Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The mysteries of handmade bamboo fly rods revealed.
In Constructing Cane Rods, world-renowned rodbuilder Ray Gould shares a lifetime's worth of wisdom about bamboo fly rods. Clear, concise, and to-the-point, Gould's writing is packed with detailed, instructive information on every facet of rod building, repair, and appraisal.
Beginning with an overview of commercial rod production and antique rod appraisal, Gould moves on to describe how to properly repair any old rods that might be collecting dust in your basement. He walks you through every component of bamboo fly rods, with photos, diagrams, and charts to clear up any confusion. You'll even learn to make your very own cane rod from scratch, with ample time dedicated to sourcing and utilizing the tools and materials required by this precise and rewarding craft. This is a wonderful book for committed rod builders, collectors, restorers, or anyone who appreciates the humble beauty of a hand-crafted bamboo fly rod.
Synopsis
Charles Boyer, the "great lover" was the definition of polished European virility in the thirties and forties, and mesmerized his costars wit the same masterful ease that wooed his fans into theaters. Larry Swindell shows here that although this consummate actor, son of French bourgeoisie, always retained a balanced perspective in the face of his worldwide celebrity, the public did not. The Boyer myth grew to such proportion that it achieved a life of its own. Much like Bogart's "Play it again, Sam," Boyer's "Come wiz me to zee casbah," was never spoken by him except in the popular imagination.
In this richly detailed biography, Larry Swindell dispels the myths and reveals the professional and personal contrasts of a man whose career began in ways more fabulous than the imaginings of any studio publicity department: he rose from obscurity to become the overnight sensation of Parisian theater when, on twenty-four hours' notice, he replaced the ailing lead in a major production. A dazzling survivor in an industry of notorious failures, he was passionately devoted to his art, his country, and his wife.
With the Golden Age of Hollywood as a backdrop, Boyer's private and professional lives are explored: His reputation as the "great louvair," (enhanced as much by his real-life romance with his wife as by the casting with such leading ladies as Dietrich, Garbo, and Hepburn), his involvement with the French Resistance movement, and his friendships with such Hollywood greats as Henry Fonda, David Niven, and Ingrid Bergman.
Readers interested in related titles from Larry Swindell will also want to see: Body and Soul (ISBN: 1626546150), Screwball (ISBN: 1626546258), Spencer Tracy; a biography (ISBN: 1626548072), The Last Hero (ISBN: 1626545642).