In the mesmerizing exposé "The Devil's Candy," Julie Salamon offers a riveting behind-the-scenes look at the tumultuous production of "The Bonfire of the Vanities." With unprecedented access to the film's set, Salamon crafts a definitive portrait of Hollywood extravagance, ambition, and folly. From the soaring expectations of director Brian De Palma and his cast to the project's descent into cinematic infamy, she captures the high-stakes drama with sharp insight and unflinching detail. As the production's lofty dreams crumble, Salamon chronicles the clashes of ego, the capricious nature of creativity, and the industry's relentless pursuit of the next blockbuster, laying bare the soul of Hollywood in all its flawed glory. "The Devil's Candy" stands as a classic in the canon of film literature, alongside works by John Gregory Dunne, Steven Bach, and William Goldman. With a narrative as compelling as any blockbuster, Salamon not only charts the downfall of "The Bonfire of the Vanities" but also probes deeper into the heart of filmmaking itself—where art and commerce, genius and hubris, are inextricably intertwined. This book is an essential read for anyone fascinated by the lights and shadows of movie making, offering a timeless lesson on the thin line between monumental success and spectacular failure in the dream factory known as Hollywood.