80 Years of the Oscar

The only official history of the Academy Awards and an indispensable addition to any movie buff’s library.

"Well organized reference source... very readable and visually attractive." -- Choice

The lavishly illustrated volume chronicles the ceremonies, along with the trends and events that have shaped Hollywood over the decades... It reflects the ebullience and plain-spoken analysis that have become his trademarks. -- Chicago Sun-Times

The presentation and production values of the book are excellent, the text entertaining and fun to read (and well organized—the index is almost 40 pages itself). Osborne has collected great stories, quotes, and anecdotes from hundreds of the people who have participated in the Oscars, and organized them well. It’s easy to see why, after 20 years, he’s still updating this book and why people are still purchasing it... -- Sacramento Book Review

This colorful hard cover, 440-page book will impress if displayed on a coffee table, but it is so much more than decor and a must have for anyone that is not only curious about the Oscars, but also interested in the many trends of Hollywood and the movies... -- FilmMonthly.com

For the film industry, the Academy Awards is the most celebrated and most significant night of the year: everyone longs for the recognition of being nominated to win a little golden statuette. For most of us, however, even a walk down the red carpet is just a dream. 80 Years of the Oscar puts readers into those iconic plush seats for the thrill of the Academy Awards, from the first show in 1928, shortly after the introduction of the talking picture, to this year’s eightieth anniversary. With hundreds of photographs and an informative text by Hollywood insider Robert Osborne, 80 Years of the Oscar is the official history of the Academy Awards. Organized by year, 80 Years of the Oscar chronicles the ceremonies themselves, as well as the accomplishments, trends, developments, and events that occurred, both within the Academy and for the film industry as a whole. Osborne comments on each year’s most important films and shares the stories behind them. He also transports readers into the awards show, quoting from notable acceptance speeches and celebrity reactions, as well as regaling readers with anecdotes from each year. All award nominees and winners are included, with a special listing of Oscar record-holders. An indispensable and encyclopedic reference for the amateur and expert alike, from the struggling actor to the film critic, this book has been a popular favorite since its first edition was published twenty years ago, just after the sixtieth awards ceremony. The authoritative 80 Years of the Oscar provides a depth of coverage found nowhere else, and it is sure to please movie-goers around the world.