ARE MY BLINKERS SHOWING?

ADVENTURES IN FILMMAKING IN THE NEW RUSSIA

by Michael York

Reviews

"What a delight! York's writing is gentle and elegant, his observations keen and strangely selfless, the kind of vision that ideally settles calmly over the ego after 40 years of practicing one's art. Ahh, the actor's life, well used."
Susan Salter Reynolds Los Angeles Times
( # 8 on LATimes Bestseller List 23 October 2005 )

"Like the late Sir Alec Guiness, Michael York is an actor who writes with perception and panache. Here is a graceful and erudite memoir that is simultaneously a screen actor's diary, a pointillist-realist tour of contemporary Russia, and literate travel writing at its Anglo-American best."
Kevin Starr Professor of History University of Southern California

"What a terrific read, a charming, insightful and often hilarious look at the Alice-in-Wonderland world of filmmaking in today's Russia - the Marx Brothers meet the ghost of Karl Marx! I couldn't put it down."
Henry Jaglom Filmmaker

"Witty and incisive, Michael York takes us on a real Hollywood trip all the way to Russia! Loved it!
Jackie Collins Author

"Pity the poor actor: the innocent victim of producers, weather, and wardrobe malfunction. Michael York uses his other persona of intelligent human being to paint a picture of the haphazard world of independent film making. A sympathetic, witty, and occasionally painful account of the new Russia and the insanely maddening world of motion pictures."
Eric Idle Comedian and Writer

"An articulate, delicious memoir"
Liz Smith Syndicated Columnis

"A witty and well-observed account of the unpredictable adventure that is fillmmaking especially, as in this case, when it is set against the larger and equally unpredictable drama of Russia's ongoing social and economic transition."
Roger Corman Filmmaker

"Well. we never do find out whether Michael York's blinkers are showing, but we do discover that he is an unsurpassed observer of human foibles (especially his own), a fabulously witty raconteur, a passionate spokesman for the actor's craft....and an equally passionate voice for basic human values and dignity."
Martin Sheen Actor

"Michael York has always been a student of both thoughtful manners and thoughtful extravagance - here is the perfect forum for his keen and creative gifts of observation: an ideological society gone mad with capitalism and a longing for brave new heroes,"
Carole Muske-Dukes Professor, USC and Poet

"Signed up for the action film Moscow Heat , Michael York collects together his thoughts and memories of working and filming in Russia. York is an excellent observer and a great traveller, revealing some of the places and people he has encountered over the years."
Publishing News, UK Are My Blinkers Showing?
(Selected by Publishing News as one of only 19 "recommended" fall/winter titles drawn from all publishers worldwide in all categories.)

U K Reviews

"Signed up for the action film Moscow Heat , Michael York collects together his thoughts and memories of working and filming in Russia. York is an excellent observer and a great traveller, revealing some of the places and people he has encountered over the years."
Publishing News, UK

Selected by Publishing News as one of only 19 "recommended" fall/winter titles drawn from all publishers worldwide in all categories.

"What is evident from the beginning of his colorful, highly readable account of the production are his fascination for, and knowledge of, all things Russian. This is clearly a writer who follows world events and politics. In Are My Blinkers Showing? he gives as vivid and immediate an impression of Moscow life as you could get from any travel writer."
Alison KerrGlasgow Herald

"This intelligent and entertaining account of filming the recent action movie, Moscow Heat, contrasts the new Russia with York's memories of a trip 31 years ago. The actor has a good eye for the absurd, although we never do find out what "blinkers" – "the mysterious male garment featured on a Russian hotel laundry list" – might in fact be."
Muriel ZaghaSunday Telegraph