Herzog on Herzog by Paul Cronin, Werner Herzog Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Herzog on Herzog
Book Review: NOT AN EXAGGERATION
Summary: 3 Stars
I actually counted the 320 books of my collection, including some other books by Faber&Faber, to say this: Although the text is actually rich and enlightens the otherwise dark style of Mr. Herzog, the quality of the book is extremely poor, the poorest among the books I own. There's something funny about the way the edges were cut, the first two pictures (pgs. 40-43) are actually the same, and in general, the images are poorly, poorly printed. It would have been wiser to just skip pictures for this volume and leave the text. So, again, If you're a fan of Mr. Herzog, I definitely suggest this book (I'd actually give 5 stars to Paul Cronin), but if you're picky about your "reading experience", you'd better buy something else.Book Review: The Enigma of Werner Herzog
Summary: 4 Stars
There is no shortage of journal articles on the films of Werner Herzog, but sadly articles from academic journals remain generally inaccessible to the general public. It is somewhat ironic that Herzog has spent his career raging against the stifling and stultifying pursuit of film as a theoretical and academic discourse, yet his cinema has largely achieved its prominent position due to the laudatory position he is held in by the academy. This is just one of many paradoxes that lie at the heart of his cinema (another is Herzog's disavowal of political readings of his films, but in some cases such as "Even Dwarf's Started Small" this is impossible). These are just some of the areas Herzog discusses with Editor Paul Cronin in "Herzog on Herzog". Faber and Faber have been publishing this range of interview books for some years now, with other highlights including David Lynch and David Cronenberg, but Herzog's is a somewhat surprising entry. But at last fans of Herzog finally have an affordable book on his cinema, which doesn't get bogged down in academic hyperbole. Anyone searching for more anecdotes of the raving Klaus Kinski will probably be disappointed; many of the stories and views Herzog expresses have been covered before, notably on the commentary tracks of Anchor Bay's DVD releases. I find it far more interesting when the discussion is placed on films such as "Herdsmen of the Sun", "Ballad of the Little Soldiers" or "The Dark Glow of the Mountains", obscure and hard to find documentaries which have a somewhat exotic position in Herzog's filmography. However Herzog is clearly uncomfortable when asked to elucidate on the meanings and metaphors of his work and is on far stronger and entertaining ground when ranting against cinema verite, Hollywood or Film Schools.Book Review: splendid
Summary: 5 Stars
herzog manages to spend his entire life getting into adventures. and the stories he relates make you wonder how much is exaggeration, or even made up. either way, it is a fascinating read. this book will appeal to those not necessarily attracted to his films in particular, and for those who are keen on his work i would say this was essential. as a prolific filmmaker and adventure-getter-into, his life is inspiring in that it makes me want to get off my arse and do something challenging and life affirming. or maybe i'll just lie in bed and read the book one more time!
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