Review: Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture by Peter Kobel

This is a surprisingly good coffee table book covering from the birth of the cinema to the start of the talkies. The narrative is an overview of the development of the industry, the creation of the early stars of film, techniques of filming and some surprising additions, like a marvelous discussion of the critical importance of sound(!) in silent films, being the musical accompaniment. The included photos, film stills and reproduced posters are of exquisite quality and detail. If you have an interest in learning something about early cinema this is an excellent introduction, the reading isn't too heavy and the illustrations heavenly. If you are already a film fan, this book would be a superb addition to your library.

Link to LibraryThing entry for this book