50 years of praise for 'The JAWS Log'

Few behind-the-scenes books have achieved the legendary status of The JAWS Log. Written by screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, this definitive account of the making of Jaws is more than just a production diary—it's a thrilling, insightful, and often hilarious deep dive into the challenges, triumphs, and sheer chaos that shaped one of the most iconic films of all time. With firsthand anecdotes, behind-the-scenes drama, and a sharp, self-aware wit, Gottlieb captures the magic and madness of Spielberg’s groundbreaking thriller. In this post, we celebrate The JAWS Log and explore why, nearly 50 years after the film’s release, it remains an essential read for cinephiles, filmmakers, and fans alike.

"Jaws is one of those movies where the 'making-of' story is nearly as good as the movie itself, especially when it is told by the unsung hero of the story, the screenwriter. Because above and beyond the Spielberg touch and the fine acting, the reason Jaws is a great, great movie is the script, with its juicy characters. Carl Gottlieb wrote that script, and his behind-the-scenes account of the production is riveting."

—Peter Biskind, author, Easy Riders, Raging Bulls

"Steven Soderbergh... saw Jaws and became obsessed, seeing it again and again, and reading and rereading The Jaws Log by Carl Gottlieb, highlighting things in it and going through several copies, wearing them out."

-Rolling Stone

"The Jaws Log is like a little movie-director bible. Whenever I'm having a bad day at work, I go back and read a chapter ... and thank the Lord I'm not shooting on the ocean."

-Bryan Singer, director, The Usual Suspects, X-Men

"Since The Jaws Log was first published, we've seen countless behind-the-scenes accounts of the making of movies, but none comes close to Carl Gottlieb's artful, detailed, and very funny account of the making of this motion-picture phenomenon. It's not only entertaining and insightful, but it also truly enhances one's appreciation of a remarkable filmmaker's achievement."

—Rob Reiner, director, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally

"Like Jonah writing from the belly of the whale, Carl Gottlieb's journal of the process of making Jaws comes from the unique perspective of one of the major players in the collaboration that resulted in Spielberg's classic movie."

—John Landis, director, The Blues Brothers

"This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest books about making movies. Gottlieb, who wrote the screenplay for Jaws, gives a day-to-day account of the process of making the film, from choosing the location to building the shark ... or rather, sharks! You get to see the magic—and madness—of moviemaking, from the crazy shoot to the blockbuster hit."

-John Krasinski, actor, The Office