Johnny Depp

by Michael Blitz and Louise Krasniewicz

Published 1 January 2007

From the sweet but asocial adolescent in Edward Scissorhands to Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Johnny Depp has brought to life some of the most challenging, quirky and compelling characters in Hollywood history. Often considered the quintessential outsider, Depp has fascinated his fans for more than two decades. This biographical study invites fans and critics alike to take a close look at the person behind the movie star, his body of work as an actor, and the unique set of heroes and anti-heroes he has personified throughout his career.


Walt Disney

by Louise Krasniewicz and Michael Blitz

Published 1 July 2010

This insightful biography takes a balanced and thoughtful look at the creative and enigmatic man who has had a greater influence on American culture than almost any other individual: Walt Disney.

Walt Disney has been dissected, criticized, and lauded in numerous biographies, most of which try to penetrate the psychology of the man and his motives. Walt Disney: A Biography takes a cultural approach, looking at Disney as both a product of his culture and a cultural innovator who influenced entertainment, education, leisure, and even history.

Drawing on many original sources, Walt Disney provides an overview of this genius's remarkable life and family. At the same time, the book places Disney in the context of his times as a way of exploring the roots of and inspiration for his creativity. Because Walt Disney's creations and ideas still affect our movies, play activities, vacation choices, and even our dreams and imagination, his influence is as important today as it was when he was alive, and this thoroughly engaging book shows why.


Walt Disney's prolific life is summarized in a descriptive chronology that notes his most significant artistic, personal, and cultural milestones

An appendix explores the use of the name "Walt Disney" to denote excellence and innovation, but also mass culture and artificiality. Examples are documented with Internet addresses so readers can explore the phenomenon for themselves

Original-source research assures the accuracy of quotations and descriptions of Disney's productions


Jon Stewart: A Biography

by Michael Blitz

Published 1 January 2014

From his role in The Terminator to his more recent work as Governator of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger has played a major role in American popular culture. This accessible and entertaining biography traces the trajectory of Arnold's career-sports figure turned movie star turned entrepreneur turned politician. Elected as governor of California in 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger now dramatically and vividly represents the determination and, to a great extent, the relentlessness necessary for achieving great fame, political power, and iconic status. While many readers will have read about his benchmark achievements, this biography will reveal the surprising complexities behind the public scenes and put them into a larger cultural context. Photos and a timeline of significant events round out this insightful biography.

From his role in The Terminator to his more recent work as Governator of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger has played a major role in American popular culture. This biography traces the fascinating trajectory of Arnold's career-sports figure turned movie star turned entrepreneur turned politician. Elected as governor of California in 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger now dramatically and vividly represents the determination and, to a great extent, the relentlessness necessary for achieving great fame, political power, and iconic status.

Arnold's life has been characterized by public notoriety. While many readers will have heard or read about his benchmark achievements, this biography will reveal the surprising complexities behind the public scenes and put them into a larger cultural context. Photos and a timeline of significant events round out this entertaining and insightful biography.



Jon Stewart

by Michael Blitz

Published 15 July 2014
This biography profiles Jon Stewart, television's most incisive deliverer of the fake news. As the host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he has attracted a vast audience that sees him as one of the few credible sources of cultural critique TV.

As comfortable and adept at interviewing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, U.S. President Barack Obama, activist Al Sharpton, or political commentator Bill O'Reilly as he is chatting with Angelina Jolie, Bill Gates, or Denis Leary, Jon Stewart has emerged as one of the hottest television personalities and most powerful media icons of the 21st century. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, currently Comedy Central's longest running show, has launched the successful careers of Stephen Colbert (host of The Colbert Report) and Steve Carell (star of The 40 Year Old Virgin and the popular television series The Office), and an appearance on Stewart's half-hour segment is coveted by both political figures and Hollywood celebrities as one of the most important places to be seen.

Well-read, impossibly well-versed in current events, charismatic, and self-deprecating, Stewart has successfully garnered a broad-based following of viewers, from teens to senior citizens. Ideal for students and general readers alike, this biography profiles the always controversial, always prepared Stewart, including his early life, his first break in comedy, and his meteoric rise to joining an elite group of well-known and often-quoted media personalities.