I always perceived Hitchcock as a complex individual, which is precisely why I chose this book. Similar to other biographies, it contains an abundance of data points that might potentially bore you. With biographies, it's all too easy to have such a feeling, and it's extremely difficult to avoid. One must express great appreciation to the author for uncovering so much information about Hitchcock, who was rarely expressive and careful to hide details about himself from the outside world. The amount of groundwork and the number of people the writer has interacted with to capture the essence of the book is no easy feat.

The book's organization, divided by the director's years with a milestone-covering section, presents a unique way to chronicle a person's life history. There are numerous actor and people names that I scarcely knew, which I had to breeze through as I was only interested in the core of the matter. The balance of the book is truly worthy of great compliment. Never does the author present facts or data in a one-sided manner, making one believe that the author is a neutral party, which enhances the book's effectiveness.

The cinematic knowledge of Hitchcock, such as how he envisioned things in a movie, planned murder scenes and regarded murder as an art, handled the camera and people, selected heroines' costumes, dealt with artists' contracts, seldom wanted to be a bad boy to anyone, remained aloof and alone until the end, placed himself in different films as both positive and negative characters, subtly portrayed his world view in his films, felt about his films and characters, started a film and saw it through to the completion of the story, treated dinners, drinks, and people on set, was only interested in envisioning the script and not in directing it, felt stressed to maintain his success, relaxed himself during tours, travels, and on set, was a family person with a lot of emotion, concentrated his films on the topics that scared him, was the opposite of his films and characters, was adamant about locations, artists, and other technicians, was self-centric when it came to money, considered the way the world treated him, gave so much independence and importance to Alma, felt lonely towards his death, was erratic in his final days, and was judged by different people at different stages of his life, were all very interesting to learn about. One can gain a better understanding of people and the world after reading such a detailed biography of a rather complicated character.

If you are a fan of Hitchcock, a person interested in psychology, or someone who enjoys understanding different types of people, then this book is for you. If not, the book might be dull. Just read the review and move on.

Oof.

Today, I want to talk about a very interesting topic.

It's about how we can make our lives more fulfilling and meaningful.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the daily grind that we forget to stop and smell the roses.

We need to take the time to do the things that we love and that make us happy.

This could be anything from reading a good book to going for a hike in the mountains.

We also need to focus on our relationships with others.

Spending time with family and friends is so important and can bring us a lot of joy.

By making these small changes in our lives, we can start to feel more fulfilled and satisfied.

So, let's all make an effort to live our lives to the fullest and enjoy every moment.

Oof.

The text seems rather brief and lacking in detail. It simply states that there are too many names and dates, which makes it not very interesting. However, without further context, it's difficult to fully understand what exactly is being referred to. It could be a historical account, a research paper, or even a story.

If this were a historical text, perhaps the names and dates are important for documenting events, but the way they are presented might be dry and unengaging. Maybe a more narrative approach could be taken to bring the story to life and make it more interesting for the reader.

On the other hand, if it's a research paper, the names and dates might be crucial for supporting the arguments and findings. In this case, it would be important to present them in a clear and organized manner, perhaps with some analysis and interpretation to make them more meaningful.

Overall, while the statement about too many names and dates being uninteresting has some merit, it's important to consider the context and purpose of the text to determine the best way to present the information in a more engaging and interesting way.

I think all the essential information I truly needed to know about Hitchcock could have been neatly summed up in a magazine article. A 20+ hour audiobook was, without a doubt, an excessive overkill. Hitchcock was indeed an outstanding filmmaker, but he was also an awkward individual around most people. Around those over whom he held some power, he could be extremely mean, a trait that was often minimized and brushed off as that of a "practical joker".

This book provides numerous examples of all these aspects. However, an inordinate amount of time is dedicated to speculating about the reasons why Hitchcock did what he did, and guessing at his emotions and feelings. There is no real evidence to support these speculations, beyond the author's claim that his assumptions are the obvious ones. To be honest, while these guesses seem as good as any, they also come across as mere filler.

Thankfully, there are a sufficient number of interviews and behind-the-scenes stories in the book that could have made it a decent read. But the additional speculation about who Hitchcock really was has made it a much more difficult and less interesting read than it could have been if it had simply adhered to the facts.

First of all, this is an outstanding and extremely detailed biography of Alfred Hitchcock.

It not only captures his remarkable films and TV shows but also delves into the private man and his inner demons.

I truly feel as if I grew up with Alfred Hitchcock, both in the theaters and on television.

Together with shows like Twilight Zone, I found many of his TV episodes to be incredibly creative, sometimes even frightening, and often deeply thought-provoking.

It was not like The Lucy Show or Ed Sullivan.

As the author discusses some of the best TV episodes, I can recall the storylines completely with just a few cues.

I had the privilege of seeing the following films on the big screen: 1959's North by Northwest, 1963's The Birds, 1964's Marnie, 1966's Torn Curtain, 1969's Topaz, 1972's Frenzy, and 1976's Family Plot.

After watching The Birds, I was too scared to see Psycho in a theater.

My father, a fearless 6 foot 4 Norwegian farmer who was as practical as a rock, even mentioned that for weeks after seeing the film, when he was in the field and saw a flock of birds, it gave him the creeps.

Of course, I have watched Psycho since, along with virtually every film made by Hitchcock.

Sometimes I would watch a film again immediately after finishing because I had missed the Hitch cameo.

Due to the nature of his movies, I don't believe Hollywood ever truly gave Hitchcock the recognition he deserved for his masterful direction of the actors and films.

You can't expect a director of these deeply psychological and often terrifying films to have been a carefree and happy-go-lucky guy.

Hitchcock was haunted by his childhood, unfulfilled sexual urges (perhaps best exemplified by his obsession with Tippi Hedron), and the inability to express anger in a more productive way.

Many of his practical jokes were quite abusive.

I was sorry to learn that he was a chronic alcoholic, which was most evident in his later years.

If you are a fan of Hitchcock's films, I highly recommend this biography. Kristi & Abby Tabby

As engrossing as one of Hitchcock's movies, this book truly captivated me. It is not just an illuminating psychological portrait of the master filmmaker but also an in-depth exploration of his techniques, obsessions, art, and the world he inhabited. Reading it, I not only gained a deeper understanding of Hitchcock's films but also of film in general. It delved into film as an art form and placed it within a historical and cultural context. The details provided were juicy enough to spark speculation, yet the book was as well-documented and researched as possible. I had heard that this was a controversial take on Hitchcock, and I imagine that's because it challenges the image of the reticent gentleman he often projected. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, I absolutely loved this book. It offered a fresh and fascinating perspective on one of the most influential figures in cinema history.

As a child, I would excitedly run home after school, eagerly anticipating the moment when Alfred Hitchcock would walk into that round silhouette. The iconic 'bum-da-ba-de-DUM-be-bum' would then sound, indicating the start of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'.

During my teenage years, when watching 'Notorious', the thrill I experienced was in line with the surge of hormones. There were hinted undercurrents of sex and death, submission and sadism, power and things spiraling out of control.

As an adult, after countless viewings of Hitchcock's canon, there always seems to be something new to discover, a trick to observe, or a moment when I think 'I see what he did there'.

'The Dark Side of Genius' presented me with the challenge of understanding how the magician performed his tricks. It slightly diminished the mystery, making some aspects of my interpretation of the meaning now more open to empirical evidence. This book offers a thorough, albeit somewhat repetitive, examination of seminal psychological imagery. In Hitchcock's case, it is played out on the grand stage of film. For the record, this case study is undoubtedly valuable to any Hitchcock fan, movie enthusiast, psychology aficionado, or film-maker admirer. It涵盖了当时的电影制片厂政治、电影向有声过渡的技术细节、色彩、审查制度，以及美国政府希望公众如何看待自己等内容。只是，不要期望这是一部希区柯克式节奏的惊悚片；你可以看出它的走向以及结局。

Overall, 'The Dark Side of Genius' provides a comprehensive look at the mind of Alfred Hitchcock, but it also comes with a trade-off in terms of the mystery and magic that his films once held.

I recently listened to an audiobook through my local library.

The narrator, unfortunately, was quite robotic in his delivery. He also made a couple of rather odd pronunciation errors, which was a bit off-putting. Overall, his voice was slightly distracting and made it a bit difficult to fully immerse myself in the story.

However, despite these drawbacks, the content of the audiobook was quite interesting. It provided some fascinating inside Hollywood anecdotes, especially about the goings-on during movie shoots.

Learning about the behind-the-scenes chaos, the last-minute changes, and the interactions between the actors and the crew was truly captivating.

It gave me a new perspective on the movie-making process and made me appreciate the hard work and creativity that goes into creating a film.

Even with the less-than-perfect narration, I'm glad I listened to this audiobook as it offered some valuable insights into the world of Hollywood.

Is there a person who is even remotely interested in movies or TV who doesn’t know the name “Alfred Hitchcock”?

Such is the stature of probably the most famous film director of all time. He was not just a director; he was first and foremost a technician, an artist who had meticulously mapped out all of his movies precisely in his head before a single frame was shot.

Achieving a worldwide success that few celebrities have achieved before or since, he amassed fame and fortune on an incredible scale. However, he didn't start out that way. He was an obese, shy boy, raised Catholic in Edwardian England. Due to his repressed upbringing, he failed to connect with many people and had many hang-ups in his life, mainly with females. He never really felt comfortable with them but held repressed urges until nearly the day he died. Married to his creative partner Alma, Hitchcock was truly a genius. His ideas for storytelling, scenery, plot, and characterization were second to none. But he was also a glutton, an alcoholic, an accused sexual abuser, a cheapskate, and a man with no real friends.

This duality is explored in depth in Donald Spoto’s excellent book. It is not just an examination of his films, although they do get examined in some detail. Written in 1983, only a few years after his death, the book is remarkably frank about Hitchcock’s many shortcomings.

A very detailed look at Hitch's life and films that exposes some warts.

We cannot term sexual harassment too lightly, but perhaps not as many as if this account had been written at a later time.

It was truly enlightening to learn about his traumas and fears, and the often sad life that he led.

Hitchcock's experiences clearly had a profound impact on his work and his overall perspective.

Definitely, there is a need to re-watch some of his movies.

By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the masterpieces and how his personal struggles influenced the cinematic art that he created.

Rewatching his films with this new knowledge in mind will likely offer fresh insights and a more nuanced appreciation of his work.

It is fascinating to explore the connection between his life and his films, and this detailed examination has opened up a whole new world of understanding about one of the most iconic filmmakers in history.

This is precisely how a biography ought to be penned. It should be lucid, presenting the facts objectively, and offer easy reading. Additionally, a touch of whimsical comments that are more befitting of the biographee can add an extra layer of charm.

If you are a devotee of the maestro and hold his masterworks in high regard, then this biography is an absolute must-read. It serves as a gateway into the kitchens where the master's immortal films were crafted. However, it doesn't stop there. By employing the stream of consciousness technique, Mr Spoto undertakes a highly intelligent analysis of the personality of the genius and the recurring leit motifs that run through his films.

This approach not only provides insights into the creative process but also offers a deeper understanding of the man behind the masterpieces. It is a captivating exploration that will surely engage and enlighten any reader with an interest in the maestro and his body of work.

An Incredible Look into the Life and Works of Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest filmmakers. This detailed work delves deep into his life and movies, with a significant amount of research evident. Each chapter is arranged chronologically, representing a specific period of his life. Although there may be some jumps within a chapter when a particular work is mentioned, the overall timeline follows his journey from birth to death.

However, this book is not just a straightforward biography. Instead, it offers a commentary on how the author believes Hitchcock's films were a reflection of the inner demons he faced. The author often presents his own interpretations of Hitchcock's feelings as facts, rather than relying on direct quotes from the filmmaker himself. At one point, it is even claimed that other biographers' opinions about Hitchcock's motivations are incorrect, and that the author knows the "true" facts. As the title implies, all of these supposed motivations stem from a "dark side" of Hitchcock's mind, filled with foul desires.

Overall, this book provides a decent in-depth exploration of Hitchcock's life and works. If you can overlook the author's tendency to present his opinions as facts, you will gain a wealth of knowledge about the man, his films, the people he worked with, his rise to fame, and his eventual decline. However, if you prefer a shorter and more objective account that allows you to form your own opinions, you may want to look elsewhere.