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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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Summary: The Rest Of The Story?
Review: The first half of this book is such an excellent look at the early years of the Second City, it is really such a shame the rest of the book is filled with self-serving, half-truths from the current producers. I didn't plunk down $40 dollars just to read quote after quote from the producers Andrew Alexander and Kelly Leonard. I'm sure the actors who have had to work for Mr. Leonard and Alexander would tell a very different story. Unfortunately their views are nowhere to be found. It is no wonder that the original producer Joyce Sloan has opened her own theater after being forced out by Mr. Alexander. But of course that story is nowhere to be found in the book.
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Summary: So-So Book, Great CD set!
Review: There are far better books on the history of The Second City for those who want to know the personalities of those who created it from an objective and historical perspective.I've never been to a Second City show and that strikes me the same way as when I think that, I could have bought IBM or Microsoft on the ground floor and been there at the very beginning. Granted, I wouldn't be a millionaire today if I had seen Robert Klein or George Wendt or Bill Murray or Mike Meyers working their gifts on stage in their prime, but it would be a great feeling to know I got to see them before they become television and comedy legends. Its something to tell the grandkids about, being able to say, "I saw Belushi on stage with Radner long before Saturday Night Live." This book sgives the reader, if nothing else, a sense of intimacy and connection to the stage and the personalities of SC. This is a yearbook for Second City, much the same as the Saturday Night Live 20th Anniversary book was years back. It doesn't talk about the show in depth or with any significantly abrasive conflict, but as art and as an institution to be measured on the surface and by its product of great stage and screen talent. It is a great coffee table book that covers a long history and a lot of personalities with really, really big pictures and bright colors to make it pretty. It does have a great set of CDs with original SC performances ranging from the days of Klein and Rivers to David Sedaris and others of the new generation. It is worth maybe $30 of the price of the book, which balances out the remainder of the cost for the big pictures and pretty pages.
Rating: 
Summary: Second to None
Review: This is an extraordinary chronicle of the most important theater movement in a hundred years. Following "The Compass" by Janet Coleman and "Something Wonderful Right Away" by Jeffrey Sweet, this is required reading. Sheldon Patinkin has captured the story of the people and the times of The Second City in a fashion that will engage those who have not been part of the Improv movement and will give a wonderfully informed perspective the initiated. For the CDs alone, the book is worth it. For the photographs alone, the book is worth it. For the spotlights on personalities it is worth it. The narrative is crisp, and clear, and personal. As I read I felt I was listening to the story told in a kitchen with a beer in my hand. The only thing that he leaves out is mention of the story beyond The Second City of the hundreds of Improv clubs and playing teams and the thousands of players, and now millions of audience members who have never been to a Second City show yet who have been inspired by this great history.
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Summary: Second City FAR from Second Best!!!
Review: Who wrote the book on funny? Sheldon Patinkin, the author of "The Second City: Backstage at the World's Greatest Comedy Theater." This book is packed with information on everyone whose ever worked at any of the Second City's. The CDs are absolutly hilarious! This book is written so well, and everybody knows just about everyone in this book. If you liked "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," you'll be suprised to find out, just as I was, that Nia Vardalos, the main character and her real life husband, Ian Gomez both worked at "The Second City." This book is many biogrpahies in one, making it a great book! It's really worth it, don't hesitate with this one!!!
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