Rating: 
Summary: Mixed feelings, but overall quite good.
Review: For those wondering how I could have mixed feelings about a book I've given a five-star rating to, let me explain. The true treasures in this book are the wealth of never-before seen photographs and the acknowledgment of many important Second City figures who never became household names (i.e., Severn Darden, Del Close, Don DePollo). Also, the CDs included are invaluable, even though there are many omissions of what are considered classic scenes like "Funeral" and "Museum Piece" (though, to be fair, there's only so much room to be had). The letdown of the book is actually the text. Though quite thorough as a chronological history, there are precious few backstage stories, profiles of personalitites, and discussion of how material was created. Donna McCroahan's now-out-of-print book, "The Second City," was much more informative on these matters, with far more interviews with alumni. You'd think that someone who was in the thick of it all for almost 40 years would bring more insight to the book, but, again, perhaps it was a matter of not having enough space for all the anecdotes. This tome is great to look at, some of the sketches on the CDs are hilarious (though the sound quality is dodgy on some cuts), and, considering the Second City vaults are closed pretty tightly most of time, anything you can find on this influential troupe is worth owning. Also, check out Jeff Sweet's book "Something Wonderful Right Away" and the audio cassettes, "The Best of the Second City," featuring Amy Sedaris, Jill Talley, Stephen Colbert, Tim Kazurinsky, Ron West, Mitch Rouse, and Paul Dinello.
Rating:
Summary: This Book is Amazing
Review: I enjoy the second city and this book was spectacular. It is funny and teh audio cassetes that come with it will make you want to go and see a show!
Rating:
Summary: Funny CD's -- I Enjoyed It
Review: I received this book from Amazon as an early Xmas present from my brother. I was a bit skeptical at first, since I've never been to Second City. It turns out I do know, though, about its people. I was surprised at how many people had come through this group at some point, and the book makes it easy to skim through and read about them. This isn't necessarily a book you'll sit and read from cover to cover. The real cool part is the CD's that come with the book. The book is worth having if only for the John Belushi routine on the first disk and it's interesting to hear the comedy get more edgy over the years. I listen to them in them in the car on the way to work. In all, this made me laugh, and what more could you ask?
Rating: 
Summary: You Can Go Home Again, But Don't Ring The Doorbell
Review: I recieved a free copy of this bound magazine with shiny pictures and pages the other day in my mailbox. I thought maybe it was to thank me for my many years of hard work at The Second City. I eagerly opened it up and was looking forward to taking a trip down memory lane. As I began to thumb through the pages, I came across many pictures and quaotes from Andrew Alexander and Kelly Leonard, and more pictures and quotes from Andrew Alexander and Kelly Leonard. I was happy to find out that all of the inspired, groundbreaking, hard work from 1995 was because of Mr. Leonard and Adam McKays vision. I did find a tiny picture of the great Musical Director Ruby Streak, though she had to share her little page with the Casio player from Toronto, who basically has just been copying everything Miss Streak does. You do get 2 CD's with the magazine and I was glad that they include the classic Second City chestnuts, "Gourd", "Glass Mamet", and "Dirty Doctor". I know whenever I am reminiscing with my fellow Second City alumni and we talk about the three most memorable scenes from the best Second city shows, the answer is always the same, "Gourd", "Glass Mamet", and "Dirty Doctor". I can honestly tell you that they are as well written and performed as anything MAD-TV has ever done. I continued to thumb through the pages and I came across a two-page centerfold "Spotlight" on Len Stuart. It was then that I closed the magazine and I have found that it works great replacing the missing wheel from my television stand.
Rating: 
Summary: What Once Was
Review: I think Sheldon Patinkin has done an excellent job of illustrating what the Second City once was, and what it has now become, a corporate entity. I saw a terrific show there when I was in Chicago a few years ago, and at the end of it an actor did a fabulous rant about all the infiltration of corporate America. Blasting corporate icons like Starbucks and Blockbuster Video, and how they are stripping America of its individuality. He even got people to cut up their Blockbuster Cards! After reading the second half of this book, it is clear that Second City has become what it is trying to subvert. They seem to be looking to open a new theater wherever they can. And that seems very sad to me. What was once the Harvard of comedy, is now just another string of community colleges. Why try to aspire to greatness, when you can just wait for them to open up a Second City in your town. The book is about comedy, but it's really an American tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of fun and very informative
Review: I used to work at Second City myself and I really liked reading this book. I think Sheldon Patinkin did a very good job of covering the history of the place and his examination of the various changes in style and attitude is very interesting and informative. I wish there were more random memories from alumni and staffers, though. I think the quotes give you more a feel for the place on a personal level and besides that, they're very fun to read. I would also highly recommend the book, "Something Wonderful Right Away", a book that got me and many of my friends interested in the place long before we worked there.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for comedy fans
Review: If you are already a fan of Second City -- or of comedy in general -- this is a very entertaining and informative book, containing many nuggets that elucidate the overwhelming impact Second City has had on comedy in the US. But if you know nothing about them, it is not the greatest introduction. It doesn't give a real sense of the improv process. It is accompanied by two CDs of performances. The CD of the early years has pretty bad sound, and some of the performances are dated. THe second CD is great.
Rating:
Summary: Pioneers in Improvisionational Entertainment
Review: It is important to understand what this package (ie book and two audio CDs) is not. It is not a definitive history of the group, nor does it provide detailed biographical information about the group's most prominent members, nor is it a probling analysis of the broader and deeper context in which the group was established and then evolved. Yes, the reader is "taken backstage at the world's greatest comedy theater" but the experience (albeit enjoyable) very much resembles what a family member or friend would probably encounter when literally allowed backstage. After having read the book, I understood more about the group's development and the interaction (onstage) between and among the principals. Perhaps you have seen the Olivier film based on Henry V in which, during the first 12-15 minutes, the viewer is transported back to the Elizabethan Age, to the London theatre world, and to the stage on which Shakespeare's play was performed. Brief scenes backstage are included. When reading this book, I had the same sense of being allowed limited access. Only when the two audio CDs are heard are the unique talents of the various performers brought to life. I view the book as being supplementary to the CDs. Together, they provide exceptional entertainment to those who enjoy comedic improvisation.
Rating:
Summary: A "must" for all Second City fans!
Review: Second City comes with two cds packed with comedy routines and skits, presenting a book which explores the comedy theater's personalities, achievements and founding fathers. Black and white photos from skits pack a lively presentation of Second City routines, personalities and history, making this an exceptional guide for any fan of comedy in general and Second City history in particular. A lovely gift idea.
Rating:
Summary: I put up a bunch of reviews there
Review: Sheldon's portion is great. It's an interesting background on a philosophy. The rest is the most masturbatorial text you'll ever read -- and it praises the tragically mediocre. I worked there over the course of the two managements. It's horrible now. Of course, nobody asked me or fellow cast members who could actually make me laugh.
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