The Oscars: The Secret History of Hollywood's Academy Awards by Anthony Holden
It is 13 inches tall and weighs eight pounds, yet in its 66-year history the Oscar has come to exert an hypnotic hold over film performers and audiences alike. This book uses the narrative story of an individual year (1992) as the basis of a much broader and historical canvas, to present a portrait of the film world today, and its personalities, finances and power-struggles. It also includes detailed lists of Oscar facts and figures, winners and losers. The author's other books include best-selling biographies of Prince Charles and Laurence Olivier.