[close] The only book officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this hefty tome presents the history of the movies through the lens of the industry's central organizing body. On May 4, 1927, AMPAS came into formal existence, and since then it has served as the primary forum for addressing industry-wide issues and honoring the achievements of those involved in motion picture making.

Robert Osborne, a columnist and critic for the Hollywood Reporter, uses a crisp, engaging style to discuss film developments and movie trends during 70 years of Academy Awards. Each year of the Oscars is covered in detail, with an introduction that summarizes the year's movie highlights, nominees, and winners, followed by a complete listing of nominees and winners in all categories. Osborne also provides encapsulations of each decade, noting trends, scandals, and political battles AMPAS waged. Former award winners were asked to write about their favorite Oscar memories, and included is a rich and varied selection from the more than 120 personal responses submitted. Photographs (nearly 700 rare shots) bring the historical information alive, offering a fascinating glimpse into Oscar ceremonies of the past. The original movie posters for each Best Picture are also presented, as well as stills from nominated films (they will have you running out to the nearest video store to reexperience the movies in their entirety). Serious students of film and trivia buffs alike will spend hours poring over this wealth of information that adds a fascinating historical perspective to the glitz and glam of the Oscars. --Brangien Davis [close]