Book Description

Fifteen years after her father's death, Hilary Hemingway received her curious inheritance. It was an audiocassette filled with the voice of her father telling outrageous stories about his hunting expeditions with his famous older brother, Ernest Hemingway. In this mesmerizing book, Hilary transcribes these stories, revealing the bond between two larger-than-life brothers-and tells of her own quest to make peace with the painful parts of the Hemingway legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Yet another talented Hemingway
Its too bad Leicester Hemingway did not mine his own life for stories. I've never been able to find anything written by him other than "My Brother, Ernest Hemingway," and that was a fairly average read. Other than some insights and background it possessed to which only Leicester might ever have been privy it wasn't particularly noteworthy. Still, that book did hint that the talent in the family stretched beyond Ernest, and now Hilary Hemingway comes along to prove that fact.

This book has been attacked in some quarters as being pure fiction and, unfortunately, Hilary destroyed the only evidence that might have help prove that the source of the many tales therein was indeed her father, Leicester Hemingway. The tales recounted within are reputedly those left behind by her father on an audiocassette. But Hilary destroyed the only copy which is, admittedly odd, given that the tapes also apparently helped her to come to terms with her relationship with her father.

Hilary came into possession of the tape some fifteen years after her father commited suicide, a suicide which further added to the tragedy and myth of mental illness leading to suicide being an inherited trait in the family. Leicester was prompted to commit suicide when he lost his legs to diabetes. Hilary stuggled for years to forgive him.

This book recounts both stories of her father's adventuring (some with his more famous brother, Ernest, and some on his own)and the story of the process of how she came to grips with her father's decision to commit suicide. It is a book both about her father's life and her personal process of healing after his death. As we see in reading this book, which is actually relatively short, Hilary is a very talented writer. Although I should point out her husband, Jeffrey Lindsay, was a co-author on this book so where Hilary's work begins and ends is not certain.

Regardless, its a very compelling read whether the stories of her father are fiction or not. Frankly, most of them sound very plausible (a few do stretch the limits of credibility) and I guess we will just have to take her word that Leicester did indeed leave a recording containing these stories.

I only hope we have not heard the last from Hilary Hemingway because she appears to have a true talent for writing.

Hunting for forgiveness.
This book was a joy to read. The tales are basically told by Leicester as they were recorded on an old casette tape. The man is pulling your leg so just go with it and enjoy yourself. In the end you will find that the book is not about Ernest at all. It is about a daughter coming to terms with the passing of her beloved father. If you gain nothing more from reading this book than learning that Leicester was a fantastic storyteller then it is time well spent.

Only for the die hard Hemingway fan.
This book, although kind spirited, is only for the die hard Hemingway fan who must read everything, true or false, about the man. I found this book to be tedious at times and sometimes just simply less than truthful. At the end I felt that the authors attempted to pull the wool over my eyes but were unsuccessful, even though I was a willing participant and wished to believe their outlandish stories. ...

If you've read it, you've been there.
I picked this book up at a local bookstore. I've never read anything by Hemingway (that I remember, anyway), so I thought I'd give it a shot. I couldn't believe the treasure I'd found! I've been lucky enough to travel a bit..through India, northern Europe and some of the Bahamas, and this book just made me ache for more travel. I couldn't put it down! I didn't read anyone else's review, because I didn't want it to taint my own, so here's the scenario: Ernest's brother's daughter (Ernest's niece) has a cassette of her father telling tales, in breathtaking precision and detail, of his hunting expeditions with his brother Ernest. This tape comes to her after her mother's death, and she is swept up in the emotions of hearing her father's voice and sharing the experience with her own family. I'm not a huge hunting buff, but this book showed a respect for life unlike what I've seen in many others. The way a place is described...a taste...a moment...it's difficult to read this and not imagine yourself exactly in the moment. I spent hours curled up in a papasan chair on my sun porch, transported and lost in Africa, India, on the seas...I can't praise it enough. It was breathtaking. I have just this morning started reading "True At First Light", hoping it will captivate me the way the other has done.

hunting with hemingway
My husband and I and two of our friends, which we bought a copy for each of their birthdays, have all agreed that this is a wonderful book with some surprises, some whimsy and also found the love of the Hemingway family was much like our own families. Ms. Hemingway and Mr. Lindsay have a winner. ... Read more

Book Description

In the novel that introduced Anne Rice to the world, Interview with the Vampire, a reporter seeks out the facts behind an extraordinary life.In the years since that publication, Anne Rice has become one of the world's bestselling authors and has herself been the subject of countless interviews, profiles, and a full-length biography.Yet who Anne Rice is, and the beliefs, fascinations, desires, fears, and passions that inspire her work, remains an endlessly fascinating topic.

Now, for the first time ever in an audio format, Anne Rice discusses -- with her longtime friend, Michael Riley -- everything from her latest novels to her relationship to some of her characters; from the relationship of movies and music to her work to issues about gender, eroticism, religion, personal freedom, adolescent sexuality, and more... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Snore
A clear indication of why you shouldn't interview you friends. No question is challenging, no question is controversial, and the net result is a boring suck-up-athon. ... Read more

Book Description

"In China, a woman is nothing."

Thus begins the saga of a woman born at the turn of the century to a well-to-do, highly respected Chinese family, a woman who continually defied the expectations of her family and the traditions of her culture. Growing up in the perilous years between the fall of the last emperor and the Communist Revolution, Chang Yu-i's life is marked by a series of rebellions: her refusal as a child to let her mother bind her feet, her scandalous divorce, and her rise to Vice President of China's first women's bank in her later years.

In the alternating voices of two generations, this dual memoir brings together a deeply textured portrait of a woman's life in China with the very American story of Yu-i's brilliant and assimilated grandniece, struggling with her own search for identity and belonging. Written in pitch-perfect prose and alive with detail, Bound Feet and Western Dress is the story of independent women struggling to emerge from centuries of customs and duty. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Without Pang Mei's story intertwined I would have given it 5
I love Chang Yu-I's story, it was fascinating & well written, but I found the the authors' story bored me to tears. Yes it was nice to have the author establish the relationship between the the tale of a young Chinese woman in the early part of the century and beyond, and her niece born and raised in America, but Pang-Mei/Natasha Chang's perspective was far too centered on her insecurities growing up as a first generation Chinese woman in a family of immigrants. Why not take a cue from her ancestors and be pleased with not only who he or she was as an individual, but of the family that they came from as well. Her obsession too with her parents accomplishments and her graduation from Harvard made me think that the author veers between self loathing and an inflated self worth. Had she not inserted herself into the story except as narrator, I believe that this would have been a better book. My message to Pang-Mei Natasha Chang is get over the petty childhood teasing and get on with your life--I'm sure your chief tormentor Douglas sure has.

Haunting - Illuminates how culture can cripple women's minds
As Yu-i tells her story, it became clear to me that even though her feet had not been bound, her mind had been fatally wounded by the conditioning she received as a child that "woman is nothing."

Mistreated and abused by her husband she still devoted her life to protecting the the "face" of his parents and even his perverse second wife.

She would not allow herself to remarry until very old because of the shame it would bring on her family, though she was completely blameless in her husband's abandonment of her.

Hearing her tell her story in her own words gave me much greater insight into why it is so often women who perpetuate the women-mutilating traditions of dysfunctional cultures. I could clearly see in the attitudes she shares with us how a woman, no matter how brave, who grows up in a culture that finds only mutilated women "beautiful" will internalize the self-destructive attitudes that have been drummed into her during childhood.

I felt that the author's interweaving of her own story into the story of her great aunt weakened the book. The author is still very young and has not gone through the crises and major life decisions that would maker her own story complete enough to make it the kind of memoir material that could compete in interest with that of her great aunt. However, having I look forward to hearing "the rest of the story" when she is older. She is clearly on her way to being a fine writer!

A good book, because it is a true story.
I enjoyed the auuthor's simple writing style. The story is about a woman who decides whether or not to make her own life, or allow it to be decided for her. The best thing about this book, is that it is a true story. The book was fast reading, and very inspirational. I would reccommend it.

Why Am I Famous
This woman Natasha is suffering from the WAIF (why am I famous) syndrome. She has accomplshed nothing beside a stupid degree from Harvard (her family is loaded obviously. Her grandfather and father, chinese, went to Japan after the war. Why? Where did their money come from? Any patriotic chinese would not go to Japan after the war. They must be special.) So, she dragged up this great aunt who had been married to a poet for a few years. This great aunt has done nothing except what most good chinese women of her generation would do----swallowed bitterness, did her duty etc--- I was a child in Hong Kong when I heard about the letter Yu-I's son wrote about her proposed re-marriage. Everybody said her son was brilliant and a loving son. Yu-I herself never complained. I left Hong Kong after she emigrated so I know.

This Natasha went on endlessly about her 'suffering.' Poor thing, if chinese waiter speak to her in chinese , she would have a fit. Likewise the other way round. She did not have the grace to talk properly to a chinese ex-change student thousands of miles away from home (chinese people are not a novelty to her, she said.) She complained about chinese people with bad teeth and bad English, unlikely her posh family. Well, from what I can see from the photo, her whole family is preety ugly. What is more, they are self-centred, full of self-importance, selfish, and stupid. What with her father talking about producing 'pure chinese children.' Of course, Natasha herself will never marry a chinese. This is the real her. Trying to glamorize herself by some digging of past 'romance and glory.' She does not give two figs about the suffering of the chinese people in China like the aids village or millions of child workers working in desperate condition. She is so stupid that she mentioned Yu-I's war profiteering (buying dye used for army uniform and holding it back until the price had increased a hundred fold.) I am so sick I can puke.

Get a Life
This woman Natasha is the most irritating thing I have come across in a long time. Her own life is so stupid and boring, but she insists us to know how a million years ago she was called chinky and whatnot. She brags about her family (evidently a family ritual) endlessly. From what I can see, her family is stupid, selfish (war profiteering by Yu-Yi if you ask me), boring. Yu Yi has accomplished nothing neither. She went through what most chinese women went through in terms of humuliation, abuse, etc. But she had enough to eat and did nothing to help poor people. I am chinese myself. I am just sick of Natasha's story. To give credit to Yu Yi , she never whined before this was dragged out of her. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wagner: As Artist and Man
The greatest of operatic composers has been dead for over fifty years; today there are many more thousands than ever before to whom the immortal works of Wilhelm Richard Wagner bring their most profound musical enjoyment. But the glorious music of such operas as Tannhauser, Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde, and the Ring cycle is by no means Wagner's only legacy to posterity. The great composer was anxious to leave the world a true portrait of himself; he fully realized that he was a man of amazing ability; he knew that the story of his romantic life would be a subject of endless discussion and would hold the engrossed attention of all those who longed to gain the fullest understanding and enjoyment of his music.

Ernest Newman of the London Times, the most influential music critic on either side of the Atlantic and the author of many widely read books, among them THE STORIES OF THE GREAT OPERAS AND THEIR COMPOSERS, has made an exhaustive study of the vast mass of original Wagnerian manterial and from it he has written this invaluable study of the man and the artist. It is a story of overwhelming ambition, a story lit with the love of devoted women to whose sympathy their hero was ever susceptible, a story of artistic triumphs, financial failure, and personal passion.

A knowledge of Mr. Newman's book will enable you to appreciate, as never before, what lay behind the enduring beauty of Wagner's superlative music -- music which in its passages of turbulent majesty as well as in those of uplifted flight of soul reflects the proud, indomitable spirit of the unbridled genius who composed it.

Interesting portrait of a flawed genius
Richard Wagner is an important figure for a number of reasons. He is the composer of the Ring Cycle of Operas, Tristun and Isolde and the Maestersingers of Nuremburg. His music at one point was seen as the intellectual pinnacle of Opera. In more recent years his reputation has faded and a good deal of his early stature has been seen as the result of remorseless self promotion.

Wagner is of German origin and worked as a conductor writing in his spare time two operas which were not successful. His first success came with Riezi his third work. He began to estalish impressive credentials with The Flying Dutchman, Tanhauser and Loehengrin.

Wagner had a powerful intellect and was a theatrical innovator. He was the first one to darken the theatre to increase the mystery of the performance. He wrote a large number of essays and academic works which are now unreadable arguing for a new form of art which he described was music drama. Prior to Wagner Operas had been broken into arias, duets, and ensemble pieces. The feel of an Opera was a collection of different tunes. Wagner argued that a Music Drama should flow and he developed the use of musical signatures to represent characters and moods. He also increased he size of the Orchestra and its importance in communicating the message of the Drama.

Wagner as a person was reprehensible. He stole money refused to pay back loans and stole the wife of his greatest disciple. He was also vain, anti Semitic and personally unpleasant. Despite this he has always been seen as one of music's towering figures.

Newman is a disciple of Wagner and he has been seduced by the myth. His book is close to that of adoration rather than a dispassionate account of his life. Never the less it is an interesting work. ... Read more

Book Description

Lita™ -- see her just once in the ring and you can never forget it. The breathtaking off-the-top-rope fearlessness that she shows keeps you on the edge of your seat. You simply can't believe she's going to be able to pull off the move, and then Lita™ takes it to the next level. That's her reality, that's why she is a WWE™ Superstar.

Taking unexpected risks, daring to do what no one has done before, that's the reality of Amy Dumas, the remarkable woman behind Lita™. Amy found people who saw her determination and her heart, and agreed to train her. Among them were two local North Carolina stars who had just signed with WWE™ -- Matt and Jeff Hardy. Amy formed an instant bond with the dynamic Hardy Boyz™, whose spectacular style and high-flying bravado inspired her own bold in-ring style.

It wasn't long before Amy -- now Lita™ -- joined Matt and Jeff in WWE™, and the three friends become international sensations as Team Extreme™. Lita™ proved a true pioneer in women's wrestling, daring to get in the ring with the boys -- including Triple H™, Stone Cold Steve Austin™ and The Rock® -- and never backing down. It took a broken neck suffered on the set of a television series to stop her...but only temporarily. Lita™: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D-The Reality of Amy Dumas is the stirring tale of one young woman's amazing journey to the top of the wild, wonderful world of WWE™. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Informative
The history of Amy "Lita" Dumas has been a somewhat mystery -- no pun intended. This book, is written by Amy and Michael Kraugman ( who also helped write Exist 2 Inspire ). While the "stringing together" of the words is not exactly complicated English and while this is not exactly a literary masterpiece, the actual content is quite a read. Many people tend to put down this book due to that fact that Lita has only been in the rasslin' business since early 1998 and that she has not been around long enough to write her life story, but well, I can tell you this much, from the story of her life so far; it's quite amazing.

I am wrestling fan, I was born one and I will die one; so reading wrestling biographies comes naturally to me. It seems like I have been waiting a lifetime for this book, and I was not at all dissapointed. This is a feel good story, it is a story about making your way to the top and seeing your dreams come true by hard work, dedication and maybe a little bit of luck.

So here we have a woman who's lived all over the United States of America, ( Atlanta, Florida, Washington, North Carolina, Virginia ), she's graduated from high school and she has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She plays in a couple of bands, travels to Europe, does the whole finding herself cliche, but eventually, she does. She finds her passion, she finds wrestling.

This book explains everything from her relationship with her on/off boyfriend of the last four years, fellow wrestler, Matt Hardy, her passion for the business, her days as a rocker and her love for animals. Everything you wanted to know about this young woman is present in this autobiography -- and more.

If you are a Lita fan; you'll love this. If you are a wrestling fan; you will appreciate this. If you are a reader; you should read this.

This WWE Diva is back and better than ever in the ring, she is at the top of the ladder of success, and she is still climbing and enjoying every moment of it.

Book Worth The Travel
Young Amy Dumas is known to millions under the WWE Franchise as Lita, the high flying, risk taking, dare devil of a woman who is well known for not only her skills against the women, but against the men as well. I grew up not really liking wrestling, but I would occasionaly watch it with my Uncle who is a big fan. But as I would watch...this young lady would stick out like a sore thumb.

Within this book Amy Dumas (Lita) describes her road to becoming the professional wreslter she is today, as well as her journeys after. She has went through a great deal, being nearly homeless after highschool, working as a stripper, taking judo lessons, as well as the carreer threatening neck injury that took place on the set of t.v. show Dark Angel. This novel is well worth every penny to anyone who is slightly interested in the life of this inspiring younge woman.

Lita's Fan
This the best book i ever read. I am a big fan of Lita and of this book. Once you start to read this book you will not want to put it down. You think it will be about her becomeing a wrestler, but its so much more. It tells about her first job and her first house. Then it tells about her love, her dog, Cody. I loved it so much. I recommend this book for everyone.

Best WWE Biography
A lot of people try to trash this biography because they don't like Lita personally. If you'll notice Lita is very rarely praised for her work. But this book is easily the best WWE Biography I've read. It's the first one that doesn't read "I've loved wrestling my whole life. Wrestling is my life. Blah blah blah." Lita loves wrestling but she doesn't only talk about that. She actually tells the story of her LIFE. Not her story of becoming a wrestler.

Why was this even written?
This is one of the worst books ever written in the now infamous wrestling autobiography genre. I don't understand why Lita wrote an autobiography. What has she done? Its like I broke my neck so buy my book. This is a useless poorly written book about some girl with a man tattoo who stalks punk bands across the story. It is a very painful read. I don't recommend this book to anyone unless you are a fan of punk band stalkers who write poorly.

Seriously I understand that it is a new fad to write a book now. People change their socks these days as fast as they write books and some of them are just pure crap. This is one of them. ... Read more

Book Description

Life, love, pain, fame, fear, rage, and guts.

Just what is it about Billy Connolly and four-letter words? Read the book that's breaking international sales records and find out.

Now a favorite of American audiences, Billy Connolly is the outrageous comedian whose unsurpassed comedic talent has won him countless fans. Billy, the revelatory, poignant, and wildly entertaining biography is written by the woman who knows him best -- his wife.

With insight and objectivity, Pamela Stephenson, a psychologist and Billy's wife of ten years, takes us through the heartbreaking and hilarious life of a comic legend and what made him the man he is today. The descriptions of Scottish life evoke the poignancy of the Ireland in Angela's Ashes as she tells of the troubled and desperately poor child in the docklands of Glasgow who grew up to captivate audiences around the world with his notoriously bawdy humor and a remarkable range of performances as a brilliant comic, a serious actor who played opposite Dame Judi Dench in Mrs. Brown, and the star of the U.S. television show Head of the Class.

Reviews (8)

Good Subject, Lousy Book
The problem is that the author is the subject's wife. It really ought to be titled, "My husband is wonderful and we have lots of very famous friends". The book has neither the insight or observation of a third party biography nor the intimacy of an autobiography. Recounting things that her husband has told her just makes the reader want to push the author out of the way and let Billy tell the story himself. The great shame is that Billy is undoubtedly a fascinating subject and has a great story to tell. Unfortunately, this isn't it. A opportunity squandered.

Great subject, lousy execution
I am an American with only a little exposure to Billy Connolly (from his sitcom and HBO appearances), but what I saw some years ago was funny. I borrowed this book hoping to learn a little more about him. Unfortunately, I came to the conclusion that Ms. Stephenson (brilliant though she may be) can't write.

As a few other reviewers noted, this book seems to be an endless series of name-dropping and/or testimonials about "how funny Billy is" (the word "roaring" as a synonym for "laughing hard" was so overused that I almost cringed upon each further reading). Anecdotes begin each chapter, often with little relevance to the chapter contents or the prior chapter's anecdote. Often they go nowhere at all - other than the ubiquitous "(insert famous person's name) told me he couldn't talk because he was laughing so hard at Billy!"

Actually, that is symptomatic of the book. Interesting facets of Mr. Connolly's life appear, only to spark our interest and then give us nothing more. An example: Billy was (sexually?) abused by his father, but we don't learn exactly what was going on. The only clue seems to be that it wasn't particularly violent. Just enough to pique interest, then it is dropped. If it is that difficult to detail, don't write about it at all!

Another: Billy may/may not have abused (physically/mentally?) his wive(s). Ms. Stephenson seems to spend a few sentences saying how "when Billy was drinking he was hell to be with" (or words to that effect), and then immediately apologizes for it with something along the lines of "it was understandable given everything he had been through". Yet later, she suddenly drops in a time she almost walked out on him for his drinking (and abuse?). This, after plenty more anectodotes (of which almost none are funny) but no real descriptions of what Connolly was doing wrong.

Finally, and easily the most grevious oversight, is a total lack of his ACT. We know he played the banjo, and sang some humorous songs in a Folk style. We also get one or two song snippets, but the humor completely fails to translate to the page. Furthermore, we get NO idea of what makes his stand-up show so mesmerizing. Oh, we get a lot of him pacing and worrying before a performance (with Ms. Stephenson the doting wife cheering him on), and then EVERY TIME "But once he was on stage, everything was OK and the audience roared for 2 hours!" What she discusses, if it were the sum total of his act, couldn't have supported a career for 20 minutes.

From what I read, there is a FANTASTIC story in Mr. Connolly's life. And I'd really like to read it. Unfortunately, I haven't. I would warn people to stay far away from this book.

Billy's interesting, but Pamela can't write
I love Billy Connolly, as so many people do. He's funny, irreverent, with an air of both danger and vulnerability. I used to like Pamela back when she was a comedienne, and as a psychologist, I'm sure she's terrific.

But please, stick to your day job, Pamela!

As a writer, she's dull. Sentences plod by:
"Bill was very happy."
"Billy still struggled with his academic work, but the atmosphere at St Gerards' was much more supportive..."
"The idea of doing the unexpected always had great appeal for Billy."

You get the idea.

I can sense she loves Billy, but she can't tell a story for peanuts. The book only occasionally has the flavour of Billy Connolly, and I missed him. The real Billy was just out of the frame, his head peeking around the corner, ready to tell the tale in his own inimitable style, but Pamela was in front, blocking the way, saying dolefully "Oh, poor Billy."

Having said that, it was an interesting story. Billy's tenement childhood has had a huge impact on his life, and there are plenty of anecdotes. Just don't expect it to be all that entertaining.

Excellent from cover to cover.
I have just finished reading this book after picking it up little more than a day ago. From cover to cover I laughing out loud and thouroughly enjoyed the read.

It is well known that Billy Connoly is a keen observer of the human condition and society, but in this book his wife reveals her ability as well. Ms. Stephenson cleverly weaves present day Billy with his past, revealing her true psychological training.

The book is extremely funny in many places, but does not shy away from posting Billy's darker moments, both those inflicted upon him by others and those self-inflicted. As a result the book is all the better for it.

My only critisism is that it was too good a read, like any good book when you put it down, you wish it kept on going........

Could be an inspirational story
I think that the story of someone who was a shipyard apprentice in Glasgow, Scotland at the age of 16 who rose to be a successful stand up comic and actor, with little or no training could be seen as an inspirational story.
The book is written by his wife, Pamela Stephenson, who is a trained psychologist. I found her writing style to be a little dull and I got tired of the endless name dropping as she and Billy went to various functions.
Overall Billy's life story deserves to be read and he should be admired for his achievement. ... Read more

Book Description

Just in time, Dave Barry supplies the wholly original, much needed history and guide to the new American politics and its three capitals, Washington, D.C., Austin, and South Florida. No surprise: it's hilarious.

Understanding the urgent need for a deeply thoughtful balanced book to explain our national political process, Dave Barry has not even come close. Though he himself has covered many campaigns, run for President several times, and run for cover at the rainy inauguration of George W. Bush (the man will spare nothing for his art) Barry has instead outdone himself.

Below the Beltway includes Barry's stirring account of how the United States was born, including his version of a properly rewritten Declaration (When in the course of human events it behooves us, the people, not to ask "What can our country do for us, anyway?" but rather whether we have anything to fear except fear itself...) and a revised Constitution (Section II: The House of Representatives shall be composed of people who own at least two dark suits and have not been indicted recently.).

Dave also cracks the income tax code, explains the growth(s) of government, congressional hearing difficulties, and the persistent rumors of the influence of capital in the Capitol. Among other civic contributions, his tour of Washington, D.C., should end school class trips forever. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

I'm not making this up - Pointed Satire!
I find Dave Barry hilarious. He seemed to have a purpose - lampooning the federal government - but unfortunately as the book goes on, it seems to run out of steam and he is finally forced to wedge in commentary on the 2000 election and south Florida in a manner that seems, well forced. Which is too bad considering that this was probably the genesis of the book itself. It almost feels like "Well I've taken on the federal government which is a joke already so let's tell stories of the strangeness of Florida." Which is really too bad becuase he was on such a roll hitting Washington. Plus how many writers can pad out their book with references to zucchini? Valient effort that when it's on, it's great. When it's off, it's just sort of limping along there. Now granted, humor is in the eye of the reader, and you can't always expect hilarity from page 1 to the end, but I found myself going from "laugh out loud and have my subway mates look at me strangely" to "yea, that's funny. Ha ha." Never fully disappointed, but after all is said and done, I found a feeling of unfulfillment.

Very fun but could have been a lot better.

What happens when you mix a Libertarian and Satire?
What happens when you mix a true Libertarian with generous helpings of Satire? You get an extremely entertaining book that uses great wit to lampoon the anointed elite known as "our leaders". Dave Barry understands Government better than most of the politicians do and certainly better than the general public (most folks don't actually understand the line "I'm from the Government and I'm here to help" as being funny). The best part of this book is that although he uses satire, there is no exaggeration on his part regarding the inner workings of the Beltway. I'm glad that Dave Barry is a Libertarian and his sense of the absurd is fantastic. Nothing combats evil and pompous people better than humor. Groucho Marx made a career of it. Dave Barry takes it to the next level.

I was surprised that the last line of this book wasn't "I'm not making this up".

Enjoy the book; it's one of the best since P. J. O'Rourke's "Parliament of Whores".

Dave Barry's take on politics and government
Dave Barry is one of the best humor writers in the world today. This book is his entry into the latest round of political/humor books that folks like Al Franken and Roger Moore have been putting out of late. Barry is more of a political moderate, where as Franken and Moore are liberals who in turn as responding to Right-Wingers like Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and others.

Barry does make his moderate beliefs funny, which is something that writers normally find difficult to do. The left and right normally are able to be funny by making fun of the other side. Barry does it by mocking both, and neither at the same time.

However, his heart does not really appear to be in it. I think this book is some publisher's idea of a direction for Barry to go in, in order to ride the latest fashionable book wave and make a little money. Sure, the book is funny, but not as funny as you would normally expect from Dave Barry. Because of that the book is somewhat short, and has a lot of bad jokes... I didn't think all the zucchini jokes worked.

However, it is still Dave Barry here and the book is still better than most others written in this particular category.

The real story of Zucchini's in the Federal Government
The U.S. Federal Government is a great experiment in democracy. It is also, at times, ridiculous, silly, and an inadvertent satire of itself. Dave Barry takes a look at the U.S. government and finds a wealth of information to have fun with.

Barry covers the evolution of government from "Early Human Governments" to the U.S. government's birth and on into today. Barry goes on to poke fun at Presidential races, income taxes and silly laws. If you think Barry is having too much fun at the expense of the Federal Govt he does take time out to ponder whether government in Florida is worse and if the state should be given back to Spain (as if Spain would take it.) Barry's satirical humor is not necessarily hard hitting but it is laugh-out loud funny.

Sadly the book needed a few more Zucchini references to round itself out.

Better without the vegetables
Dave Barry's work always seems to mix very clever, witty, laugh-out-loud humor with attempts at absurdity (I'm thinking of the zucchini jokes) that just aren't clever or funny. The closer he sticks to reality, the funnier he is. There's lot of skewered reality in this book, zucchini notwithstanding, and it's well worth the read. Don't miss Dave's version of the U.S. Constitution. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Most Insightful , Funniest, Witty Page of this Book
This is the PERFECT birthday gift for any of your friends, who are approaching the 40th birthday crisis, and are not sure whether they should be publicly partying this year or not! The funniest page of the book though is headed 'About the Author', a must read page - beautifully succinct. ... Read more

Book Description

In this strikingly original look at modern culture, Robert Fulford pursues an unusual subject across a bizarre landscape whose features include urban legends, The Birth of a Nation, Jack Nicholson, Ivanhoe, TV News, Vladimir Nabokov, sex scandals and gossip, and The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Fulford sees storytelling as the core of civilized life, the juncture where facts and feeling meet, the bundle in which we wrap truth, hope, and dread. Narrative, he says is how we explain, how we teach, how we entertain ourselves - and how we often do all three at once. He distils half a century of experience as a journalist and critic into an account of human lives shaping stories and stories shaping human lives, and he asserts with special passion "the value of those unruly and unaccredited forms of narrative that arise from conversation, in particular the stories, true and untrue, that we tell about ourselves and people we know." ... Read more

Book Description

In this riveting personal story, the award-winning, bestselling recording artist takes you on a tour through his house of memories, offering a fascinating look inside his turbulent and successful life. Merle reveals previously untold stories about his birth and troubled upbringing in a converted railroad boxcar. He recalls the loss of his father when he was nine, and how his childish disobedience transformed into full-blown delinquency that landed him behind the cold walls of San Quentin. Having lived a Iife shaped by violence, gambling, and drugs, he shares the lessons he learned and how he continues to pay for decades of reckless living. He pays tribute to his mother, and relives the painful memory of her death. And he talks about the music he loves, and how it has ultimately defined the man he is.

Reviews (12)

My version of the man "The Hag"
Honest,raw,direct,entertaining. I read this book "My House of Memories: For the Record" in three hours, never putting it aside once. Merle Haggard has "been there, done that" and more. He puts on no airs about where he has come from or what he has done. The man is a genius in writing talent and the greatest voice I have ever heard. Most interesting and entertaining book. Thank you Merle Haggard. Linda D. Smith

From One Bakersfield Boy to Another
Merle's genius for lyric and creativity shines through some of the rough and ugly stories that help us understand him. A lot of the language is rough but it is part of the story that better defines the experiences that made Merle who he is. There are many times throughout the book where Merle's descriptions and thoughts ring with poetic flare.

I grew up in Bakersfield and often heard stories about the legendary Blackboard, Lucky Spot and Texas Barrell House on Union. I have family that are rumored to have sung with him at times and used to watch Merle play before he was starting out. I could appreciate many of the stories described in the book and have worked the same oilfields and packing sheds he describes. I don't live there anymore but I do go back and visit.

Over the course of the book it becomes clear how Merle has been able to completely turn around his life around and gain control of his finances, his family, his career and most importantly his spirituality.

I enjoyed the book very much. I grew up listening to Merle Haggard. I wish I could meet him someday, one ol' Bakersfield boy to another and just pick the guitar with him.

Still love the music
This is possibly the worst book Ive ever read. The book is done in seventh grade grammer about a not too bright person. It has very little to say about anything other than His rambling thru life from one scrape to another due to inmaturity and bad judgement. Merle mentions He was taken advantage of by Managers, friends, record producers, etc; Well......... I think He was taken for another ride by the author of this book! But.... still love the music !

Entertaining and revealing story
I enjoyed reading this book about a singer whose music I've always loved. Tom Carter did a good job with the chatty style, and I liked Merle's humor and honesty and humility. I highly recommend the book.

OK, But Not Great
I enjoyed the book, but I thought it could have been so much better. I learned more about Merle Haggard than I knew before. I liked the stories and Merle's sense of humor. I just think there was something missing. I can't really put my finger on what it is, but I was expecting more. The book was pretty good though. I read it cover to cover. I am sure anyone who likes Merle Haggard will enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Antwone Quenton Fisher was raised in institutions from the moment his single mother gave birth to him in prison. As a foster child, he suffered more than a dozen years of emotional abandonment and physical abuse, until he escaped and forged a life on the streets. And just as his life was about to hit rock bottom, Antwone enlisted in the U.S. Navy -- a decision that would ultimately save him. There, he became a man and discovered a loving family he never had. Through it all, Antwone refused to allow his spirit to be broken and never gave up his dreams of a better day.

A miraculous true story of one courageous man's journey from abandonment and abuse to extraordinary success, here is a modern-day, African-American Oliver Twist you will never forget.

Performed by Alton Fitzgerald White.

Reviews (78)

¿An Abandoned Child's Relentless Determination to Survive"
"Finding Fish" is the unforgettable autobiography of Antwone Quenton Fisher, who triumphed from the perils of being abandoned by his mother, followed by years of unbelievably excessive and unwarranted child abuse.

Skillfully crafted with lifelike imagery, Antwone Fisher shares an "untold story" revealing all the horrors, challenges and complexities he encountered as an unwanted foster child. A haunting tale that would have broken the spirit of a lesser man, "Finding Fish" is compelling, suspenseful, imaginative and sometimes chilling, but is robust with intrigue and unpredictable humor.

If you liked the screen adaptation of this sensational novel......"The Antwone Fisher Story"... heralded as 'The Emotional Event of the Year", you will absolutely love "Finding Fish"!

Written with great courage and startling compassion, "Finding Fish" stretches the imagination and often compels the reader to sit up, take notice and ponder about aspects of his or her own childhood.... long after putting the novel down. Brilliantly cinematic, the three-dimensional characters come to life in a manner that engages every aspect of your emotions.

"Finding Fish" explores with passion and intensity a beautiful story that no reader will be able to resist. This is exceptional storytelling that is not undermined by predicting what will happen next.

A must read!

Thought Provoking
After reading the review titled, "Overrated" and hearing of all the horrible stories in the news lately about the terrible situations that children endure in the foster care system in this country, I must say that reading Mr. Fisher's book makes me believe that ALL foster care stories, good and bad, must be shared and read and understood. It is my hope that as a result of the kind of honesty and painful truth shared by Mr. Fisher in this wonderful book and beautifully woven story, that as a community, we can find alternatives to the current system so that no other children will suffer the way Mr. Fisher suffered as a child.

The author of the review "Overrated" alludes that it is better to stay in one foster home and be abused physically and emotionally by one family than to be moved from place to place and endure abuse in various homes. To that I must say, one incident of abuse is too much! And it does not matter where it occures or with whom, the abuse is still horrible. The Pickett family that Mr. Fisher describes in this book can not feel better about themselves because they provided a roof over the heads of those foster children. What the Picketts did was collect a check on a monthly basis, not out of compassion, but as a business venture. The care of those children was paid for by the taxpayers in the state of Ohio, so foster parents who abuse have no right to feel like martyrs.

In Finding Fish, Mr. Fisher also shares the unfortunate events of the other children left in the care of this Pickett family. It is clear that Mr. Fisher is compassionate and sympathetic to the treatment of all children. My sense of the book is that Mr. Fisher does not want to reveal himself as a victim. He never feels sorry for himself, but through the beautiful language, we all feel for Little Antwone and the other children in that household.

The author of the "Overrated" review says that we can say that Mr. Fisher is "lucky" for his story and that Denzel Washington found an interest in it, but I think that an actor and a humanitarian of the caliber of Denzel Washington understands our duty as a nation to share our secrets and prevent terrible things from happening to children. I don't think luck had anything to do with it. Mr. Fisher is a very talented storyteller and writer. I am happy he is being recognized for that talent and that the terrible people he lived with did not have the ability to prevent his talent from flourishing.

So, read Finding Fish not because it is a new story that is told, but rather, read it because unfortunately, this story happens far too frequently and oftentimes is not told quite this well. To the author of the "Overrated" review, I must say perhaps you should read Finding Fish again. I am sure there are worse stories, but most of us don't have the stomach to read about them.

Mr. Fisher told his story with humor and poetry and dignity and he deserves the happy ending that we, as readers, longed to read about.

Very well done
<br /> This is a very well written book, with much emotion behind the story. The trauma and turbulation that this author went through is astounding.I haven't see the movie yet, but will do that very soon. thank you Mr. Fisher <br /> Also recommended: Nightmares Echo,Beauty For Ashes and Running With Scissors...all the above books are 5 star+ <br />

Amazing Story with Great Ending
As a former juvenile court magistrate, I know that the story of Antwone Fisher should never have happened. But it did, and does, frequently, in Ohio and the 51 other states, DC and Puerto Rico. What seldom happens is the kind of ending we have here. This book tears at your heart, makes you want to becme a guardian ad litem for every child in the foster care system, and raises your awareness of your own blessings.

A killer book from a fine writer with a great ending. A keeper.

Reading Excellence
This was one of the best books that I have ever read. I found that the story was well told and it was fun to read. I liked how Fisher uses description to make the story more interesting.
This was a great book and I would recommend you to go out and read this book if you like to read new stuff then this is the book for you.
After you read the book see the movie they are very similar not like the other book, movie relationships. The movie is just like the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Shy and sheltered as a young woman, Kathleen Norris wasn'tprepared for the sex, drugs, and bohemianism of Bennington College in the late 1960s-and when she moved to New York City after graduation, it was a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire. In this chronicle, Norris remembers the education she received, both formal and fortuitous; the influence of her mentor Betty Kray, who shunned the spotlight while serving as a guiding force in the poetry world of the late 20th century; her encounters with such figures as James Merrill, Jim Carroll, Denise Levertov, Stanley Kunitz, Patti Smith, and Erica Jong; and her eventual decision to leave Manhattan for the less-crowded landscape she described so memorably in Dakota. This account of the making of a young writer will resonate with anyone who has stumbled bravely into a bigger world and found the poetry that lurks on rooftops and in railroad apartments-and with anyone who has enjoyed the blessings of inspiring teachers and great friends.

"Norris's engaging memoir describes her coming-of-age as a college student in Vermont, and her subsequent immersion in the vibrant, often incestuous poetry world of Manhattan in the early 70's--a milieu that proved to be both suffocating and inspiring for the young poet...As Norris shares the lessons she learned in her younger years--among them, that boorishness and emotional suffering are not useful in becoming a poet--she offers valuable, practical advice on the art of writing." (Newsday) ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A great biography of Betty Kray
If you're looking for a juicy read, this isn't it. If you're looking for more about the author Kathleen Norris, this will provide you with new information about her, but only about five percent of the material in the book covers her life at Bennington, and maybe 15 percent more covers her life in the '60s. The rest is an excellent biography about Betty Kray and her work at the Academy of American Poets. The book gives great incite into the workings of the Academy and its important contribution to poetry in the United States. Norris gives glimpses of the lives of various poets popular in the '60s.
Don't expect a spiritual revelation from this book. Do expect to learn a great deal about Betty Kray.

A flawed, but illuminating memoir
Good people should not write memoirs. In The Virgin of Bennington, Kathleen Norris recalls Elizabeth Kray, long time doyen of the Manhattan poetry world. Norris serves as tour guide through the glittering world of arts and literature as the baby boom generation was coming of age. In a milieu of sex, drugs and rampant psychoses, Kray and the Academy of American Poets provided a stable and sober structure for the dissemination of poetry and the sustenance of poets. Norris, as an employee of the Academy, a poet, and friend and companion of Kray, takes us on a bus tour of the Manhattan arts scene during this era. The problem is that Norris' basic decency works against the narrative. In abiding by the maxim "If you can't say anything good about a person, just mention their name" Norris brings us to a party and points out all the glitterati in the room, but doesn't introduce us to them.

Beyond the name-dropping, there is much to be gotten from this book. Norris gives us a good look at the passion for poetry that was the core of Elizabeth Kray's being. She introduces us to the idea that poetry is to be heard, not read. Norris also shows us how poetry, good poetry, that is, is not genteel and delicate. It is hard-edged and difficult. It is passionate. Maybe this is why the only poetry that most contemporary Americans are exposed to is in songs. Maybe it also explains the (to me) incomprehensible popularity of hip-hop.

In sum, The Virgin of Bennington is not about virginity, nor is it (except for the brief introductory chapter) about Bennington. It is about an extraordinary person, Betty Kray, and her exceptional creativity and energy in the service of poetry. It is also, indirectly, a story about the love that one gifted artist has for her mentor.

Was the title picked by someone who had read the book?
A valuable history of several decades of poetry and "poetry politics" in the United States. As many other reviewers have noted, the title has little connection, however, to the contents. This fact was annoying to me, and perhaps detracted from my appreciation of the book's contents.

An honest. .
. . . with a somewhat misleading title, autobiographical "look back" at the influences which shaped the life of the author, poet Nathleen Norris.

From her extremely sheltered background to the crazed culture of drugs and sex at Bennington in the late 1960's through her own personal conversion experience, this book traces the life -- and loves -- of an extraordinary 20th century American woman.

The book will not satisfy all. The ultra-conservative will be uncomfortable with the sexual honesty expressed by the author; the far-left will be equally uncomfortable with the author's spiritual awakening and personal conversion. Those persons either too young to remember or too old to have been quite so involved in the whirlwind which "was" the late '60's and early '70's in the United States will be uncomfortable with the author's honesty about her own activities, both positive and negative.

Nevertheless, the story is in the journey -- and the journey is told with depth, with clarity, and with honesty.

Recommended.

False Advertising - but some good moments
I picked up this book at the airport bookstore coming home from a vacation in the Bahamas. I was starved for something reasonably meaty to read having failed to bring enough books with me and having forgotten that they don't have Borders in Freeport. I hadn't read anything by Kathleen Norris but this book looked like an interesting, thoughtful coming of age story from the era during which I went to college.

It seemed to start out that way. The first few chapters were an enjoyable retelling of the author's experience at Bennington where she was the proverbial "fish out of water". Those chapters were well written and fun to read.

Then she went on to tell of her time as a young woman in New York City. Here the book derailed into more of a biography (hagiography might be a better description) of her mentor. If I were into the politics of the small world of modern poets, this might have been interesting. Instead, I found it laborious and not very interesting reading. Since I work in the publishing industry (although not in New York) and have occassionally been involved in business with some of the bigger publishing companies, it might have been fun to read about the politics of the publishing world. But this book was too narrow for that.

The were parts though from time to time that were interesting, and I did enjoy the first chapter. I think this book sets the reader up for disappointed by its title and what it seems to promise on the cover. But I think if the book were more appropriately described its audience would be very small. ... Read more

Book Description

Mary Ann and Charles Sures were longtime personal friends of Ayn Rand--Mary Ann for twenty-eight years, Charles for almost twenty. Their recollections in this delightful memoir make vividly real the Ayn Rand they knew so well. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

THEY PLUMP WHEN YOU COOK THEM
Here is a book about Ayn Rand that contains no drama and no philosophy. What we get instead are vignettes mostly of work and life in her small apartment in the 1950s, and two or three funny one-liners cracked by her husband (quoted by the authors).

An inconsequential book about an important person.

There is mention of such interesting things as AR's two trips (by invitation) to see President Ford, her sojourns to stamp collecting conventions, and her husband's painting career. There is a strikingly reasonable explanation of her dislike of surprise parties (while reading this part, I realized that I dislike them too). There are sections where the authors respond to criticism of AR's "anger." All of this is effective and valuable, but unfortunately the bulk of the book is typified by the following scene (pp. 43-44):

"One day, she was in the kitchen getting lunch, and I was at my typing table. She called to me, asking if I could come in and help her. I didn't know what I could do to help the author of _Atlas Shrugged_, but I was pleased by the request. I went in and saw that she was holding a hot dog, and she asked me if I thought it was edible. When I asked why, she said that it had been in the refrigerator for a while and it was shriveled. So I examined it; it was wrinkled but I pointed out that the color was good and it didn't have a bad odor. So, I told her that if it were immersed in boiling water, it would plump up. I asked her if she wanted me to do it, and she said, 'Oh, no. You have work to do.' That amused me, because my work consisted of typing up *her* brilliant thoughts while *she* was going to cook a hot dog! Some minutes later, she came out of the kitchen, holding up a plump hot dog speared by a fork. 'You were right,' she said, and thanked me for the suggestion."

I'm not making that up. Frankly, I too would be thrilled to have worked for AR and given her advice on hot dogs, but people unaware of AR's greatness are sure as hell not going to learn about it from passages like the above. (Haven't we all cooked a hot dog?)

The book is worth maybe $5, and then only a fan should buy it. The current price is too high.

"Must" reading for her many admirers
Facets Of Ayn Rand is an impressive and informative memoir that collects 48 hours of interviews from two people who remember Ayn Rand as their friend and as a person who was totally unafraid to voice her convictions, no matter how unpopular or controversial they were at the time. Facets Of Ayn Rand offers moving testimony filled with personal touches, rendering a closer and more intimate understanding of the life and thought of a truly great and influential woman. Facets Of Ayn Rand is "must" reading for her many admirers and students of her work.

See what Ayn Rand was really like
Facets of Ayn Rand is an enjoyable behind-the-scenes look at Ayn Rand, the person. For those familiar with Ayn Rand's philosophy (which holds integrity as one of seven virtues), it will come as no surprise that her personal life was consistent with her philosophy. Reading this book is probably as close as one can get to actually spending time with Ayn Rand these days.

A Delightful Read
This memoir brings the novelist-philosopher back to life in the form of a delightful interview full of her benevolent metaphysics. It is told not with anger or mocking cynicism, but with the fond admiration that Miss Rand deserves. Whether you just want to know more about Ayn Rand the person, or whether you want to feel the joy of Ayn Rand's presence, this is your book.

Ayn Rand is brought to life in "Facets."
To put it simply, this is is a touching memoir of Ayn Rand by those who shared her friendship. The accounts of daily conversations and habits of Miss Rand add a depth of humanity to her image and give new insight into what an incredible human being she was. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading and often found myself laughing or smiling from the sheer pleasure of contemplating such an incredible individual. ... Read more

Book Description

After Daniel Hays and his father built a twenty-five-foot boat and sailed it around Cape Horn, he thought he'd finally put his wanderlust to rest. He went back to school, bought a house, took a job, got married.

But as it turned out, in the real world Daniel Hays felt lost. So he took his love for the sea and his need to escape civilization and pushed it further: he bought an island off the coast of Nova Scotia; built a tiny house; packed up his wife and stepson, two dogs, and three boatloads of supplies; and moved there.

This is the story of fulfilling a fantasy: to live by your own rules and your own wits. And Daniel Hays, as readers of My Old Man and the Sea will remember, is well equipped to do both. He generates electricity from solar power and a terrifying windmill, funnels rainwater for their showers, creates a toilet seat out of a whale vertebra, strings their bed up on pulleys so that by day it can be lifted out of the way. For him, every morning is a wonder and every storm a blood-coursing thrill.

But while Daniel loves this permanent boy's life, his wife longs for the life they left behind, and his spirited stepson is feeling isolated. Soon, their Swiss Family Robinson existence becomes a vision only Daniel can see.Funny, tender, and fascinating, filled with the details of an unconventional life, this is the story of how the Hays family lived on Whale Island, and how, finally, they had to leave. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Beautifully written, warm & witty story...
I LOVED this book! So few memoirists are able to write completely honestly, instead usually holding up some kind of complimentary or tidying prism on the experience with the effect of sanitizing and fictionalizing the end result ... not so here. I am actually surprised at a couple of the other reviewers' comments...misogynist? Just because he's honest enough to look at how he and his wife respond differently to the same situation? And anyone who lives with dogs will laugh out loud at Dan's detailed descriptions of some of the drawbacks of living in close quarters with them - and yes we love them but it can get disgusting. I think in a way it was as brave of Dan to choose to live in close quarters with his family on an island for a year - without the buffer of modern comforts - as it must have been to round Cape Horn in a sailboat. Anyway, anyone who likes to read about family, dogs or is interested in one person's examination of his attempt to get closer to an honest life experience by escaping the mainland should read this.

A Nice Read
Dan Hays captured the spirit of Whale Island very well. As someone who appreciates the nature writing genre, I was impressed by his graphic descriptions of the scenery and of events as they unfolded. Maybe the biggest compliment of all is that it rarely dawned on me that Dan Hays was working on the book each day, as the story unfolded; in other words, I became entirely engrossed in the story of a small family living their lives on an island off the Canadian coast.

Dan Hays might also be recognized for his honesty. I appreciated the way -- both positive and negative -- that he let himself, his wife and his son come through. All this adds up, in my mind, to a very realistic and engaging story.

Couldn't put it down.
On Whale Island is my top pick of books read for the year. Neither my husband or I could put it down. Boldly honest and pee your pants funny, the book lived a fantasy that I've had in my heart for as long as I can remember. But beyond all the humor, the book raises the big questions about how we choose to live our lives. This book's a keeper and one to be reread.

I did not want it to end.....
It was as if he was in the room with us. We listened to Daniel Hays read from On Whale Island and it mesmerized us! We smiled, we cried and nearly pee'd in our pants at the stories he told. Stories about his brave adventure on a deserted island with his small family. I personally loved it so much because they did what I always wanted to do. Throw off convention, wake up and go 'out there'.
Told with honesty, humor and tenderness. I did not want it to end!

A well written story, but....
Hays writes an engaging story but I don't think I'd want to know the guy. The book tends to pitch a back-to-nature lifestyle but that's not really what they experienced. It was more like a vacation. Although the effort to maintain shelter took plenty of time and energy, apparently most food and all the clothing came from the store. The vacation ended, like many do, when the money ran out. There's not enough economic activity ---hunting, fishing, farming, weaving, writing or whatever, to sustain the family.

He's pretty much self-absorbed. Does he care about other people except as they impact him? I'm always a little offended when someone begins any statement with "A man believes, needs, thinks, etc." The world is full of people with ideas good and bad. Those opinions are not determined by gender nor is their validity. ... Read more

Book Description

This memoir chronicles the Grateful Dead's seminal years: 1965-1985. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

More Dead, not as much Garcia
I've read a ton of books on the Dead and this is my favorite so far in that it's more about the band than Garcia. Granted, there's a lot more about Garcia, but it's not as bad as some of the other books. I was thinking that I'd love to see a book written by Donna -- or any of the other members of the Dead. Hell, a quick essay by Tom Constantine would be great too! Scully tends to write more about the party atmosphere of the Grateful Dead. Great anecdotes and personal stories that you don't really find anywhere else. Things like "The Bobby Problem" had me giggling as I read... it's funny and chock full of good info. I definitely recommend it. The only thing this book is missing is more discussion of the music. Blair Jackson's "Garcia" handles this better, but there's still room for improvement. Overall, I've loved reading this book. A real pleasure for any fan of the Dead

Embellished
Although I don't doubt the extent of some of the issues discussed in this book (ie, the moral decay from sex, drugs and rock and roll), clearly it's very subjective and has a rash or two of self indulgent embellishment. According to Scully, Jerry is the musical genius who captained the good ship Grateful Dead, while the rest of the unworthy (in particular Bob, who apparently still to this day doesn't know basic cord changes let alone how to tune his guitar) merely sat on his coattails and enjoyed the trip. Of most interest is Scully's apparent ability to relay pages of quoted, and quite critical, dialogue from over thirty-five years, most of which were spent in self induced medicated states. I don't know about you, but most days I have trouble remembering what I had for lunch yesterday, let alone conversations I had in my younger days while drinking "funny Kool Aid" (unless of course he was writing everything down).

cold
Cold heartless writing. Does not capture the heart, soul, spirituality surrounding the Grateful Dead. Unenlightened author who did not get it, in spite of being there all those years.

Enjoyable but not accurate
A number of Scully's historical facts are inaccurate, which struck me as odd since he claims to have had the manuscript proofed by Blair Jackson. Perhaps Jackson's memory is not so good either! I found the sordid tales of My Favorite Band very entertaining, but remember to take them with a grain of salt. And be wary of Cash Cow reviewers who claim to have worked for the band but cannot spell their names, or much else, correctly.

CASH COW
I wo