Gojira 1954 is in the house! Just received my contributor copy from long-time author, editor, and daikaiju enthusiast extraordinaire, Peter H. Brothers. His newest monster book is a collection of essays, articles, and interviews devoted to the original 1954 Toho classic, titled Gojira 1954: A 70th Anniversary Retrosective. This one features my little essay, "The Big Old Stomp That Rocked My World," which recounts the day I watched Godzilla - King of the Monsters and the earth literally shook, along with contributions by Mike Bogue, Bradford Grant Boyle, Mark Cerasini, Allen A. Debus & Elizabeth Russell Debus, Davide Di Giorgio, Bob Eggleton, William Tsutsui, Larry Tuczynski, and many others whose names will strike familiar chords among daikaiju aficionados. The book also features personal accounts and interviews with numerous individuals involved in the original film production, including Special Effects Director Sadamasa Arikawa, Director Ishiro Honda, Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, Art Director Akira Watanabe, and many more.
Doubtlessly because Toho is very restrictive about the use of Godzilla images, the book offers only a smattering of photos. To be sure, though, the superlative written content makes this book a true keeper.
Peter H. Brothers is a multi-Rondo Award nominee, author of Atomic Dreams and Nightmares, Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men, Sons of Godzilla, and many others. Gojira 1954: A 70th Anniversary Retrospective is available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audiobook.
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I find the autographed Raymond Burr photo pretty danged awesome. |