this book of his photography and poetry. Sits proudly on my living room coffee table and I peruse it regularly. Seller got it to me safely and quickly.

5.0 out of 5 stars A vibrantly distinctive compilation that smoothly fuses art, life, experience, and at the close, the tragic site of Terezin., November 5, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signs of Life (Paperback)

Actor and poet Michael Madsen presents Signs of Life, a stunning blend of full-color photography and free-verse poetry. Featuring a full-color photographs of unusual signs from hotels, diners, lounges, small businesses, and more, Signs of Life enhances the brilliant glimpses of Americana with scattering of free-verse poems, many of them about life on the road. A vibrantly distinctive compilation that smoothly fuses art, life, experience, and at the close, the tragic site of Terezin. "Terezin": We went to the camp today, / A place of death and horror, / A place like no other I've ever been. // Surviving. Alone. Lost and forgotten. / Left for dead - // Work will set you free: Arbeit Macht Frei

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry with balls! What else would you expect from an American Badass?, July 16, 2006

By 

B*N*B "FilmReelGirl" (S.C.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Signs of Life (Hardcover)

Another book showing us more about the man behind the actor. Michael is a very deep and caring man who sees so much in life whether it be good or bad. He notices things other people probably don't and would rather not notice, with this book "Signs of Life" not only did he write about them he has also made the step into photographing them as well. Influenced by his pal Dennis Hopper's display of pictures he had taken of doors from all over the world, Michael worked from that idea and created an interesting book of his own. The book is dedicated to the memory of his ole friend Chris Penn and includes a very touching poem about him as well. This book shows us that already a lot has happened to Michael since we read new poetry from him; he has of course filmed more movies, was unfortunately surrounded by a lot of deaths, in general living out more of the "lonely actor's life" - having to be away from his family, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of his latest son Luke. Michael can really make you think and makes you look at things in a whole new light. I am so glad that he didn't give up on his writings, hopefully soon the rest of the world will see his talent in all that he does, and acknowledge him for it all. You are so talented in everything you do Michael, don't ever stop! You and 13 Hand's keep up the great work... Paz!!!!!!!!!!! (originally written July 16, 2006)