The Operator : David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood
Author: Tom King
List Price: $25.95
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ISBN: 0679457542
Publisher: Random House (07 March, 2000)
Sales Rank: 6,909
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5
A Good Read
Great inside story about David Geffen with loads of references to other Hollywood players as well. Although the book focuses on Geffen, I feel I have a better understanding of the entertainment industry as a whole.I do not recommend this this book if your goal is to learn what agents or entertainment moguls do from day-to-day. Most of the book focuses on Geffen's personality, relationships, and business deals.
Tom King, the author, does a great job of presenting an immense ammount of information in a very organized, clear manner. That said, there are many characters here and it's easy to confuse who is who.
If you're curious about the business end of Hollwood, or just looking for a good biography, I suggest you read this book.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Makes Machiavelli Look Like Snow White!
I found this to be a fascinating, can't-put-it-down read. It's journalistic writing at its best. Tom King tells the story of David Geffen's life so far with many details and lots of insider gossip, but a definite portrait of the man and entrepreneur emerges with almost no editorial comment or interpretation from the author. The first half is better than the second half, but almost all rags-to-riches stories are. Deal-making is deal-making, but even so, Geffen is in a class by himself. King's account of how he got Mo Ostin out of the way so he could negotiate with Steve Ross at Warner Communications will leave you breathless.
I walked around at work several days after finishing the book wanting to be like Geffen. Still waiting to get up the nerve to use a favorite Geffen quote: "I don't give a shit what some people think."
Rating: 5 out of 5
Excellent Book
This book is almost impossible to put down. Geffen's life has been truly extraoridinary and it provides an excellent story. Buy this book if you have any interest in the entertainment industry or business in general. Similar Products
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