While perusing the Monster Zero forum this morning, I came across this post by Ed Godzisewski (who, with Steve Ryfle, is working on another book on Japanese director Ishiro Honda) in a thread about Peter H. Brothers's book, Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda. It appears to be a pot-shot at Pete's book:
We are in the process of having over 17 hours of new interviews and some printed materials translated, so the research is still a work in process. What we have gotten done so far is quite fascinating stuff. Also trying to track a few more people down for interviews. We have a great selection of unpublished photos which we will be using. The original target is 2011 (the centennial of Honda's birth), but nothing is set in stone. All parties involved agree that doing the best job we can is more important than rushing it through. [Italics mine.]
Ed G.
Knowing that Pete worked on his book for years, I can assure those concerned that Pete did not "rush" it through. There's a little history on the "rivalry", see "Interview With Peter H. Brothers" for his side of the story.
My general attitude on books and kaiju-related merchandise is "the more the merrier." It is unfortunate that "rivals" in any particular fandom have to take pot-shots against others. But, that's sometimes the nature of the game.
Steve and Ed are both friends of mine as is Peter. In my opinion, I do not feel that this was a pot shot at Peter Brothers' book. Rather, it seemed to be an extension of Ed saying that they were targeting a 2011 date but weren't sure because they were taking their time. In simpler terms, it would be nice to have the book out for the centennial of Honda but it would be more rewarding to include as much great material as possible and have a later release rather than omit things just to make the date.
ReplyDeleteI would feel the same way. Rather than rush, I would make sure that I put the best possible product out and not be worried about something that already came out. Just my two cents.
Note the "?" instead of a "!" in the heading.
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