It recounts the investigation of Marcus Goldman, a successful novelist, who attempts to clear the name of his former professor, accused of having murdered a young girl. This practical and insightful reading guide includes:    • A complete plot summary   • Character studies   • Key themes and symbols   • Questions for further reflectionWhy choose BrightSummaries.com?Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you in your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.Shed new light on your favorite books with BrightSummaries.com!

    I basically used to check spelling and think of stupid gags about The Stig. I also got to hang around with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. It didn't feel like something you should get paid for. From the disastrous pilot show of 2002 to the sudden and unexpected ending in 2015, working on Top Gear was quite a rollercoaster ride. We crossed continents, we made space ships, we bobbed across the world's busiest shipping lane in a pick-up truck. We also got chased by an angry mob, repeatedly sparked fury in newspapers, and almost killed one of our presenters. I realised that I had quite a few stories to tell from behind the scenes on the show. I remembered whose daft idea it was to get a dog. I recalled the willfully stupid way in which we decorated our horrible office. I had a sudden flashback to the time a Bolivian drug lord threatened to kill us. I decided I should write down some of these stories. So I have. I hope you like them. And now, a quote from James May: 'Richard Porter has asked me to "write a quote" for his new book about the ancient history of Top Gear. But this is a ridiculous request. How can one "write a quote"? Surely, by definition, a quote must be extracted from a greater body of writing, for the purpose of illustrating or supporting a point in an unrelated work. I cannot "write a quote" any more than I could "film an out-take". 'Porter, like Athens, has lost his marbles.'

    This book collects TV and movie critic Matt Zoller Seitz’s celebrated Mad Men recaps—as featured on New York magazine's Vulture blog—for the first time, including never-before-published essays on the show’s first three seasons. Seitz’s writing digs deep into the show’s themes, performances, and filmmaking, examining complex and sometimes confounding aspects of the series. The complete series—all seven seasons and ninety-two episodes—is covered.   Each episode review also includes brief explanations of locations, events, consumer products, and scientific advancements that are important to the characters, such as P.J. Clarke’s restaurant and the old Penn Station; the inventions of the birth control pill, the Xerox machine, and the Apollo Lunar Module; the release of the Beatles’ Revolver and the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds; and all the wars, protests, assassinations, and murders that cast a bloody pall over a chaotic decade.  Mad Men Carousel is named after an iconic moment from the show’s first-season finale, “The Wheel,” wherein Don delivers an unforgettable pitch for a new slide projector that’s centered on the idea of nostalgia: “the pain from an old wound.” This book will soothe the most ardent Mad Men fan’s nostalgia for the show. New viewers, who will want to binge-watch their way through one of the most popular TV shows in recent memory, will discover a spoiler-friendly companion to one of the most multilayered and mercurial TV shows of all time. It's the perfect gift for Mad Men fans and obsessives. Also available from Matt Zoller Seitz: The Oliver Stone Experience, The Wes Anderson Collection: Bad Dads, The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The Wes Anderson Collection.

    England, and especially Cornwall, was then marked by social unrest and a deep division between rich and poor. It was a place of tin mines and shipwrecks, of new money versus old, of harsh justice and great kindness. And, above all, it was a place that inspired Winston Graham's beloved novels. Amid the turmoil of eighteenth-century Cornwall, Ross comes back to a home in ruins, his father dead and his childhood sweetheart engaged to another - his own heart as battered as the country around him. Experience the great houses and the glorious landscapes and follow the cast of characters as their stories play out against the backdrop of Cornwall's wild beauty, through interviews with the actors, behind the scenes insights and in-depth information on costumes, props and locations. Packed full of behind the scenes photographs, The World of Poldark is the ultimate guide to the popular series.

    Have a read.

    He weighed nearly three-hundred pounds, he couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath, and worst of all, he had given up hope of ever getting fit. Today, he's a hundred pounds lighter, with a growing fitness empire and a killer bod. The secret of his success? The Movement, a workout that consists entirely of moving boxes and furniture. Now that The Movement is taking America by storm, Jack is finally ready to tell his story. From the childhood friendship with Steve Jobs that inspired him, to his touching mentorship of a jungle child named Dende, this self-help novel will make you laugh, cry, and think. And it might even help you lose a few pounds, too.

    Abruptly, O'Donohue clutched his heart and collapsed onto the floor. Belushi paused, raised his eyebrow, and then did the same. Posing as the stage manager, Chevy Chase entered the set and feigned confusion before breaking character and announcing to the camera: "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"In that instant, television, which had long been out of touch with the young and hip, experienced the first seismic tremors of a major paradigm shift. TV comedy as we know it today owes it all to Saturday Night Live, the show that dared to take risks (not least the fact that it's broadcast live), challenge the censors, and celebrate the work of offbeat writer-performers. Hundreds of gifted and dedicated people have contributed to Saturday Night Live over the years, and this book pays homage to their groundbreaking work. The list of esteemed alumni, most of whom were complete unknowns when they debuted on SNL, reads like a Who's Who of the past 4 decades in comedy: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Al Franken, Eddie Murphy, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristin Wiig, Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, and Bill Hader—to name just a few.Now, as SNL celebrates its 40th anniversary, TASCHEN brings you the ultimate tribute to the show. To research this book, editor and author Alison Castle was given not only full access to SNL's archives, but also the rare opportunity to watch the cast and crew at work. She spent the better part of season 39 in the trenches, learning how everything comes together in just six days for the live performance. Part encyclopedia and part behind-the-scenes tour, Saturday Night Live: The Book covers both the making of the show and its remarkable history.

    This one-of-a-kind book—the ultimate official guide to the show—covers the evolution of Breaking Bad from the pilot to the final episode and beyond. Adapted and expanded from Breaking Bad Alchemy, the interactive e-book for the iPad, it highlights the unique elements that made the series so magnetic. The book is filled with insider secrets about the making of the show and the meanings behind its iconography, as well a complete Breaking Bad timeline; in-depth looks at the series’ groundbreaking cinematography, music, and special effects; exclusive interviews with creator Vince Gilligan; and new text from noted film critic David Thomson. Bad fans will enjoy the book's updated design, more than 100 new images, and perceptive captions. Renowned critic David Thomson reveals an extensive interview with Vince Gilligan just for this edition, and provides an insightful introduction—arguing that Breaking Bad is not only a great show, but one of the most significant works of fiction in the new century. In addition to exploring how this epic series came to be, Thomson sets Breaking Bad in the context of both crime literature and long-form television.

    This oversized hardcover collection features sixty-eight U.S. releases, including all minicomics from the '80s Masters of the Universe line, the '80s Princess of Power line, and the '80s and '90s He-Man line, plus an introduction to the minicomics in the current Masters of the Universe Classics toy line. Relive the illustrated adventures that fueled your imagination! Over 1000 pages of minicomics collected for the first time featuring interviews with the original comics creators!

    Lurking within its pages are more than twenty ingeniously crafted pop-ups that add a horrifying new dimension to the series. Experience the terror of “Bicycle Girl” reaching out with her decaying arms; the ravenous walker hordes crowding the streets of Atlanta; Michonne’s deadly katana skills; and the horror of a walker feeding frenzy. Plus, go inside some of the most memorable locations from the television series and discover the battle-torn West Georgia Correctional Facility, Hershel Greene’s doomed farm, and the gut-wrenching secrets of Terminus. Featuring ten pages packed with exclusive pop-up illustrations and blood-drenched action, AMC’s The Walking Dead: The Pop-Up Book is a uniquely terrifying way to experience the walker apocalypse. The Walking Dead © 2015 AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    We make it fast and loud . . ."Richard Rawlings' road to the top has been full of dangerous twists and hilarious turns, with a few precipitous cliffs in between. From getting shot defending his beloved 1965 Mustang fastback from carjackers, to blowing out of town Fear and Loathing style in his youth, to eventually founding Gas Monkey Garage and starring in Discovery's hit automotive-restoration series Fast N' Loud, Rawlings has got some stories to tell.With never-before-seen photos of his childhood and shots from fan-favorite episodes, Rawlings pushes into high gear, sharing the story of his rise to success, his show, and the automotive know-how that has made him famous.He begins with his own story—including how he went from being flat broke to having a seat at the table with some of history's most iconic car guys. Rawlings then heads into Fast N' Loud, the series, sharing new details on everything from the toughest builds to run-ins with his most die-hard fans, along with travel and auto shop anecdotes featuring Aaron Kaufman and the rest of the Gas Monkey gang. He finishes with a handy guide for classic and antique car enthusiasts that includes insider tricks of the trade. Want to start flipping cars for profit yourself? The secrets of Rawlings' success are all here.So get ready to rev up with Rawlings and the crew of Gas Monkey Garage. Because, as Rawlings says, "If we're gonna have fun, it better have a motor!"

    This beautiful keepsake showcases new and exciting views of a television icon that continues to bring the beloved world of Salem to its loyal viewers.Beginning with rare black-and-white historical photos and including a wealth of rare full-color photos, this is a spectacular journey highlighting iconic characters and beloved stories over 50 years.Welcome to an unparalleled peek into Days of Our Lives-a favorite daytime drama that has not only become an important part of American Pop Culture, but is also loved by millions of fans around the world!"Days of our Lives hasn�t just been in our homes for 50 years. It�s also in our DNA, packing a power and punch that is incomparable in the daytime drama landscape. This beloved show is famous for its epic twists and crazy turns: Premature burial! Biblical plagues! Demonic possession! But this is not what keeps us loyally devoted and coming back, year in, year out. We return for the love - love of romance, love of friendship, love of family. When we make our daily trip to sleepy little Salem to visit with the Brady and Horton and Kiriakis clans, and even those impossible, badass DiMeras, we feel a marvelous sense of bliss and comfort and connection. This show is so much more than entertainment. It makes us feel like we�ve come home." Michael Logan, TV Guide Magazine"Playing the beloved character Marlena Evans on Days of our Lives has been the highlight of my career. She is a revolutionary character... a strong, independent, successful career woman who believes her role as both a wife and a mother come first. Over the years she has become the ultimate heroine and continues to be an inspiration to women of all ages around the world." Deidre Hall, MARLENA EVANS, Days of our Lives

    Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

    Admire her eye for bespoke carpentry, laugh at her inability to grasp how the Time War works, and marvel at her talent for spotting actors who have appeared in EastEnders, as she offers a fresh – and occasionally bizarre – perspective on the greatest television show ever made.This volume collects Sue's blog commentary to the William Hartnell era (100,000 BC to The Tenth Planet plus two very silly movies) and includes four blogs exclusive to this book ('Marco Polo', 'An Adventure in Space and Time', 'An Unearthly Child' Redux and 'Galaxy 4' Redux), exclusive episode annotations, a new interview with Sue, a video transcript and a foreword by Robert Shearman.

    His unconventional approach often elicits skepticism from his colleagues, though he is usually supported by his boss Inspector Brackenreid, young Constable George Crabtree, and doctors/pathologists Emily Grace and Julia Ogden.  This companion looks at every aspect of all 8 seasons of the show, from the regular characters and their relationships, to the history of the period, including figures Murdoch encounters, the forensic and scientific advances he utilises, and Murdoch’s most notable cases. The companion also goes behind the scenes on the show to examine every aspect of the production, including sets, costumes, music and writing.

    And there are really only three things that Blue Bloods-and everyone else-need to make a successful family dinner: family, love and food. Bring the first two to the table and The Blue Bloods Cookbook will provide the third!Bridget Moynahan, the show's star, invites you to partake in that sacred family ritual, offering food lovers more than 100 delectable recipes and bringing you Irish/Italian comfort food that will make you feel right at home, including:-Clam Chowder (Manhattan, of course!)-Arthur Avenue Spaghetti and Meatballs-Chicken Francese-Pizza, Reagan Style-Standing Rib Roast with Cippolini Onion Sauce-Cheesecake with NYPD Blue ToppingJust as there is a chair around the table for every family member, there is a recipe in this cookbook sure to make any eater happy to be home again. Hearty and soulful, The Blue Bloods Cookbook will make you say, "Amen, now pass the potatoes!"

    One day he would mature into an award-winning man of business*, thriving entrepreneur and glittering member of the jet-set. A force of nature, a man who beat the odds, if only for a bit. This is his story. The story of Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter. Who else could tell the glorious tale of rags to riches to rags to rich(ish) but the man himself? You've heard of The Wolf of Wall Street, now meet the Pug of Peckham.*Trotter's Independent Traders, employee of the year 1982 - 2003

    His companion is a bumbler, a sympathetic equal, someone helpless in the face of his friend’s social inadequacies. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson remain the most-adapted fictional characters of all time. In 2010, when Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman stepped into the roles, they managed to meld many previous incarnations into two glorious performances. Over Sherlock’s first three seasons, the Emmy-winning series has brought new life to stories almost 130 years old and, with its Holmes and Watson for the 21st century, created a worldwide fandom unlike any other.Investigating Sherlock, written by bestselling author Nikki Stafford, examines each episode through in-depth and fun analysis, exploring the character development and cataloguing every subtle reference to the original stories. With biographies of Cumberbatch and Freeman, as well as Arthur Conan Doyle, Investigating Sherlock is the ultimate guide to the great detective.

    It was alleged that a fellow contestant had helped him with the questions by coughing to indicate the correct answers. Ingram was stripped of his prize and charged with fraud offences. He and his wife Diana were both convicted. Ingram’s life was in ruins. He had to resign his army commission and lost his reputation, his home and any prospects of future employment. He had been a well-respected army officer, but now he was described in the British press as a man who was as publicly reviled as a mass murderer. He has always asserted that he won the prize fairly. Now, for the first time, Bad Show tells the complete story and examines all the evidence in order to explain exactly what happened on that fateful night.

    Thirty-two episodes, many repeats, sixty territories, two feature films, three albums, numerous comics, books, toys, videos and DVDs and five decades later, Thunderbirds are still saving the world from the brink of peril.Thunderbirds: The Vault will be the first ever lavishly illustrated, definitive, beautifully packaged, presentation hardback telling the story of this enduring cult phenomenon. Packed with previously unpublished material, including prop photos, design sketches, production memos and other collectible memorabilia, plus specially commissioned photography of original 60s merchandise, and new interviews with cast and crew, it’s going to be a collectors’ dream and a fantastic piece of British TV history.

    Nonviolent protesters defied the Soviet Empire's communist rulers, Gandhi's nonviolent revolution defeated the British Empire, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s peaceful civil-rights crusade changed American history. Recent scholarship shows that nonviolent revolutions against injustice and dictatorship are actually more successful than violent campaigns. In this book, noted theologian and bestselling author Ron Sider argues that the search for peaceful alternatives to violence is not only a practical necessity in the wake of the twentieth century--the most bloody in human history--but also a moral demand of the Christian faith. He presents compelling examples of how nonviolent action has been practiced in history and in current social-political situations to promote peace and oppose injustice, showing that this path is a successful and viable alternative to violence.

    I HATE YOU & YOU MUST SAVE ME is the first of seven volumes, collecting Jacob’s popular columns throughout the show’s Winter 2011 season, in which: HANNA’s recovery from getting run over by a car is hindered by: a lasagna box, mean cupcakes, a nasty danceathon, and a sweet werewolf that betrays her before leaving town, thanks to Mona’s manipulations. EMILY comes out to her parents, meets the very insane Paige and falls in love with her, and we deal with Paige’s horrible father. ARIA has Ezra-type problems. ALISON flashbacks include: Getting choked in the dirt and killing a chick at a frat party, while we learn about the Bad Seed, rat blood, and the peeping-tom collective the NAT Club. SPENCER wrestles with her brother-in-law and past fling Ian, eventually kisses Toby for some reason, and finally, gets chased all around a very scary church at night. Over fifteen years writing and creating communities at Television Without Pity, Jacob Clifton was noted by industry and fans alike for his positive analytical approach and ebullient humor. His weekly columns—on shows ranging from American Idol to The Apprentice, Battlestar Galactica to Gossip Girl, Homeland to Pretty Little Liars and more—set off a decade of conversations across the internet. Now, with the former site defunct and a Gawker editorship in the rearview, Jacob is excited to release these definitive, heavily revised editions of those classic recaps at jacobclifton.com. Please visit for more info and join the mailing list!

    Not only has he been on expeditions to unlock the mysteries of the past in the Caribbean, British Isles, Jordan, Syria, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Australia, he's also had heat stroke, hypothermia, and dysentery; been chased by camel spiders; walked on by scorpions and pestered by bugs big enough to ride. In more than 20 years roaming the globe, he's lived in some of the most remote locations in the world and suffered the back-breaking and soul-destroying monotony of shifting tonnes of dirt with a shovel. From Cold War bunkers in England to Bronze Age cities on the Euphrates, remotes caves in the Jordan Valley, shipwrecks in Western Australia and burials in Barbados, Adam has dug, dived, abseiled and trekked his way into history. Part memoir, part potted history of civilisation, MY LIFE IN RUINS is the story of a life lived in uncovering the past.

    One of the most notable impacts of these shifts is the emergence of highly complex and elaborate forms of serial narrative, resulting in a robust period of formal experimentation and risky programming rarely seen in a medium that is typically viewed as formulaic and convention bound.Complex TV offers a sustained analysis of the poetics of television narrative, focusing on how storytelling has changed in recent years and how viewers make sense of these innovations. Through close analyses of key programs, including The Wire, Lost, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Veronica Mars, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Mad Men the book traces the emergence of this narrative mode, focusing on issues such as viewer comprehension, transmedia storytelling, serial authorship, character change, and cultural evaluation. Developing a television-specific set of narrative theories, Complex TV argues that television is the most vital and important storytelling medium of our time.

    When tattooed singer Jared Cross invites her to join his band on a reality TV show competition, their forbidden attraction becomes impossible to resist—but their secret romance might tear their band apart and cost them everything. MORE THAN COMICS (Book 2 – Hector & Tara) Writer Tara McFadden has been best friends online with drummer Hector Fernandez for years. When they finally meet in person at a comic book convention all the years of longing lead to an incredible night of passion. But neither is sure if their online relationship can translate into a real life romance—or if this will ruin their friendship forever. MORE THAN FASHION (Book 3 – Julie & Gavin) When Julie Hong wins a spot on a fashion design reality TV show, she quickly realizes she’s out of her league among the other designers, and Gavin Bennett, with his cocky grin and sexy accent, is her biggest competition. Julie can't decide if she wants to kiss him or kill him. Or both. But only one of them can win the show—and they might both end up heartbroken. Keep reading! More books available in the Chasing The Dream series: More Than Exes #0.5 (Kyle & Alexis) – get it free at www.elizabethbriggsbooks.com! More Than Once #4 (Becca & Andy) – December 1, 2015 More Than Distance #5 (Carla & ???) – Coming in 2016

    DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH TODAY is the second of seven volumes, collecting Jacob’s popular columns throughout the show’s Summer 2011 season (and the creepy inaugural holiday special, "The First Secret.") A doctor-ordered cooling period between the girls is completely ignored, as Aria’s mom closes in on the wrong suspect for Ezra’s jailbait girlfriend and Hanna’s stepsister life goes from bad to worse. Caleb bounces out of town again after a horrific double-date with Lucas. Toby becomes a Teen Contractor and Spencer hocks her sister’s wedding ring to buy him a truck. Something goes on with a hockey stick that is very intense. Emily is subjected to: Fake college acceptances, pain cream out the wazoo, a terrifying massage and an attack in a greenhouse. She also throws a big lesbian party and acts like a creeper. Jason kisses Aria, is related to Spencer, could be a stalker, but most definitely is a weirdo with a love for the wacky weed. Ian is not faking being dead. The girls are steered around by talking dolls screwing up lives all over town, and Dr. Sullivan has vanished after fixing Hanna’s brain. Over fifteen years writing and creating communities at Television Without Pity, Jacob Clifton was noted by industry and fans alike for his positive analytical approach and ebullient humor. His weekly columns—on shows ranging from American Idol to The Apprentice, Battlestar Galactica to Gossip Girl, Homeland to Pretty Little Liars and more—set off a decade of conversations across the internet. Now, with the former site defunct and a Gawker editorship in the rearview, Jacob is excited to release these definitive, heavily revised editions of those classic recaps at jacobclifton.com. Please visit for more info and join the mailing list!

    Adventure Time’s adorably weird and wonderful post-apocalyptic world has captured the hearts of fans worldwide.Featuring all the title cards from seasons 3 and 4 of the show, plus early sketches, creator commentary, and exclusive insights into the vast and varied inspirations behind the art, the second volume of Adventure Time: The Original Cartoon Title Cards is an absolute must-have for every fan.

    

    D. Guttenplan calls him “probably the most astute critic of American popular culture since Edmund Wilson.” For nearly thirty years, he has written a remarkable column that has migrated from the Village Voice to Artforum, Salon, City Pages, Interview, and The Believer and currently appears in the Barnes & Noble Review. It has been a laboratory where Marcus has fearlessly explored and wittily dissected an enormous variety of cultural artifacts, from songs to books to movies to advertisements, teasing out from the welter of everyday objects what amounts to a de facto theory of cultural transmission. Published to complement the paperback edition of The History of Rock & Roll in Ten Songs, Real Life Rock reveals the critic in full: direct, erudite, funny, fierce, vivid, astute, uninhibited, and possessing an unerring instinct for art and fraud. The result is an indispensable volume packed with startling arguments and casual brilliance.

    One day he would mature into an award-winning man of business*, thriving entrepreneur and glittering member of the jet-set. A force of nature, a man who beat the odds, if only for a bit. This is his story. The story of Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter.Who else could tell the glorious tale of rags to riches to rags to rich(ish) but the man himself? You've heard of The Wolf of Wall Street, now meet the Pug of Peckham.*Trotter's Independent Traders, employee of the year 1982 - 2003[He Who Dares has been written by the family of John Sullivan, creator and writer of Only Fools and Horses, who sadly died in 2011. Ebury Press have produced and published the book with full support and involvement of the family.]

    It is beloved by critics and audiences alike for its quick wit, incredibly geeky but relatable characters, and its science and science fiction storylines. But up until now, there has never been an official Big Bang Theory book. The Big Bang Theory: The Official Trivia Guide is the book fans have been waiting for. Featuring 1,600 questions, photos, and many of the best quotes from Sheldon, Raj, Penny, Howard, Leonard, Amy, and Bernadette, as well as a complete episode guide, this official book will entertain all Big Bang fans, old and new alike. Do you know what instrument Leonard plays in the Physics Department String Quartet? Or which award Sheldon is the youngest person to have ever received? Or how about the name of Penny’s avatar in the Age of Conan game? Or who Howard went to couples therapy with? Or the name of Raj’s school? Or when Sheldon does his laundry? Or what Leonard brought Penny back from the North Pole? You don’t need Sheldon’s eidetic memory to enjoy this book, but it might help! Get ready to use your knowledge of The Big Bang Theory and challenge your friends and family with trivia and questions about your favorite scientists.

    With its strong, capable heroine, witty dialogue, and a creator (Joss Whedon) who identifies himself as a feminist, the cult show became one of the most widely analysed texts in contemporary popular culture. The last episode, broadcast in 2002, did not herald the passing of a fleeting phenomenon: Buffy is a media presence still, active on DVD and the internet, alive in the career of Joss Whedon and studied internationally. I'm Buffy and You're History puts the entire series under the microscope, investigating its gender and feminist politics.In this book, Patricia Pender argues that Buffy includes diverse elements of feminism and reconfigures - and sometimes revises - the ideals of American second wave feminism for a wide third wave audience. She also explores the ways in which the final season's vision of collective feminist activism negotiates racial and class boundaries.Exploring the Slayer's postmodern politics, her position as a third wave feminist icon, her placing of masculinity in extremis, and her fandom and legacy in popular culture, this is a fresh and challenging contribution to the growing literature on the pitfalls and pleasures of a great cult TV show.

    Broadcast on public television between 1968 and 1973, Soul!, helmed by pioneering producer and frequent host Ellis Haizlip, connected an array of black performers and public figures with a black viewing audience. In It's Been Beautiful, Gayle Wald tells the story of Soul!, casting this influential but overlooked program as a bold and innovative use of television to represent and critically explore black identity, culture, and feeling during a transitional period in the black freedom struggle.

    Despite an ambitious and unusual storyline, remarkable production design and stellar cast, the show was cancelled after only two seasons. No other television series has been so steeped in history, spirituality and occultism, and years later it retains a cult-like following. This collection of fresh essays explores the series through a diverse array of topics, from visual aesthetics to tarot symbolism to sexuality to the portrayal of deformity.