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I have a mini review for you today! A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book. You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.
I have a mini review for you today! A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book. You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.
Publisher: Viking Adult
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Genre: Autobiography, Memoir
Review Date: December 2, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis:The Emmy Award-winning producer of PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! reveals the secrets to Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and its other hit programs
For more than twenty-five years and counting, Rebecca Eaton has presided over PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, the longest running weekly prime time drama series in American history. From the runaway hits
Upstairs, Downstairs and The Buccaneers, to the hugely popular Inspector Morse, Prime Suspect, and Poirot, Masterpiece Theatre and its sibling series Mystery! have been required viewing for fans of quality drama.
Eaton interviews many of the writers, directors, producers, and other contributors and shares personal anecdotes—including photos taken with her own camera—about her decades-spanning career. She reveals what went on behind the scenes during such triumphs as Cranford and the multiple, highly-rated programs made from Jane Austen’s novels, as well as her aggressive campaign to attract younger viewers via social media and online streaming. Along the way she shares stories about actors and other luminaries such as Alistair Cooke, Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Radcliffe, whose first TV role was as the title character in David Copperfield.
Readers will also get to know Eaton on a personal level. With a childhood steeped in theater, an affinity for nineteenth century novels and culture, and an "accidental apprenticeship” with the BBC, Eaton was practically born to lead the Masterpiece and Mystery! franchises. Making Masterpiece marks the first time the driving force behind the enduring flagship show reveals all.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Genre: Autobiography, Memoir
Review Date: December 2, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis:The Emmy Award-winning producer of PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! reveals the secrets to Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and its other hit programs
For more than twenty-five years and counting, Rebecca Eaton has presided over PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, the longest running weekly prime time drama series in American history. From the runaway hits
Upstairs, Downstairs and The Buccaneers, to the hugely popular Inspector Morse, Prime Suspect, and Poirot, Masterpiece Theatre and its sibling series Mystery! have been required viewing for fans of quality drama.
Eaton interviews many of the writers, directors, producers, and other contributors and shares personal anecdotes—including photos taken with her own camera—about her decades-spanning career. She reveals what went on behind the scenes during such triumphs as Cranford and the multiple, highly-rated programs made from Jane Austen’s novels, as well as her aggressive campaign to attract younger viewers via social media and online streaming. Along the way she shares stories about actors and other luminaries such as Alistair Cooke, Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Radcliffe, whose first TV role was as the title character in David Copperfield.
Readers will also get to know Eaton on a personal level. With a childhood steeped in theater, an affinity for nineteenth century novels and culture, and an "accidental apprenticeship” with the BBC, Eaton was practically born to lead the Masterpiece and Mystery! franchises. Making Masterpiece marks the first time the driving force behind the enduring flagship show reveals all.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As you all can tell (possibly from the content on my blog) that I rarely read nonfiction so this one is a tad bit out of my comfort zone, but I had to read it. I adore Masterpiece Theatre, especially Downton Abbey, Mr Selfridge, and The Paradise. Not mention, my husband LOVES to watch Sherlock. What can I say, I'm addicted to British TV....as are many of us PBS/BBC watchers. When I was asked if I'd like to review this, I jumped at it just to get a small peak behind the curtains.
|  Sherlock  Downton Abbey |  Mr. Selfridge  Upstairs, Downstairs |
Pros: This book was written by the current Executive Producer of the institution that is Masterpiece (now comprised by Masterpiece Contemporary, Masterpiece Mystery and Masterpiece Classic). The book is not only a memoir about her life, but it is a history of Masterpiece Theatre which first aired in 1971, focusing a large part on the last 25 years during which the author has been involved with its production. It was intriguing to read about the inception of several popular shows. I also enjoyed the photos enclosed in the center of the book. The "backstage" stories are all pretty entertaining as well. The authors style is very witty and blunt, which is refreshing. I can appreciate that she's able to take ownership of her valleys as well as her peaks. She readily admits "I've been very, very lucky in my career, in spite of myself." This rings true throughout the book. As far as the writing style goes, Ms.Eaton's writing style seems more laid back and conversational, which appealed to me.
Cons: Honestly I was expecting more of a coffee table style book about the Masterpiece programs with some history and blurbs from the Executive Producer. So I was slightly thrown when I received a novel. That was my fault for misunderstanding what type of book I was getting, but with that said, I moved forward and began reading. There is a lot of history, names, places, situations, so much that you'll find that you pick up some fun trivia like facts here and there, but overall most of the details seem to get a bit lost in translation as the amount of information seems to be excessive at times. On the up side, we got a peak behind the scenes, but I wanted more of that and less interview excerpts.
Final Thoughts: Overall this memoir was an enjoyable read and a nice change of pace. I recommend this books if you also love British TV and want a closer look into the history of Masterpiece and the Executive Producer of many memorable shows.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara
Cons: Honestly I was expecting more of a coffee table style book about the Masterpiece programs with some history and blurbs from the Executive Producer. So I was slightly thrown when I received a novel. That was my fault for misunderstanding what type of book I was getting, but with that said, I moved forward and began reading. There is a lot of history, names, places, situations, so much that you'll find that you pick up some fun trivia like facts here and there, but overall most of the details seem to get a bit lost in translation as the amount of information seems to be excessive at times. On the up side, we got a peak behind the scenes, but I wanted more of that and less interview excerpts.
Final Thoughts: Overall this memoir was an enjoyable read and a nice change of pace. I recommend this books if you also love British TV and want a closer look into the history of Masterpiece and the Executive Producer of many memorable shows.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara
