Inspiring, helpful, and to the point

This book more than met my expectations.

First of all, it had me at "Jim Henson", as I have been a fan since I've been a small kid, back in the early 1960s.

Well before Sesame Street, I saw him and his Muppets on television, and I think I even saw a live performance once, at my older sister's school, in Westbury, NY.

In this book, the author uses Jim Henson, his life, his work, and his philosophy, as a model for how to be successful as an artist, both in terms of creative satisfaction, as well as making a satisfactory living.

By using Jim Henson as her parable, he truly builds a great argument for seeing art and business as not being mutually exclusive but I'd rather being complementary opposites, as long as it is done in a way similar to what Jim Henson did.

The performance of this book is outstanding: warm, engaging, personal, and helps teach and sell the material even more. The reader is so good, at sounding like she is talking straight to the listener, that I forgot she wasn't the author!

7 people found this helpful

Not Really a Book

This would more accurately described as a series of articles, each discussing an aspect of a single theme or subject. Often re-treading the same ground, content, and quotes over and over, you'll fail to believe that the publisher hires editors.

Other Points

• The research for the book appears to be based largely on Hensen's work and quotes from the internet, rather than interviewing those involved.

• There is a solid misunderstanding of how most business, and especially marketing, works.

• There is very little contrast with other creative business people, except Walt Disney and later Pixar.

• Expect to be expected remember the most obscure Hensen work.

• The author unmistakably considers "Artists" to be a higher quality of person.

11 people found this helpful

This is an incredible book!

Any additional comments?

Out of 82 audible books I have listen to, this is the only one I have felt compelled to review and score.
I listened to this book because I am a sculptor (and the title is inexplicably less than $5), not because I was interested in Jim Henson. The author's clear passion, however, is palpable and persuasive about the monumental genius of Henson. I think over the coming weeks I will have to re-look at his work, which I only have fuzzy memories of and was previously somewhat indifferent to, mainly because I was so young in his heyday.
The author also does a convincing job of laying out Henson as a model for small-time artists to emulate while trying to genuinely grow in their work and live on the proceeds.
In my mind she has laid to rest the conflict of "Selling-out VS Artistic Integrity"; again using Henson and how he navigated this perilous area as a model. This is all somewhat philosophical as this is not a "how-to" book per se.
I found myself exclaiming out-loud in my studio "oh, wow" several times and was compelled enough to finish this rather long book (by my standards) in two days.
If I am required to offer a critique it would be that I found it odd that the author used the same quotes in different parts of the book word-for-word. This was odd for me (besides the repetitive nature) because this book is so clearly and thoroughly researched I was certain she had other interview quotes she could have used.
Minor really when weighed against how informative, entertaining, and compelling this book really is!
I can't believe this was written by a first-time (non-fiction) author! I think Ms. Stevens might be a monumental talent in her own right.

10 people found this helpful

Great book for Artists!

First off I am a lover of all things Jim Henson, so I might be a little biased, but I think Elizabeth Hyde Stevens does a wonderful job breaking down what did and didn't work with Henson Studios. It does seem possible to make art and money without feeling guilty.

4 people found this helpful

From a Muppet/Henson Fan

Overall a very clever, insightful, and encouraging view of art and the freedoms and dangers in revenue and commercialization.

If you're a fan of Jim Henson and are a creative person yourself, you will enjoy and benefit from Steven's book.

Please remember the author released the book as a serial to Amazon (one chapter at a time). There are some repeated introductions to people, projects, and concepts that are not meant to be patronizing, but allow readers to appreciate isolated chapters.

Performance:
The narration was clear and (consistently) adopted cadence and tone of the people quoted. (Henson, Oz, Brillstein, etc.)

7 people found this helpful

Fun and informative

It is a great book. I enjoyed all of it, even though I found it to have a bit of repetition from time to time. It's also more of an in depth analysis of Jim Henson's career than a comparative and motivational book on how to incorporate these things into your artistic career. Very encouraging though and inspirational still. If you are a child of the 80's and grew up with a fondness for Henson's work, you'll most likely marvel at some of the aspects of his life and career. And, if you are an artist, you'll enjoy the sporadic comparisons of his career to yours. Giving you inspiration from time to time.
The narration was well done. The author is a practiced and pleasant narrator. I wish more narrators were this nice to listen to.

2 people found this helpful

New insight on classic lessons

Much like Creativity Inc., you'll love the stories and learn along the way. Some of the lessons portray Jim as a hero but they're honest, and they don't hide his flaws.

This immediately became one of my new favorites and I highly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful

Insight on the man, the myth, and the legacy.

Somewhere between a map and compass for artists trying to find their way in a world not built for them, and the canonical history of Jim Henson's incredible life story. The only real shortcoming to this book is that you have to be a devoted fan of the muppets and have an intense interest in the business of art to get through it. It is a behind the scenes look that seemingly few people would be interested in hearing about.

So happens, this book feels written just for me.

1 person found this helpful

Difficult to follow

I struggled to get through the first chapter. It's very difficult to follow and basically just says the same thing over and over. Henson was a businessman and so the stuff they say in this book is null and void to an artist struggling with the business side of things.

Loved it!

I grew up watching reruns of the Muppets and as an artist it was easy for me to stay engaged in this book. The author did a great job in her analysis of Jim Henson as an entrepreneur and a creative.