As a very knowlegeable Three Stooges fan, I can honestly say that I've read almost every book available relating to the boys. Having read The Three Stooges Encyclopedia, I can also tell you, in my opinion, it is the best one out there.
Jay Leno once said "half the world loves the Stooges and the other half wonders why". Mr. Kurson does a wonderful job of bringing the latter side closer with his painstaking research and understanding of what made the Stooges funny. Being the Stoogefile that I am, I loved parts 2-4 which contained the most complete listing of every possible name of anything or anyone in every Stooge short. It was a great reminder of why I love them as much as I do.
For the non-Stooge fan (yes I know- some do exist!), if they were to read part 5 (which gave a detailed synopsis of every Stooge short ever made) then I'm sure they would be a Stooge fan now!
To the two narrow-minded critics of this book, please tell me where else you can find the words to the Maharaja routine or the words to Ze Lollipop song? Before you critique any other books, I suggest you ask yourselves one simple question; "What is the author trying to accomplish?"
What Mr. Kurson was able to accomplish through his seemingly painstaking (but enjoyable) research , was what made the Three Stooges the geniuses they were- it was their attention to detail. It's the names of their employers (Mr. A. Mouser, among others). It's where they worked (The Los Arms Hospital). Or even where they relaxed (The Hotel Coste Plente).
Any book can tell you about their history, from the days with Ted Healy and the Annette Kellerman Diving Girls to when their comeback occurred. However, no other book illustrates so vividly their verbal humour (and attention to the little written details) that made them what they were.
For that Mr. Kurson, I'm sure you made the boys proud. And as an author, you're the most intellgent imbecile who's every written a book about the Stooges. Excelsior!
A STOOGES FAN DREAM COME TRUE
Rating: 5/5
This book has everything you need to know about The Stooges. It is well organized and easy to navigate. The detail of the classic episodes is worth the price alone. I highly recommend this book.
A Rehash of Lines and Names. Not Much Here.
Rating: 2/5
I completely agree with other reviewers: that all one had to do is watch the Stooges shorts and write down the funny lines and names and voila you have Three Stooges Encyclopedia.
I give it two stars just because the section on supporting actors is interesting. Otherwise the rest is just a rehash of lines and names. The bios are even disappointing, it has stuff like, "We all want to be Curly."
I would advise to look elsewhere if you want a book on THE THREE STOOGES.
Jay Leno once said "half the world loves the Stooges and the other half wonders why". Mr. Kurson does a wonderful job of bringing the latter side closer with his painstaking research and understanding of what made the Stooges funny. Being the Stoogefile that I am, I loved parts 2-4 which contained the most complete listing of every possible name of anything or anyone in every Stooge short. It was a great reminder of why I love them as much as I do.
For the non-Stooge fan (yes I know- some do exist!), if they were to read part 5 (which gave a detailed synopsis of every Stooge short ever made) then I'm sure they would be a Stooge fan now!
To the two narrow-minded critics of this book, please tell me where else you can find the words to the Maharaja routine or the words to Ze Lollipop song? Before you critique any other books, I suggest you ask yourselves one simple question; "What is the author trying to accomplish?"
What Mr. Kurson was able to accomplish through his seemingly painstaking (but enjoyable) research , was what made the Three Stooges the geniuses they were- it was their attention to detail. It's the names of their employers (Mr. A. Mouser, among others). It's where they worked (The Los Arms Hospital). Or even where they relaxed (The Hotel Coste Plente).
Any book can tell you about their history, from the days with Ted Healy and the Annette Kellerman Diving Girls to when their comeback occurred. However, no other book illustrates so vividly their verbal humour (and attention to the little written details) that made them what they were.
For that Mr. Kurson, I'm sure you made the boys proud. And as an author, you're the most intellgent imbecile who's every written a book about the Stooges. Excelsior!