Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters

8-1/2 x 10-1/2 in; 208 pp ; 200 b/w and color images
Hardcover
Published in October, 2007
ISBN 0811860787
ISBN13 9780811860789

$40.00  

Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters -- Behind-the-scenes hero to anyone who's thrilled by giant monsters duking it out over Tokyo, Eiji Tsuburaya was the visual effects mastermind behind Godzilla, Ultraman, and numerous Japanese science fiction movies and TV shows beloved around the world. The first book on this legendary film figure in English, this highly visual biography details his fascinating life and career, featuring hundreds of film stills, posters, concept art, and delightful on-set photos of Tsuburaya prompting monsters to crush landmark buildings. A must-have for fans, this towering tribute also features profiles of Tsuburaya's film collaborators, details on his key films and shows (most available on DVD), and features on the enduring popularity of the characters he helped create.

August Ragone has written and commented on Japanese film and pop culture for more than twenty years. He lives in San Francisco.

Quotes

"In Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, San Francisco based writer August Ragone has produced a fond, generously illustrated biography of the tokusatsu (special effects) genius…" —Time magazine, December 13, 2007

"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 and Dagger, October 2007

"Anyone with a taste for reading about frantic production schedules and creative jury-rigging solutions will find much to enjoy in Ragone's text." &mdashPowell's Books.com, November 2007

Average Rating:

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Editorial Fact

2009-06-02 | 5:49 PM | steve mockus

I'm the editor of this book and I can state without equivocation that August Ragone was the author of the book. Brad was helpful in editorial coordination, and in fact-checking, and in obtaining permissions, and a hundred other ways that improved the book, but August wrote the book, and that credit is not in any dispute by anyone in connection with producing the book, including Chronicle Books, Tsuburaya Productions, Ed, or Brad. It is not unusual for people to contribute to the creation of a book and not be listed as, or even ask for, author credit. (I was required to give the book a star rating in order to be able to comment. I wouldn't have done so otherwise, since I'm the editor.)

Good Picture Book. Who is the true Autor ?

2009-05-11 | 3:24 AM | Jason Lockwood

After buying this book i found the Photos amazing but the lay-out of the book was the real bummer for me. I find the confusion in the real Author of this book. Brad Warner of Tsubaraya Pro in LA had Co Author duties but was left out of the Book Credits as such so who is the true Author ? . I really wanted some meaty info on Mr. Tsubaraya but was left thinking I just purchased a nice picture Coffee Table book. Mr. Ragone's effort on this book seemed a bit rushed and minimal on any real insight. I say buy it if you want some new and much clearer photos of your fave Daikaiju.

1st american effort, but Author in Question!

2009-05-08 | 7:00 AM | John pacemaker

After reading the book and enjoying it I have come to a few conclusions. Yes Mr. Ragone has put out a fine effort on this large coffee style book on one of the true masters of Japanese cinema '' Eiji Tsuburaya.. I however learned that he is not the soul Aothor of this book, but is credited as so.'' I understand that Brad Warner who worked with Tsuburaya Productions in L.A. and Ed Godziszewski of Chicago contibuted to it but was never giving an Co Author's credit on it by Ragone. That aside, much of the material written in the book gives very limited info on the man himself, but is more like a picture book than a Authored book. Seeing many of the photo's clearly from Godziszewski collection is a wonder to see. If you know nothing of Eiji Tsuburaya work, then this will be your cup of tea and is well worth buying a copy.

Outstanding tribute to the Old Man

2008-05-20 | 7:22 PM | Gareth Walters

Eiji Tsuburaya may not quite attract the legion of fans that Ray Harryhausen commands, but while Harryhausen's work is undoubtedly uncanny in it's attention to detail, the characters created by Eiji in the kaigu eiga movies, such as Godzilla, Mothra and King Kong Escapes, as well as Ultraman, are somehow more loveable and equally memorable, despite their man-in-a-suit origins. August Ragone has created a masterful overview of the Old Man's life, a cracking read that manages to uncover new information and insights as well as a cornucopia of images and Chronicle's usual excellent design (vertical captions notwithstanding).

Great Information, poor layout

2008-03-16 | 11:54 AM | rick mikes

As far as content is concerned, this book is excellent. Unfortunately, the graphic design of the book is so poor that I can not recommend it completely. For some strange reason, the picture captions are printed perpendicular to the pictures they reference, making it very uncomfortable to read. That alone kept me form buting this book.