Amazon.com has already started shipping, and as of 4:50 pm PST, they only have ONE copy left! Further orders will be filled on November 24th!

:blink:

Here's Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

#3 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Cinematography (moving from #6 two days ago)

#6 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Movie Directors

#30 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Biographies

Meanwhile, I went to Japantown here in San Francisco yesterday (10/30), and I was surprised that Kinokuniya Books had six copies out on the shelf in the Film/Arts section! Here's the address for those that don't know already:

1581 Webster St # 165
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 567-7625

BEST... HALLOWEEN... EVER! B)

This coming Sunday, November 4th, author August Ragone will be appearing at an in-store signing for the release of his first book, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTER, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Border's Books in the Stonestown Galleria (233 Winston Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132). Former "Creature Features" host, author John Stanley, will be joining him to sign copies of his latest book, "I Was a TV Horror Host."

EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTER is marching into better retailers near you as you read this from the world-renown Chronicle Books. "Who is Eiji Tsuburaya," you might ask? Tsuburaya (1901-1970) was one of the technical pioneers of Japanese Cinema in the Silent Era, who went on to create the visual effects for GODZILLA and ULTRAMAN. This official 208-page, heavily-illustrated (200 images), coffeetable hardcover, is the first fully-authorized book of its kind published outside of Japan, and is the first biography of this important figure of Japanese Cinema ever written in any language other than Japanese!

Already available in Canada, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS, is receiving positive reviews: "The difference between this book and other coffee table volumes that have covered daikaiju before, though, is the staggeringly researched detail that Ragone has put into the text itself. This is not just a picture book to flip through, nod approvingly at and stick on the shelf; this is a record easily in scale with the monsters Tsuburaya created—a critical and historical look at the creation and output of an industry that spanned (and has continued to span) the decades." - Tooth & Dagger.com

Tim Lucas, publisher and editor of the award-winning Video Watchdog magazine had this to say about the author, "There is so much writing in English on Japanese cinema that can't be accepted at face value--not because the writers are careless, but because the differences in culture and language are just too intricate. When I see August Ragone's name on a piece of writing, it gives me permission to place my faith in it completely. Among Japanese fantasy film historians, he's the best working in English."

More signings to be announced in the near future -- stay tuned! If you live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area and can't make it, you can also pre-order your own copy today from Amazon.com!

Amazon.com Sales Rank (11/02): #3,986 in Books (up from #12,671 on 10/31)

#1 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Cinematography (up from #3 on 10/31)

#3 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Movie Directors (up from #6 on 10/31)

#13 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Biographies (up from #30 on 10/31)

Just got back from Border's Books; the signing went great and we sold out of the stock they ordered for the signing -- and we had to turn several people away without their own copies, so Border's has asked me to come back and do another signing when they restock the book. Next tentative signing will be at the Super 7 store in San Francisco's Japantown after Thanksgiving. http://www.super7store.com

My publicist just forwarded this to from me. From The Library Journal:

While the cinematic smack down of Freddy vs. Jason owes a huge debt to the interfilm monster battles of Japanese sci-fi movies, it can't hold a flaming skyscraper to the clash between Godzilla and King Ghidorah or any of the other beastly brawls orchestrated by visual-effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya during the 1950s and 1960s.

In this first English-language book about the creator of Mothra and Ultraman characters, Japanese film and culture commentator Ragone highlights Tsuburaya's inspirations, technological advances, and lasting impact on popular culture and the Japanese film industry. Ragone expertly weaves biographical anecdotes into his exhaustive accounts of film productions, showing readers how a young aviator and toy designer fascinated by King Kong would, with his singular vision, exorcise the demons of postwar Japan, push the boundaries of television, and launch the careers of many talented writers and designers.

A selected filmography and plethora of beautiful photographs of film sets, promotional materials, and figurines based on Tsuburaya's creatures will satisfy hard-core fans and novices alike. Recommended for all academic and large public library film and Asian studies collections.

- Blanche Angelo, Livermore P.L., CA

Amazon.com Sales Rank (11/12/07): #3,752 in Books

#1 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Cinematography

#1 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Movie Directors

#8 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Biographies

The book gets an enthusiastic review on p. 79 of the Nov/Dec Film Comment.

"While the cinematic smack down of Freddy vs. Jason owes a huge debt to the interfilm monster battles of Japanese sci-fi movies..."

FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN was first.

Bob,
Thanks for the heads up -- I'll grab a copy ASAP!

Cheers! :)

Here's a very enthusiastic review for the book at Powells.com
http://www.powells.com/review/2007_11_17.html