This is the official history the Academy Awards, the film industry's most lavish, celebrated night of the year since 1928, when actor Emil Jannings received the first 24K gold statuette. Written by Hollywood columnist, television host, and film historian Robert Osborne, 80 Years Of The Oscar chronicles the ceremonies themselves, as well as the accomplishments and events that occurred both within the Academy and the film industry. Organized by year, Osborne transports readers into the awards show with 855 photos and comments on each year's most important films, quotes from notable acceptance speeches, and celebrity reactions upon winning an "Oscar" (the statue's nickname, purportedly given by an Academy librarian). Hardcover, 440 pages. 12 1/2" H x 9 1/2" W x 1 3/4" D. (61 /2 lbs.)