Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Jim Henson” never quite became a household name, but his creations are known across the world: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Big Bird, the Great Gonzo…This biography, however, isn’t the story of the Muppets or Sesame Street, and it’s not a list of the wildly successful movies Henson produced in his day. Accomplished biographer Brian Jay Jones paints a picture of the man who launched some of the 20th century’s most successful ventures in entertainment, tracking his rise from madcap coffee advertisements to the creation of the “Muppet Show,” and even beyond, with films like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Jones has done his research well, and the book’s pages are scattered liberally with wistful insights from Henson’s children, friends, and coworkers. Most remarkably, the book’s atmosphere is light and readable, a tribute to Henson’s love of simplicity and entertainment. Any reader with time to spare should pick up Jim Henson: The Biography—not because it’s an insightful or meaningful experience, just because it’s a fun look into the life and legacy of a this astoundingly creative man. – Andrew R. ’17
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