Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy - the Second Edition is out!

[Derek McGovern]

I'm delighted to report that the second edition of Armando's
magnificent Lanza biography has just been published by Baskerville.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this book, it was first
published in 2004, and represented the result of almost 30 years of
painstaking research by its author, Armando Cesari. To many
aficionados, it remains the best biography on Mario Lanza ever
written, as well as by far the most musically literate of all the
Lanza bios. It also features a glowing Preface written by the great
Plácido Domingo, who was only too happy to grace Armando's book.

The new edition has been revised and updated, and the accompanying CD
of home and concert performances has been remastered. (There are
marked improvements on the three Toronto performances, as well as on
the home recordings of the Improvviso and Tell Me, Oh Blue Blue Sky.)
Vince did a lot of the work on the CD, and I'm thrilled that he was
able to be a part of this project.

The second edition has a modified cover, and I hope to be able to add
a reproduction of it to our home page over the coming weekend. In the
meantime, the new edition can be ordered from both
http://baskervillepublishers.com and http://www.amazon.com .

Cheers
Derek

[Muriel]

Derek and Armando: That is wonderful news! I will have to order a
few copies at once! I'm anxious to see what changes have been made
and to hear the new improved CD. Thanks to Vince for all his help.

Armando's bio is the best to me. He interprets Mario's talent in an
intelligent way, so we know exactly what it is that makes him so
remarkable. Such a gift, and we know why we have come to love him so
much. I hope this book will go all around the world and make new fans
for Mario. Armando also is fair in explaining the conditions, good and
not so good, that made his life go the way it did. He showed an
empathy in doing so. We do not dwell on the sadness, but rejoice in
what we have today in recordings and films.

Congratulations, Armando, and the best of luck with this new
publication....

Ciao from Muriel

[Derek McGovern]

Thanks, Muriella! You'll no doubt be pleased to learn as well that all
of the passages that Bob Dolfi persuaded Baskerville Publishers to
remove from the first edition have now been restored. (To those who
are unfamiliar with what happened: Dolfi had threatened to sabotage
the launch of the book at the Lanza Ball if the publishers didn't
comply with his demands.) Keen-eyed readers familiar with the earlier
version will notice a lot of additional material as well, including
valuable insights from Armando on various musical matters. The CD also
has its own page of detailed track listings, and I've made a number of
changes to my chapter of liner notes.

The first edition actually sold out some months ago, and I know that
Armando's been working against the clock to complete all of his
revisions and additions. But he can sit back now and bask in the
satisfaction of having done a formidable job on this new edition.

[Lou]

Congratulations to Armando on the publication of the second edition of
his authoritative and very readable book! And thanks to Vince and
you, Derek, for your invaluable contributions. I can hardly wait to
get hold of a copy, but I find to my dismay that only the first
edition is listed at Amazon.com. I hope the second edition will be
available from Amazon shortly as the shipping rate from Baskerville to
my place is almost thrice the price of the book.

[Vince Di Placido]

Congratulations to Armando on a fantastic revised second edition, I am
just going out the door now to work but I will post later, I have read
a good bit of the book so far & I am loving it, definitely the best
Mario Lanza biography, Armando's musicality shines through, if you
want quality writing about Mario's voice & singing then this is the
place. Great work, Derek for all you have done.

[Sam]

Congratulations Armando! It must be very gratifying to have your book
go into a second edition. I am sure that some of Baskerville's other
books never got that far.

It would make for a very interesting post on this site if you could
tell us about the deletions that were made to the first edition or
better yet reproduce them exactly. I have been curious about all the
hullabaloo for quite some time! If you cannot do this, I will
understand.

On Jul 4, 5:20 am, Vince Di Placido <vincent.diplac...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> > Derek- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Jan Hodges]

Hi Lou,     The only shipping option that was available is ludicrous. Perhaps if you emailed them they might have more realistic options otherwise we will have wait for Amazon .  I once wanted to purchase some software that was priced at $50  and consisted of only a CD from a company in the USA and the only International shipping option was going to cost $108. I eventually bought it from a reseller who charged $8 for packing and postage and it arrived in Australia within 6 days. Jan

[Lou]

Hi Jan,

In my haste and excitement, I hadn't noticed that what is listed under
Baskerville's New Releases is the original edition of Armando's book.
There is no mention of the revised edition. I guess we'll just have to
cool our heels a while longer.

I find that book publishers' international shipping rates are
generally similar to Baskerville's. Unless I'm in a frightful hurry, I
order through a local bookstore. I don't know how they do it but the
price comes out even lower than Amazon's.

>  faint_grain.jpg
> 1KViewDownload

[Derek McGovern]

On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Lou <loua...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Congratulations to Armando on the publication of the second edition of
> his authoritative and very readable book! And thanks to Vince and
> you, Derek, for your invaluable contributions. I can hardly wait to
> get hold of a copy, but I find to my dismay that only the first
> edition is listed at Amazon.com. I hope the second edition will be
> available from Amazon shortly as the shipping rate from Baskerville to
> my place is almost thrice the price of the book.

Hi Lou: I'm 99% sure that it *is* the second edition of Armando's book
that both Baskerville and Amazon are offering; they simply haven't
updated their details yet. After all, the first edition hasn't been
available from either site for months, and until recently (because of
its scarcity) it was being sold on the various online market sites for
hundreds of dollars.

I've just written to Baskerville asking for clarification, and I'll
let you know their response as soon as I receive it.

All the best
Derek

[Lou]

Hi Derek: The product image at Amazon is the book with the old dust
jacket. Amazon says it's not in stock but urges customers to order now
and they will ship when available. How is one to know that what
they'll be shipping is the revised edition?

At any rate, I'm glad to see in our file section that the dust jacket
of the second edition carries Placido Domingo's name. A preface from
him does lend a certain cachet to the book.

On Jul 4, 8:09 pm, "Derek McGovern" <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Muriel]

I'm glad to know the book will include what Armando originally wrote.
I could never understand how others could tamper with an author's own
work. After spending many many years researching and writing, it seems
to me that the content should appear as written. When you see some of
the trash that appears on bookstore shelves, you have to wonder why
this particular book (written honestly) should be adjusted simply
because of the meanness of a couple of foolish people.

I realize the publisher was being held hostage, so to speak, but now
has made up for that unfortunate event. I'm sure Armando is breathing
a sigh of relief, as am I. Readers now will see that it wasn't worth
the battles and hardfeelings. Nothing was deleted that we haven't read
before. Well, it only brings out what a few people can do when they
want to draw attention to themselves....

All is well now, yeaaaaaaaaa!!

[Maria Luísa]

Can Derek or anyone who has it already please tell me if by ordering
Armando's book from Amazon will be the second edition for certain? I
sent a message before yesterday asking to be informed when would it be
available in Amazon but was gone. As I read today it is already on
sale. And something else please Derek, as I was reading some old
messages, in one of the 3rd Nov. 2007 some posters are thanking you
for some interview Mario gave to Heindorf of which I presume you gave
a link. Where could I possibly listen to it, please? I would love to.
Thank you in advance.

On Jul 5, 4:09 am, "Derek McGovern" <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Luísa: As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm 99% sure that the
edition that Amazon is selling *is* the new one, and I've written to
Baskerville asking for confirmation of this. I'll let you know what
their response is. Alternatively, you could drop Amazon a line.

The interview in which Mario talks to conductor Ray Heindorf is in our
Files section. If you scroll down past the numerous photos there,
you'll find it, along with a lot of other interesting recordings.

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Thank you Derek for this splendid news. Armando, congratulations. I
will order the book immediately and am happy that we can add another
volume to the growing information about Mario. Someday we may even
have a great movie about him so that millions of this generation can
know who he was, what he sang about and what legacy he left behind and
the joy he still gives, Saluti, Emilio

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Hi Derek, I discovered as well that what Amazon is offering appears to
be the first edition. I will keep trying....

Saluti

Emilio

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Derek McGovern]

Ciao Emilio: I've just heard from Baskerville Publishers, and they've
confirmed that the edition they're selling on their site is indeed the
latest. (They simply haven't updated their site yet.) But if you'd
prefer to get it from Amazon.com, then I suggest you hold off for a
few days. Baskerville are expecting Amazon to order in the new edition
this week, and once this is done Amazon will update their page
accordingly.

[Derek McGovern]

Just an update on Armando's book for anyone who's interested in
purchasing the second edition: I see that amazon.com have finally
updated their records to show the cover of the new version:

http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Lanza-American-Tragedy-Voices/dp/1880909669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215469536&sr=8-1

[Joe Fagan]

I wonder if Armando would be so kind as to post a few of the omissions made
last time, but included this time? ....maybe just a few sentences? we are
all VERY curious. Thanks, Joe

[Muriel]

Hi Derek: Finally!! I'm very anxious to read the additional musical
comments by Armando as well as your expanded liner notes. I believe
you once said there is a little more on the Mario! album?

This is just in time as my book will fall apart with much more use! It
already falls open by itself when I put it down...

I'll make this a Christmas present to some friends...shhhhh!

Bella! Muriella

On Jul 22, 6:11 pm, "Derek McGovern" <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Just an update on Armando's book for anyone who's interested in
> purchasing the second edition: I see that amazon.com have finally
> updated their records to show the cover of the new version:
>

> http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Lanza-American-Tragedy-Voices/dp/18809096...

[gary from N.S.]

Hello folks..Wow..this is indeed exciting news..congrats to
Armando,Derek, and Vince, and anyone else who helped in this project..
I am ordering a few copies as soon as I get home...The first edition
is a treasured book in my Mario colllection,and this shall be
another.. Cheers
Gary

[Lou]

I've just placed my order. Now comes the hard part: waiting out
Amazon's two-week expedited delivery time.

[gary from N.S.]

Hi everybody..I ordered my copy today from Amazon,and it should arrive
Aug.13th.
Wow..Christmas in August. Armando, I hope it sells out.
Cheers
Gary

[Armando]

On Jul 27, 10:07 am, "gary from N.S." <gmaid...@ns.sympatico.ca>
wrote:

Hi everybody..I ordered my copy today from Amazon, and it should

arrive
Aug.13th.
Wow..Christmas in August. Armando, I hope it sells out.
Cheers
Gary

Let’s hope so, Gary. If it does, we can look forward to a third
edition!



On Jul 27, 10:07 am, "gary from N.S." <gmaid...@ns.sympatico.ca>

[Lou]

I was delighted to receive my order today, a week earlier than
expected, but my excitement quickly turned to consternation when I
found out that Amazon had sent me the 2004 edition of the book. I have
requested for a free replacement plus refund of the return postage,
and I hope they won't insist that I'm not entitled to a free
replacement as the product description in their web site does say
2004. I went by the product image, though, which shows the revised
cover.

I hope mine is an isolated experience and that those in this forum who
have placed their orders will get the revised edition.

> > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Armando]

Hi Lou,

I’m terribly sorry to read about you unfortunate experience with
Amazon.
Both Derek and I have notified Baskerville that there’s no mention on
Amazon that it’s a second edition and that the old cover comes up when
you click on the new one. However, since the first edition was out of
stock (sold out) and the second one presumably took it’s place, I have
no doubt that they will send you the new edition at no extra cost. In
the meantime, I’ll write to Baskerville and let them know about the
problem.

I would also suggest that anyone else who has placed an order with
Amazon write to them immediately, making sure that it is the second
edition that they’ll be receiving.

[Lou]

Hi Armando: I'm happy to report that Amazon is sending me a free
replacement
"as soon as possible." They also told me I need not return the first
shipment as the cost of return shipping will be prohibitive. While I
hate having to cool my heels for another week or so, I'm glad Amazon
is being very professional about correcting their error.

[gary from N.S.]

Hi Lou,and anyone else who has ordered the book.
I received my order today,earlier than expected,just as you
experienced.
Sadly, I have had the same experience,and received the 2004 copy.
I am about to attempt sending it back for either a refund or a
replacement,ie. the revised edition.
I have never had any problems with Amazon over the years,so I
anticipate this should be looked after without too much difficulty.
Cheers
Gary

[Armando]

Hi Gary,

Based on Lou’s experience, I would suggest you write to Amazon first
as they will most likely send you the new edition without you having
to return the 2004.

Good luck!

[Lou]

Hi Gary: What I did was clicked on "Help" at the upper right hand
corner of the Amazon web page, clicked on "Exchanging a Broken or
Incorrect Item" under "Returns & Replacements" at the left side of the
screen, and followed the instructions that appeared. For good measure,
I also clicked on "Contact Us" and completed the email form, where I
asked about Amazon's preferred return shipping method and indicated my
understanding that they would refund me the shipping cost.

I have just received an email from Amazon that the replacement has
been shipped. Come to think of it, the edition of the replacement is
not specified in their description of the item. Fingers crossed that
they won't send me the first edition again.

[gary from N.S.]

Hi Lou and Armando,
Thank's so much for your assistance. I apologize for my late reply,but
I have been away from my pc for several days,and also no time.
I have taken your advice, and sent off an e-m,with the info. from my
order. I am confident Amazon will look after this shipping error, and
I will let you know the outcome.
Cheers
Gary

[gary from N.S.]

Hello folks,

Just a quick note on the 2nd. edition. Amazon e-mailed myself,and
advised the newer edition is being shipped and I have been refunded in
total. Also,they said no ned to return the book received originally.
Again, Lou, thanks for your very sound instructions.
Armando, and Derek; thanks to you both as well!!

Cheers
Gary

On Aug 2, 10:20 pm, Lou <louab...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[Derek McGovern]

This is good news, Gary. So now you'll end up with three copies of the
book! :-)

Let's hope Lou receives her copy soon, as I know she's anxious to find
out if Amazon has sent her the right edition.

Cheers
Derek

[Lou]

I have just received my replacement copy, but to my indescribable
disappointment and frustration, it is still the first edition. I
couldn't believe Amazon's inefficiency! I hope Gary has better luck.

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Lou: This is absolutely ridiculous! Baskerville Publishers ran out
of the first edition several months ago, and until the printing of the
second edition Amazon was out of stock of the book as well. In fact,
the only people selling the first edition (and for exorbitant amounts)
were Amazon's marketplace sellers, and I do have to wonder if it's
their stockpiles that Amazon is now offloading. (After all, who would
be interested in buying the first edition when an updated version's
available?) Whatever the reason, the situation is simply unacceptable,
and I hope you'll express your frustration to Amazon in no uncertain
terms!

Yours in sympathy
Derek

[Armando]

Incredible! I can’t believe what I’m reading Lou!
Amazon’s stupidity is simply unbelievable!

I wrote to them last week about this mess. All I received was a reply
to the effect that they do not deal directly with authors.

I am truly sorry, Lou, as I understand how frustrating this must be,
but you just have to keep at them!

[Lou]

Hi Armando and Derek: Thanks for commiserating with me. My initial
reaction was indeed to tell Amazon off in no uncertain terms about
their inefficiency, but it just so happened that I also received at
the same time another eagerly awaited item, the 2-CD Mario Lanza:
Encore I had bought from eBay. I decided to listen to the Encore
before writing to Amazon but by the time I finished listening to both
CDs, my disposition had improved to the point that I just begged
Amazon to please, please make sure that this time they send me the
second edition as replacement.

It might interest you to know that before placing my original order, I
requested Amazon to confirm that the item on their web site was the
second edition, as per the cover image, and not the first edition, as
per the product description. Customer Service replied that they had
checked their web site and couldn't determine whether the item was the
second edition or not. They explained that their information is
limited to what the publishers supply to them and this is what appears
on their web site. They also said that the Customer Service centers
are not in the same location as their fulfillment centers and for this
reason, they were unable to check the physical details of the book for
me. As I was too excited to wait any longer, I went ahead and ordered
the book on the basis of the cover image.

You can bet, Armando, that I'll keep at them until I get the right
edition.

[Lou]

Hi again, Armando and Derek: Right after I sent my last post, I
received an email from Amazon which reads in part: "I'm sorry to hear
the replacement book had the same problem as your first order. This
usually doesn't happen. Since it's likely another replacement would
arrive incorrect, I won't trouble you with another order." I find it
strange that they take it for granted that another replacement would
arrive incorrect. Is it because they have only the first edition in
stock?

In lieu of a replacement, Amazon is giving me a refund of $35.10. As
this covers only the cost of the book itself, I wrote back that the
refund should be in the amount of $55.08, which includes the expedited
international shipping cost that I paid for. Regardless of whether I
get the full refund, however, I am terribly disappointed that I won't
be able to get hold of the new edition for some time.

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Lou: Have you thought of contacting Baskerville Publishers directly
and asking them what their shipping rates would be? Their e-mail
address is ord...@baskervillepublishers.com . If you do contact them,
be sure to specify that it's the second (2008) edition you're after --
not that they should have any copies of the first edition left -- as
I'd hate for this farce to be repeated with them as well! (You might
also like to ask them why they're still showing only the first edition
on their webstore!)

[Derek McGovern]

I've just realised that the Google system won't let me show the full e-
mail address for Baskerville. So here it is again:

orders[at]baskervillepublishers.com

[Muriel]

I'm sorry to hear that Lou and Gary have had so much trouble procuring
the second edition of Armando's Mario book. Today I ordered a couple
of copies directly from Baskerville, but it shows the cover of the
original on their website. I'm thinking it might be the new one as
they describe it as newly off the press. (Hmmm, maybe?)

The price is reduced to $34.00, though, so I'll hold my breath and
hope for the best. I should receive them during the coming week. I'll
let you know. One funny thing - the invoice shows Baskerville as
*Bakserville*!! They might have an editing problem...

The web address I used was Baskervillepublishers.com. When I typed in
*orders*, it didn't recognize that. Now we wait....

Muriel

[Lou]

Hi Muriel and Derek: A couple of days ago, as Derek suggested, I
emailed Baskerville Publishers directly at their *orders* address.
Today, I received a reply from the controller, Ann, confirming that
what they are selling is indeed the second edition, apologizing for
the delay in their webstore image update, and assuring me that she
will personally process my order for the second edition. Since I had
indicated that I found their shipping cost of $101.57 prohibitive and
out of proportion to the cost of the book, she said she would try to
find a less expensive alternative.
I wrote back that unless they can bring their shipping cost closer to
Amazon's $19.98 for the same shipping method, I'll just order from
Amazon.com when both the cover image and the product information on
the second edition appear on their web site.

> > orders[at]baskervillepublishers.com- Hide quoted text -

[Muriel]

Hi Lou: I, too, have received an e-mail from Ann at Baskerville,
stating that the second printing has now been released and I'll
receive the two books I ordered. My shipping for the two is around
$18.00, so I'll check at the post office and see what the postage is
to your country. If it's not outrageous, I'll send one to you. I'll
write to you by e-mail and you can decide.

Ciao, Muriel

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Lou]

A million thanks, Muriel, for your kind offer! I may not need to take
you up on it, depending on Ann's reply, but I really appreciate the
thought.

Love ya,
Lou

[gary from N.S.]

Hello to all..

Well Lou, it looks like another deja-vu;as I received my 2nd. book
from Amazon,and indeed it is still the same 1st. edition. I contacted
them this am. and received the same reply as yours.They are passing on
a full refund,which is one good thing.
I shall likely follow suit again, and order the book from the
publisher as you have.
And Michele if you read this,please just follow the e-m instructions I
sent you and Des. earlier this am.
Regards to all,
Gary