Rating: 
Summary: Like most sequels, this ain't quite as good BUT..
Review: ...it still is very much worth a read. (Goldman has such an easy going, conversational writing style, you can polish off this book a few hours.) One of my favorite all time books is his first Adventures in the Screen Trade, which was the first book that I ever read about how Hollywood really works. (His analysis of The Great Santini is classic.) This book is highly entertaining, but it does not have the sheen of originality that the first book had. And I was really getting a bit tired reading about Butch Cassidy (he even acknowledges that the book's reader might hurl the thing across the room, due to his constant references of that film.) I would much rather have read his thoughts on The Last Action Hero. What the hell was going through the movie makers minds on that one? But overall, this book was lots of fun, especially his analysis of There's Something About Mary and Fargo. And it was fun reading about why that Chevy Chase Invisible Man movie was so horrendous. So, if you like movies, go ahead and read this, but make sure you read the first Adventures in the Screen Trade first.
Rating: 
Summary: Pure Gold, Man!
Review: A wonderful book that far outdoes its predecessor. "Adventures in the Screen Trade" is, understandably, one of the screenwriting textbooks. This sequel certainly deserves even more respect. Having realized who the target audience for this book was by who the first book sold to, Golman is able to write more directly to that specific audience, and the knowledge he passes on is not only entertaining, but invaluable. Divided into four sections, he first accounts a little history of each of the films he's worked on, then he discusses films he didn't work on, and why they worked, then he discusses ideas, by listing news stories and explaining why they would or wouldn't work as movies, and finally, he includes a good chunk of an original screenplay with comments from other WRITERS this time, to give the reader a sense of what script doctors do, just like the first book showed how key production figures comment on a script. Definitely worth your time and money.
Rating:
Summary: The Land of Dreams
Review: After the Adventures in the Screen Trade many years ago, I had to sink my eyes in this second adventure. I must admit to being a Goldman fan. It was a hard volume to put down. I went from cover to cover in a couple of days. Back again a few more times. I laughed so many times I felt dizzy. Kinda got a buzz! Good reads are supposed to do that to you! Goldman's read is cool! It's heavy with experience! He's crossed a lot of bridges, built some, and burned some too! This one is a Do Not Miss read too. As usual, no butt kissing here! He tells it like it is, not how it should be! An E-ride ticket to how things are in Dreamland. Hey, Goldman! We're waiting for the next Adventure!
Rating: 
Summary: A Mixed Bag. Mr. Goldman, maybe it's time for a new editor
Review: An enjoyable read, but I expected more from a screenwriter whose work I have always admired and whose advice in his original "Screen Trade" book is always worth heeding. While the book is rich with good observations on why some scripts fail and others practically write themselves, where was Mr. Goldman's editor? For example: "November 15 and good news-maybe Frank Darabont would spitball with me. (Darabond had one of the great directing debuts with The Shawshank Redemption and wrote that remarkable script)." While I don't disagree with Mr. Goldman's opionion about Shawshank, how could he manage to misspell Darabont's name, and, perhaps more amazingly, how could his editor miss such an error? I don't mean to be nitpicky and only offer the above as an example of other egregious errors in the book. "Tony Hopkins came next. For me, along with Morgan Freeman, the two best movie actors of the era." Does Mr. Goldman mean to say that he and Morgan Freeman agree that Tony Hopkins is "the two best movie actors of the era" or does he mean to say that Hopkins and Freeman together are the two best movie actors of the era? Again, a good editor would have helped. Despite the occasional grammatical offense from a man who is otherwise an excellent writer, the book is entertaining. The casual tone of the book made me think that sitting down to talk to Mr. Goldman or hearing him lecture would be exceedingly fascinating. Next time, I hope Mr. Goldman decides to pick up a microphone in a lecture hall before picking up a pen and paper. "Which Lie Did I Tell" is worth the read, but it's also probably worth the wait for paperback.
Rating: 
Summary: I would honestly have to say!
Review: Calls this book is a pile of graphik mumbo jumbo in which a bmxer could write!
Rating:
Summary: Very Funny, Insightful, and Smart
Review: Even though I'm a big fan of Goldman's films and his previous book, Adventures in the Screen Trade, and I found this book to be some of his best work yet. Goldman has always said that he has no clue how Hollywood works, but by the end of this great piece, you'll realize that he truly has more knowledge than he knows. WHICH LIE... contains stories from his experiences as a working screenwriter. Each chapter, which is geared towards a different movie he wrote or doctored, contains hilarious anecdotes about actors, directors, producers, and anyone else that Goldman thinks he should make fun of. The stories move quickly and are funny yet intelligent at the same time. I personally have read this book over five times because I enjoy reading his accounts of insane directors and egotistical stars over and over. Some parts are laugh out loud funny, and some will make you think about just how fast our nation is going to Hell. Even though many other people have said that this book isn't as good as ADVENTURES, the one thing everyone must realize is that this is a completely different type of book. ADVENTURES laid down the foundation of his stories by describing how things in Hollywood work while WHICH LIE just gives the reader inside information to how things have changed. He's not trying to make as much of a point as he did in ADVENTURES, and that is exactly why this is truly one of the best Hollywood insider books I've ever read. It's definitely worth your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Shattered My Image of Goldman
Review: For Screenwriters, William Goldman is a role model, a hero, or even a god. That is BEFORE reading this book. His cynical attitude really puts into perspective what a hack he is and that he "just got lucky." He even includes the first half of a screenplay for us to read and evaluate. It is absolutely terrible... terrible writing and terrible concept. My image of "can't do wrong" Goldman is definitely shattered after reading this book. Which, I think, is a good thing. It is nice to know that he is human and can hash out crap just like the rest of us.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect companion for the first book
Review: Goldman is not only the wisest of authors writing about screenwriting, he probably has the best credentials for doing it. A writer's writer, Goldman supplies another treasure trove of advice, inspiration and insight for the screenwriter. Some say this book doesn't compare to the first, but the two go together remarkably well. This book illuminates one of the great dilemnas of screenwriting careers - keeping them alive. Goldman talks about his 'leper years' with great honesty and describes his road back, including the good (Princess Bride, Misery) and the bad (Year of the Comet). If you're a writer, you should already own this book. If you're interested in movies, even remotely, you should own both volumes of Adventures in the Screen Trade. And finally, if you like good writing, it's tough to go wrong with William Goldman.
Rating:
Summary: Great entertainment about entertainment
Review: Goldman manages to teach about screenwriting, describe his career, and provide practical advice about watching (and writing) movies, all in an endlessly entertaining package. Great stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Great entertainment about entertainment
Review: Goldman manages to teach about screenwriting, describe his career, and provide practical advice about watching (and writing) movies, all in an endlessly entertaining package. Great stuff.
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