after numerous false starts, I've finally managed to read RAMSAYE-A Million and One Nights. Amazing book. The language is not as excessive as in first chapter, and there are offensive passages (guess one could expect that in a book from that era?) but there is a wealth of fascinating stories about the inventors of the technology, founders of the production distribution and exhibition elements of the industry, the performers, society and world events.

Also should mention Abel: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EARLY CINEMA (Routledge).

Cheers, Thomas.