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Jim Henson The Biography Brian Jay Jones Books

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Jim Henson The Biography Brian Jay Jones Books

The author of this book spent five years writing his manuscript. In meticulous detail, Brian Kay Jones interviewed Jim Henson's family members, creative partners, and business colleagues to inform the public what a remarkable human being Jim was, how driven he was to make the creative process "fun," and how devoted he was to the Children's Television Workshop and to the Muppets. Fully twenty percent of the manuscript consists of footnotes and photographs. In my opinion, the greatest strength of this book is also its greatest weakness: too much fascinating information about how each Muppet was created, how Sesame Street came to be, and how television technology evolved. Mr. Jones reveals how Jim's ancestors influenced his love of family stories, how the death of his older brother, Paul, in an automobile accident, affected the entire family, and how Jim meets and marries Jane Nebel, a fellow puppeteer. They will have five children, and they will support Jim through his huge successes with the world-renown Muppets and his less-than-successful movies, "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal." As the years pass, the reader sees just how running a business saps the creative energy needed to develop new ideas and projects.

I dreaded reaching the end of this very long book. I didn't want to hear how Jim would die and how his death would affect his family and business colleagues. As I expected, I was in tears long before I reached the end of this book. I choose to remember Jim Henson from these two quotations.

"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who makes a difference in this world. My hope is to leave this world a little bit better for my being here."

"I know it is easier to portray a world that's filled with cynicism and anger, where problems are solved with violence. What is a whole lot tougher is to offer other alternatives, to present other ways conflicts can be resolved, and to show that you can have a positive impact on your world. To do that, you have to put yourself out on a limb, take chances, and run the risk of being called a do-gooder."

For anyone who wishes to learn how the Muppets came to be, how they evolved, and how they have changed the world, I would recommend reading this book. But be forewarned, there will be pain as one learns how human this genius was and how he left this world. He is sorely missed.


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Jim Henson The Biography Brian Jay Jones Books Reviews

This detailed biography reveals one of the most talented entertainment creators of the 20th century. I had no idea of the breadth and scope of Henson's career until I heard this book. The Muppets started right around when television as a mass medium took off, and were a success a full ten years before the creation of Sesame Street. Henson was quick to realize the potential of television, and pioneered many innovative production techniques. By the time of his sudden death in 1990 (he was only 53), he ran a sprawling entertainment empire with operations in New York, London, California and Canada.

Although a few aspects of the book get a little repetitive (yes, we know he worked hard and enjoyed doing so), this is clearly the definitive work on Henson's life. Jones had full access to many people and to Henson's archives, quoting frequently from his diary, letters, and other original sources.

Kirby Heyborne's performance for the audiobook is unique. It's the first time I've listened to a book read where the narrator actively imitates the voices of various people quoted in the book. Henson is read with a mild southern drawl, associates in London have British accents, and Kermit sounds like Kermit. Again I repeat my plea to the publisher Please package using MP3 CD's, which have been a thing for over a decade now.
The many positive reviews about this book say it all, so I'll just throw in my general opinion...
I rated the book highly because I really enjoyed it. I specifically liked the author's writing style, the pacing of the book, the amount of information, the included pictures, and the subject himself. I grew up with Jim Henson's creations, whether on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, or elsewhere. This book gave me insight on the man behind the characters who gave me some of my happy childhood memories. I'm glad to have been able to get to know Jim Henson a little bit better.
This may be the best biography I’ve ever read, well-researched and beautifully written. While under its spell, I felt immersed in creative energy. I experienced being in the zone—felt my synapses firing, my imagination blazing; what I would have thought incomprehensible was suddenly possible. That sensation never left me while reading this book; I was never bored, even though the epic is nearly 600 pages long.
Jones conducted extensive interviews with Henson’s family and colleagues to research Jim Henson The Biography. He also consulted Henson’s personal journal, and reviewed pertinent documents and footage.
Best of all, as I read, I got to know the real Jim Henson, and he was just as funny, kind, imaginative, intelligent, and crazy as the little glimpses of him that I caught occasionally on television through the years.
When my husband and I became parents, Sesame Street became part of our daily routine (how I miss it!) and later, we enjoyed The Muppet Show and multiple Muppet movies. I didn’t realize Henson’s body of work went much further than that.
Jim Henson left behind an incredible legacy in his creations. But he also generously gave of himself to his family and his colleagues. His positive example continues to be a frame of reference that people who knew him well emulate in their own lives.
Brian Jay Jones devoted five years to researching and writing his biography of Jim Henson, which he calls his “dream project.” He also includes many photographs and meticulous notes. There are so many moments of beauty in this book, so many anecdotes, so many belly laughs, and a few tears. I read Jim Henson The Biography during the months before and after hip replacement surgery. Living in Henson’s world helped me escape my pain. Even if you’re not recovering from surgery, this book is well worth the time to read.
The author of this book spent five years writing his manuscript. In meticulous detail, Brian Kay Jones interviewed Jim Henson's family members, creative partners, and business colleagues to inform the public what a remarkable human being Jim was, how driven he was to make the creative process "fun," and how devoted he was to the Children's Television Workshop and to the Muppets. Fully twenty percent of the manuscript consists of footnotes and photographs. In my opinion, the greatest strength of this book is also its greatest weakness too much fascinating information about how each Muppet was created, how Sesame Street came to be, and how television technology evolved. Mr. Jones reveals how Jim's ancestors influenced his love of family stories, how the death of his older brother, Paul, in an automobile accident, affected the entire family, and how Jim meets and marries Jane Nebel, a fellow puppeteer. They will have five children, and they will support Jim through his huge successes with the world-renown Muppets and his less-than-successful movies, "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal." As the years pass, the reader sees just how running a business saps the creative energy needed to develop new ideas and projects.

I dreaded reaching the end of this very long book. I didn't want to hear how Jim would die and how his death would affect his family and business colleagues. As I expected, I was in tears long before I reached the end of this book. I choose to remember Jim Henson from these two quotations.

"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who makes a difference in this world. My hope is to leave this world a little bit better for my being here."

"I know it is easier to portray a world that's filled with cynicism and anger, where problems are solved with violence. What is a whole lot tougher is to offer other alternatives, to present other ways conflicts can be resolved, and to show that you can have a positive impact on your world. To do that, you have to put yourself out on a limb, take chances, and run the risk of being called a do-gooder."

For anyone who wishes to learn how the Muppets came to be, how they evolved, and how they have changed the world, I would recommend reading this book. But be forewarned, there will be pain as one learns how human this genius was and how he left this world. He is sorely missed.