Series: FAQ

Exactly who was Jack the Ripper, the infamous Victorian serial killer? Jack the Ripper FAQ explores this question in depth, providing a thorough overview not only of the world's most notorious serial killer but also of the cultural impact that remains as powerful more than 130 years on from his murderous spree. Every murder attributed to him is discussed in...

Perhaps no other character in all of international film is as beloved by American audiences as Godzilla. Since 1954, Godzilla has been one of cinema's most enduring and popular characters, and with a total of 28 films under his massive belt (not even including two American reboots), he’s also the star of the longest-running franchise in motion-picture history. From his...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ is the in-depth story of not only the legendary stage show and movie but of a unique period in theatrical history—in the movie's UK homeland as well as overseas. Rocky Horror has been performed worldwide for more than 40 years in over 30 countries and has been translated into more than 20 languages. Inside...

Here's the lowdown on the unforgettable show about the Forgotten War. MAS*H began as a novel written by a surgeon who had been in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. After being rejected multiple times, the novel would go on to become a bestseller, leading to 14 sequels, an Oscar-winning movie that propelled its director and actors...

Bursting onto the Los Angeles rock scene in the mid-1980s, Guns N' Roses redefined rock 'n' roll, turning back the tide on the excesses of glam metal and the banality of MTV-spawned New Wave/synth pop by infusing the blistering hard rock of Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith with a punk sensibility that hearkened back to the onstage anarchy of the Stooges,...

Bollywood, a popular nomenclature for India's “national” film industry in the Hindi language, along with the Taj Mahal, yoga, Buddha, and Mahatma Gandhi, is one of the best-known introductions and universally recognised associations with India across the world today. Despite its predominant narrative styles not conforming to the First World European and/or American cinema structure, Indian cinema is increasingly viewed...

In a way that no prior rock act had done, the Band assimilated, remade, and contagiously celebrated the rich, deep tributaries of American vernacular music. Blues, country, jazz, folk, gospel, soul, rock 'n' roll: the members soaked it all up, distilling what they heard and felt into an alchemical brew all their own. Via this vibrant concoction, the group—Levon Helm,...

(FAQ). Founded by guitarist Mick Jones and fronted by the legendary Joe Strummer, the Clash had the charisma of Elvis, the integrity of the Beatles, and the swagger of the Rolling Stones. Through a series of influential singles and stirring concerts, the Clash not only outlasted their rivals the Sex Pistols but also prospered and broke through in the US...

Frank Zappa FAQ. The name says so much: composer, guitarist, singer, bandleader, conductor, and exponent of Article One of the U.S. Bill of Rights. In this volume, author John Corcelli reveals Zappa's roots as a musician, from his diverse influences to his personal life. We also learn more about his former band members and the enormous musical legacy inherited by...

Delivered through the fast-moving, topical FAQ format, this book covers the band with freshness, giving a 360-degree view into all things Green Day, from major career milestones to obscure details. Green Day FAQ tackles such topics as the band's roots and early gigs, who's who in the extended Green Day enterprise, and what artists proudly claim Green Day as an...

Led by the iconic frontman Robert Smith, the Cure remain one of the most beloved and influential bands in the history of alternative rock. Thanks in part to classic singles like "Just Like Heaven," "Boys Don't Cry," "Lovesong," "In Between Days," and many others, the Cure have sold millions of records worldwide and have performed in front of countless fans...

Twin Peaks, the infamously strange, seductive, and confounding murder mystery that made network television safe for surrealism, is returning to the small screen after 25 years. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the series enjoys a hallowed standing in popular culture and remains a touchstone in the evolution of TV as an artistic medium. For its many intensely devoted...