Eugene B. Bergmann's Books

Excelsior, You Fathead!

The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd

By: Eugene B. Bergmann

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Excelsior, You Fathead!

The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd

By: Eugene B. Bergmann

Jean Shepherd (1921-1999), master humorist, is best known for his creation A Christmas Story, the popular movie about the child who wants a BB gun for Christmas and nearly shoots his eye out. What else did Shepherd do? He is considered by many to be the Mark Twain and James Thurber of his day. For many thousands of fans, for decades, “Shep” talked on the radio late at night, keeping them up way past their bedtimes. He entertained without a script, improvising like a jazz musician, on any and every subject you can imagine. He invented and remains the master of talk radio. Shepherd perpetrated one of the great literary hoaxes of all time, promoting a nonexistent book and author, and then brought the book into existence. He wrote 23 short stories for Playboy, four times winning their humor of the year award, and also interviewed The Beatles for the magazine. He authored several popular books of humor and satire, created several television series and acted in several plays. He is the model for the character played by Jason Robards in the play and movie A Thousand Clowns, as well as the inspiration for the Shel Silverstein song made famous by Johnny Cash, “A Boy Named Sue.” Readers will learn the significance of innumerable Shepherd words and phrases, such as “Excelsior, you fathead ” and observe his constant confrontations with the America he loved. They will get to know and understand this multitalented genius by peeking behind the wall he built for himself – a wall to hide a different and less agreeable persona. Through interviews with his friends, co-workers and creative associates, such as musician David Amram, cartoonist and playwright Jules Feiffer, publisher and broadcaster Paul Krassner, and author Norman Mailer, the book explains a complex and unique genius of our time. “Shepherd pretty much invented talk radio ... What I got of him was a wonder at the world one man could create. I am as awed now by his achievement as I was then.” – Richard Corliss, Time magazine online

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493

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield

Published Date

ISBN 10

1476848823

ISBN 13

9781476848822

Rio Amazonas

By: Eugene B. Bergmann

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Rio Amazonas

By: Eugene B. Bergmann

Rio Amazonas is a novel. The characters never existed, the actions never happened, the words were never said, but, modifying and elaborating the standard assertions of a disclaimer at the beginning, "Salutations, Disclaimer, Etcetera" describes the book's more intricate truth/fiction relationship. A section called "Introductions" begins the story. "Rape is the only honest commerce," says Howard, the entrepreneur, thus announcing one of the book's main themesrape of bodies, minds, and cultures. A group of American museum people in Lima, Peru plan to exploit the country for cultural and personal advantage. Ernest, the exhibit designer/protagonist, attracted to Darci, a cool young museum coordinator, is reluctant to chance an affair, and, moreover, feels outclassed by his male companions. In the main section, the book is divided into three parts, recounting exploits of the American adventurers. With each chapter, Ernest attempts advances in his increasingly fervent pursuit of Darci. Peru's geography is divided north to south into three bands (the desert coast, the highland stronghold of the ancient Inca empire, and the tropical jungle), so the book is divided into parts focused on each area. As, metaphorically, all roads once led to Rome, in Peru, all paths and jet flights lead in and out of Lima on the Pacific desert edge of the country. Lima and the search for Inca gold in the Highlands: goaded into professional conscience by the designer, Franklin O'Rourke, the brash young archeologist on the brink of fame and fortune, is undone by an integrity he did not know he had. Lima and the Coast: Dr. Janus Bodkin, curmudgeonly, womanizing old archeologist, his premier textile discovery ravaged by rich collectors, chooses an immortal interment he had not contemplated. Lima and the Amazon: Dr. Jeffrey Fortune, sensual ethnologist, realizing his own unethical behavior and ready to take the money and run, meets a bloody end in an Indian uprising. A tame, miniature Disney World-in-the-making reverts to mayhem in the Amazon: reality runs amuck. Darci meets a fate better than death in the disorienting aftermath of the localized jungle apocalypse. Uncertain as to their mutual feelings, pursued by hostile savages, Darci and Ernest escape down river. She offers non-committal sex, and he gambles by holding out for love. Truth and fiction merge, uncertainties arise: will love conquer all? will fantasies come true? will art triumph? We all crave happy endings: in a blue mist, Ernest and Darci consummate their love in "Rio Amazonas," a brief "romantic novel," short and sweet. "Postscript": a final page and life everlasting.

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Page Count

203

Publisher

Xlibris Corporation

Published Date

ISBN 10

1469111306

ISBN 13

9781469111308

Excelsior, You Fathead!

The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd

By: Eugene B. Bergmann

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Excelsior, You Fathead!

The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd

By: Eugene B. Bergmann

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

493

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield

Published Date

ISBN 10

1476848823

ISBN 13

9781476848822

Book's by Eugene B. Bergmann

Excelsior, You Fathead!

Excelsior, You Fathead!

Rio Amazonas

Rio Amazonas

Excelsior, You Fathead!

Excelsior, You Fathead!

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