Dharavi has achieved mythical status. Commonly; and mistakenly; cited as Asias largest slum; it is a symbol of Mumbais inability to meet the needs of its population; and the ability of Mumbaikars to meet those needs on their own. Commentaries usually fall back on the slum narrative; which sees Dharavi as resilient but backward; and in need of radical intervention. Matias Echanove and Rahul Srivastava of Urbz argue that it is time for this narrative to be rewritten. Dharavi residents do not recognise their home as a slum - the slum is always somewhere else; a few blocks away perhaps. Echanove and Srivastava challenge the bipolar way in which Mumbai sees itself; divided between "backwardrdquo; slums and "modernrdquo; high-rises. What they call the "user-generated neighbourhoodrdquo; is far more sophisticated and productive than any developers masterplan.
2013-12-01 2014-07-01File Name: B00LH1Z2TU
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great companion piece to Cormans autobiographyBy James C GirasaThis book is an enjoyable read with lots of terrific pictures; movie posters and screen shots from Roger Cormans long and still going career (as of April; 2016). It is also a great companion piece to Roger Cormans autobiography; How I Made One Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime.This book starts at the beginning of Cormans career and continues all the way up to his academy award for lifetime achievement. It progresses through commentary by Corman himself but mostly by graduates of the Corman school. (People that got their start in movies by working for Roger).There are plenty of entertaining stories on the way Roger went about business. It seems like anybody who ever spent time with him has a hundred stories to tell about him; especially about his legendary thriftiness. There are stories from many legendary people in holllywood such as Jack Nicholson; Martin Scorcese; Francis Ford Coppola; James Cameron; Peter Fonda; etc. along with his wife; brother and the people that worked as his assistants form many years.There are lots of great full color pictures from Cormans career. Just about every page has some sort of movie still; poster; etc.Highly Recommended for all Roger Corman fans and independent filmmakers and students of film.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Retrospective On the Uncrowned King of HollywoodBy bareshark1975There are only a few books that I will read over and over and over again like this one. In recent years; Ive become a great admirer of Roger Corman in his capacities as director; producer and tireless workhorse. But it wasnt until I read "Crab Monsters; Teenage Cavemen; and Candy Stripe Nurses" that I realized how big an impact this man has had. Now Ive come to the conclusion that all you have to do is pull a thread on the movie industry and its eventually going to lead back to Roger Corman.The dry facts of the mans life are extraordinary enough. Having it told by the people who were actually there (folks you might have heard of like Jack Nicholson; Peter Fonda; Francis Ford Coppola; Jonathon Kaplan; John Sayles; James Cameron...I could keep going but...) takes it to a whole new level; though. In addition to the behind the scenes stuff I only knew partially; there was plenty of other tidbits that caught me off-guard like Curtis Hanson beginning his career writing "The Dunwich Horror" two decades before "L.A. Confidential"; New World being behind the distribution of one of my childhood favorites "The Private Eyes" and Corman being the maestro who gave the directors of photography Januz Kasminski and Wally Pfister (who went on to work for Steven Spielburg and Christopher Nolan respectively) their first shots. Add a few spotlights on certain films out of the 500+ that Corman made and you owe it to yourself to AT LEAST give this book a peak.10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. An "A" Book about a "B" GeniusBy Linda DaltonEye-rolling title - but nothing eye-rolling about this book. Just about everybody who is anybody of value in the film industry over the past gazillion years has either worked for; with; or in the general direction of this amazing man. And they all have stories to tell. But Im not gonna bother with excerpts or examples; cause you really need to buy and read this for yourself; if you are a true fan of the movies.What I will say is that this book is visually stunning. I guess it qualifies as a "coffee table book" because of its size. However; those books are mostly just photos and nothing more. This presentation is the absolute exception. The stories are wonderful; entertaining; insightful; and often hilarious. But its the ton of photos; posters; movie stills and recreations that are the gifts onto themselves. It is a joy to relish the shock of colors and graphics that simply jump off of the pages wherever you turn. The dust-jacket is fabulous; but even the book-cover underneath pays a colorful homage to its subject. It is obvious that the folks who put this book together really loved their job and the man who inspired it.Obviously I have been; and continue to be; a fan whos enjoyed Mr. Cormans work for many years. That being said; it is a testament to his contributions to the industry that the professionals who have admired; admonished and accompanied him through his journey; honor him in such a cool and entertaining way. Well done!P.S. Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for their heads-up about this publication cause otherwise I mightve never known it existed.
