If you haven’t tried reading any of his stuff, try. Start with that one, or the classic “Slaughterhouse 5.”

While I’m banging on about stuff that I like, that you may not care about, I’ll mention “Blood Diamond” too – saw it at the weekend and thought it was superb. It’s not a happy movie, nor an easy-watching experience, but it’s one hell of a jolt about what was going on in Sierra Leone not that long ago. And, the deeper thought that Africa has suffered every time something of value is found there – be it Ivory, Gold or Diamonds… Shot with some stunning scenery and photography.

Link here if you can’t see the embedded video…

If you’ve got the bandwidth, treat yourself to the HD trailer at Apple…

First, I found a hint from MINIappolis as a comment to my earlier piece on the book itself. Anyway, I finally found the time to get to the book with a knife and, sure enough, there’s a hidden little gem in there – unsurprisingly co-authored by Evan Fry, who I think I’ve referred to in the past as well (a good friend and an awesome copywriter – or Creative Director, as he now is). I’ll leave you the same sense of mystery and anticipation, but it’s worth digging out…

Then, I managed to find the Hoopla site following a link referred to in the book.
And, on this site you can see most of the book – maybe all of it, I dunno!
You even seem to be able to buy CP+B paraphernalia – although I didn’t take that right to the point of purchase… looks like it, though!
So, go have a look here at the site.

I found this on Amazon at the beginning of the year and ordered it immediately. I was quite excited when it arrived, since the feeling that they don’t do things normally starts at the cover which is crudely abrasive – made of a fine sandpaper… which, if you read the back cover is explained…

“The abrasive nature of this book’s cover is no mistake. This way every time you pick it up, a small number of skin cells are harvested and stored in the grain itself. So whenever you take from the book, the book takes from you. And later, when you pass it down to your children, and they pass it down to their children, and those children’s children decide to have you cloned from your own DNA, well, you’ll be right their on the shelf. When you consider that the current cost of cryogenic freezing is $28,000, this book may be the most cost effective purchase you’ve ever made.”

Now, tell me that’s not the sort of book you’d be interested in!

Although, to be fair, this book won’t really tell you how CP+B go about doing what they do, but it does give you a really good feel for their attitude to advertising/hoopla… and it’ll give you some examples of work that you should know – but may not have heard about – particularly in the UK.

Buy it, but consider taking the cover off to read…

And, while you’re at it, take a look at their web site too.