Book Description

Now, drawing on hundreds of interviews and previously untapped sources, the author gives a hair-raising account of the trumpeter's dark journey. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Pityfull mr.gavin .
Ooooooo, mr.gavin, if you can reach 1/10000000000000000000, glory and popularity, and geniousity, of Mr. CHET BAKER.

Better listen Chet`s, music and be quiet please!!

For musicians and non-musicians alike
My wife and I finished "Deep in a Dream" this month and found it extremely insightful and engaging.As a musician, I was fascinated to learn the extent to which Chet's talent was unschooled; and my wife, who is a non-musician but a big Chet fan, was struck by the contrast between Chet's life and his art.Some of the stories, like the Italian trial and the pharmacy arson, made me shake my head in disbelief.

Living Drama.
They say that the key element in engrossing drama is a main character with a tragic flaw. Chet Baker, it seems, had that - his inability (or lack of motivation) to care about anything (including consequences). At least, that seems to be Mr. Gavin's take in this gripping and unfinching tale of jazz trumpeter turned ravenous junkie, Chet Baker. From his early days that saw an overly doting mother to the many loves in Baker's life that played more the role of a mom than a lover, Chet Baker is portrayed (probably correctly) as a wrecklessly detached, yet childlike, soul all too content to drift through life letting others clean up increasingly heinous messes.

As other reviewers have noted, this book is not a pretty read. For me, I recall many evenings where I couldn't pry myself away from these pages, yet hardly "wanted" to continue reading. (The former emotion always won out!) We see a junkie, an egocentrist, a master trumpeter, an inveterate manipulator, and - somehow - even a childlike innocent who we never cease, in some way, to feel at least some compassion for (and in some sense, that was part of Baker's ease of manipulation). And Mr. Gavin's well-written biography gives us a front row seat to it all!

Now, I've never been one to assume that in order to 'understand' a musician, one does best to know their history. But it is hard for me to imagine that I will ever be able to listen to one of Baker's glossy ballads in exactly the same way again, now knowing about the torturous life that his notes belie. And if you are a Baker fan (I have to imagine that if you are here, you are) no doubt the book will do the same to you.

To close, I must reiterate that this is a wildly engrossing book that reads as much like fiction as a biography can. Baker's life, of course, is as intriguing and multidiminsional as any novelist could write. James Gavin obviously did his homework (as at very least evidenced by the huge list of sources and notes). Though certainly not for the faint of heart, Gavin's book should be a valuable addition to any fan's library.

A musical narcissist
This is an excellent book on Chet Baker--I found it very interesting and a very engaging read.

I feel Mr. Gavin does an incredible job balancing the musical career and personal life of Chet, extensively discussing both his meteoric rise--and his quick descent into the hell of heroin addiction.

Themystique of Chet Baker and public is well addressed, and ties in very well with how he used his talent, fame, looks and charm to personally exploit almost every person he ever came in contact with.This book is an excellent case study of the narcissist--and the numerous victims these people leave in their wake. It really makes you feel sorry for the women and children he left behind--individuals who will be forever scarred by their relationship with this man.Unfortunately their is a stark contrast between his musical and personal legacy. No one who came in contact with this Chet came away unscathed.The huge gap between the public image of the angelic-looking trumpetist--and the evil reality of this man--speaks to the power of his magnetism and muscial talent.

The Chet Baker Study...
A tortured soul, living a hell in a wasteland, howling and desolate, junked up, paranoid, insecure, with the one goal most if not every junky ascribes to...getting the next dose.Did you ever wonder what makes people like the Baker or the Charley Parker , Kurt Cobain or Bix Beiderbeck reach down to the bottom when they have so much to offer.Jaco Pastorius too and Jerry Garcia could have also been lumped into this terrible category.Yet, we as humans are fascinated by this lifestyle and glamorize the "stars" and talents. But do those same people find their life glamorous?Or, are a few of those stars and talents incomplete, seeking, never satisfied, bored, living on some sort of edge which leads them into a self destructive lifestyle.I've read a number of books about musicians who have self-destructed, perhaps I hold a perverse fascination with the phenomena and I can't explain why.As a musician for over 40 years I have always admired the musicianship of the greats like Beiderbeck or Getz or Baker or Pepper, Pastorius and many more, but could never understand the penchant for killing themselves through extreme substance abuse.What were they missing in life, which left them so unfulfilled? ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (20)

Wagner, from leftist revolutionary to world-rejecting mystic
Before picking up this book, I had Wagner pegged as a proto-Nazi. This was not based on any investigation, I just absorbed it somehow, and took it for granted. Imagine my surprise, then, to learn that Wagner was a hotheaded anarchist revolutionary as a young man, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Bakunin as a leader of the 1848 uprising in Dresden! This part of Magee's book is just the prelude to his real topic, Wagner's later turn to the philosophy of Schopenhauer, but I enjoyed it tremendously. Like many before and since, Wagner became disillusioned as he reached middle age. Whereas he had developed an elaborate philosophical and aesthetic theory about revolutionizing human relations, based on Fuerbach among others, he read Schopenhauer and had an epiphany. One of the most fascinating aspects of this is that he was only partially through composing "The Ring" -- the libretto was complete, but not the music. He stopped in the middle of "Siegfried," wrote "Tristan und Isolde" in a Schopenhauerian frenzy, went on to write "The Mastersingers," and only then returned to finish the music for "Siegfried" and then "Gotterdammerung." So the story of the "The Ring" reflects an anarchist revolutionary vision, far from any proto-Nazi sentiments! "Parsifal," often taken for a Christian work, is not Christian per se, but rather Schopenhauerian -- Wagner used Christian mythic imagery just as he used "pagan" mythic imagery in The Ring.

If you have only the received view of Wagner, prepare for a journey of discovery. Magee's writing is smooth and easy, and the nearly 400 pages read as if only half that. My only minor complaint is that Magee proclaims at regular intervals that Wagner is one of history's greatest geniuses, alongside Shakespeare and Mozart. I have only heard a small sample of Wagner's music, and I am as of yet far from convinced of that, but for the first time I'm ready to give Wagner a fair hearing!

Wagner- One, Two, Three
This book, 380 pages in length, is a perfect book for those people who love Wagnerian operas and want to learn more without having to plough through a heavy tome which 9 out of 10 readers never finish. The author, Bryan Magee, intelligently wites to the lay reader. His explanation of philosophers such as Nietzche, Hegel, Marx, Schopenhauer and others who helped form Wagner's thinking, is easy to follow and brilliantly shows how Wagner developed and merged philosophy and music. Wagner changed music. One cannot recommend this book more highly to those interested in learning what made one of the great composers tick and how he is often misunderstood. It is a treasure trove of information and is well laid out. A great read. Bravo, Mr. Magee.

Wagner: Not a Proto-Nazi
One of the most brilliantly argued defenses of Richard Wagner I've ever come across. The genius composer is not the proto-Nazi that many make him out to be (having hobnobbed with Bakunin, Proudhon and other anarchists early on in his career) The author sets out to show that the philosophers Kant and Schoepenhauer had a profound influence on Wagner's music, esp, the Ring and Tristan and Isolde operas. I commend this author for his courage in defending one of the greatest composers of all time. May all PC hacks wither away and die in Wagner's eternal genius light. (...)

Aesthetic states...
I read this at the same time as J. Kholer's Wagner's Hitler (q.v.) and the result was partial dialectical collision. It is difficult to know how to take Wagner in the midst of so much revisionist detective work. But Magee's book is, in the realm of pure Wagner limbo, a splendidly done piece which shows Wagner to be one of the most complex and significant figures of the nineteenth century. This is not the same as the usual oulala about genius since Wagner and Nietzsche both did a lot of bungled work, among them fixing culturally inadequate views of tragedy. They both failed their own tests, and if you can't figure out the essence of Greek tragedy you can end up in the middle of one yourself. Worth keeping in mind in the tiresome eulogies of these two failures of genius. What a waste.
As a musical peon in the Verdi bleachers with the old rotten cabbage in reserve I can do without hagiographies of this period, but find the subject interesting in a different way. With the Marx brothers A Night At The Opera under one's belt maybe the right methodology to deal with all this is at hand: this complete shambles is important!
Thus it is worth looking at a book such as Josef Chytry's The Aesthetic State for a history of the context of attempts to produce a tragic theatre, and/or the Gesantkuntswerk that Wagner so heroically pursued. But in the context of the overall history which starts with the ancient Greeks the question (which haunted Hegel) is why modern society simply can't match that great other chord of the 'aesthetic state' proceeding from Homer to Euripides. Here Wagner, good or bad, fails his own test, but is the most remarkable self-appointed guinea pig putting the whole issue to a test. It is hard to believe a man of such talents and heroic endeavors could be so unlucky as to fall into the whole occult shebant leading into the emergence of the lunatic far right. Watching him fail is significant in itself, especially next to the stupefying things he manage to accomplish in the process.
But in the final analysis, Wagner was coopted by the society he was and we see a great success in the middle of a great fiasco.
Anyway, Magee's book is a really good snapshot of Wagner. It is good to see the bright side first in trying to get the riddle of Wagner straight.

Essential Reading for Any Wagner Lover
The Tristan Chord is a brilliant exploration of the evolutionary nexus between Wagner's political and philosophical beliefs, and the momunental works of art he created. For me the finest part of the book is the very detailed examination of the philosophy of Schopenhauer and it's extraordinary impact on the composer. To be able to write on such a complex subject and to do it in such a completely compelling and readable way is an amazing achievement. Essential reading for a deepening understanding of Wagner's oeuvre. ... Read more

Book Description

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear,
And he shows them pearly white.
Just a jackknife has Macheath, dear,
And he keeps it out of sight.

The words are by Bertolt Brecht. The music is by Kurt Weill. The song is “Mack the Knife,” the number-one song of Weill’s internationally famous Threepenny Opera, originally performed on a stage in the Weimar Berlin of 1928. Its tough, sexy sound became, a quarter-century later, a signature song of America’s greatest recording stars, among them Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

And when in 1933 Weill, already Germany’s most renowned composer, fled the Nazis to come to America (“For every age there is a place about which fantasies are written. In Mozart’s time it was Turkey. For Shakespeare, it was Italy. For us in Germany, it was always America”), he joined his appetite for the United States to his European roots and classical training and soon became one of the most admired composers of the American musical stage.

He wrote one successful Broadway show after another—Lady in the Dark, Knickerbocker Holiday, One Touch of Venus, Street Scene, Lost in the Stars, among others. He worked with such theatrical greats as Gertrude Lawrence, Ira Gershwin, Maxwell Anderson, Mary Martin, Agnes de Mille, Joshua Logan, Ogden Nash, Harold Clurman, Walter Huston, E. Y. Harburg, and Elia Kazan. Always at the center of his life was his great love of thirty years, his leading lady, interpreter of his music, his wife (they were divorced in Berlin in 1933 but remarried four years later in America), the actress-singer Lotte Lenya.

Foster Hirsch, using Weill’s letters, journals, and notes, and interviewing Weill’s friends and colleagues, writes about his life, his experimental, political composing in Germany, his Broadway music in America—both aspects of his work being a source of controversy among music lovers for years. Lotte Lenya said, “There is no American Weill, there is no German Weill. There is no difference between them. There is only Weill.” Hirsch details the writing, casting, and production of Weill’s eleven hit shows. He writes about Weill’s years in Hollywood and the friends he made and lost along the way. He evokes Weill’s complicated, intense collaborations with Brecht, Maxwell Anderson, Langston Hughes, Alan Jay Lerner, Elmer Rice, Moss Hart, and Ira Gershwin.

In Kurt Weill on Stage, Hirsch has given us a vivid portrayal of a remarkable artist and a fabulous era of American musical theater. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Biography that focuses on Weill's enitre career
Too often, scholarly work on Kurt Weill focuses mainly on his German career in the 1920s-- "The Threepenny Opera," "Mahagonny"-- but Weill had a career that extended well into the 1940s as a Broadway composer, and Hirsch's book explores both aspects, although it is clear he's a fan of Weill's later American work.

I would recommend this book as a suppliment to Ronald Sanders' biography "The Days Grow Short," the standard of Weill biographies. However, Hirsch has access to different primary sources that Sanders did not have in the 1970s, and therefore can provide a different perspective. There is also a great deal of text devoted to Lotte Lenya, Weill's wife.

It has been criticzed that Hirsch's book deemphasizes musical analysis, which is true, but that is not the purpose. Analyse the music yourself or find the writings of Kim Kowalke for musical analysis.

I found this book enjoyable and a good supplient to many other Weill biographies on the shelves ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (8)

Backstreet Mom
This is pathetic! WASTE OF MONEY; out of over 200 pages, only 9 are related to A.J.'s actual drug intervention and treatment. Mostly just about Mommy Dearest and how hard she worked for A.J. DON'T BUY IT....

Backstreet Mom...
This book is fantastic, its a real eye opener, ITS A MUST READ AND IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!1

Awesome
Since I want to become a singer as well as my group, (We're kind of like the Backstreet Boys - just girls) this book helped me realize that not even BSB got it handed to them. They worked their asses off to get to where they are today and deserve every bit of it. They don't get as much credit as they should. And to find out that really they were almost flat broke until they parted from Lou. All that work and they were getting nothing.

It's really just a good book that gives you an inside look at AJ's stuggles, fun times, and how he grew up. I really liked the first couple of chapters when it talked about when he was a a baby and his real father was still around. Awesome read.

A great book from many different angles
This book is an insightful view into the evolution of one of history's biggest vocal groups, and particularly the effects of their phenomenal fame on member AJ McLean. Because it's written by his mother and with his support, it is not the tabloid garbage that many of these books are. But rather it's an inside look at the ups and downs of the music business, as well as a candid story of one man's struggle with inner demons, addiction, and recovery. A great read for those interested in the industry, as well as those dealing with their own addiction or someone else's.

Must Have If You Love BSB or AJ!!
This book, is all that i thought it would be and more. This book should be read by those who are going through rehab, have a family member in rehab or if you just love AJ. Dennis McLean, brings her sons whole ordeal and more, into focus and gives as a peek into what it would be like to be in his shoes. Any one would be crazy to NOT read it. You will have a new found respect for single parents, thos in rehab and just life itself. ... Read more

Book Description

Crises in the life of Gustav Mahler inspired some of his greatest works—but eventually led to an early death

The life of the brilliant composer and conductor Gustav Mahler was punctuated by crisis. His parents both died in 1889, leaving him the reluctant head of a household of siblings. He himself endured a nearly fatal medical ordeal in 1901. A beloved daughter died in 1907 and that same year, under pressure, Mahler resigned from the directorship of the Vienna Opera. In each case Mahler more than mastered the trauma; he triumphed in the creation of new major musical works.

The final crisis of Mahler’s career occurred in 1910, when he learned that his wife, Alma, was having an affair with the architect Walter Gropius. The revelation precipitated a breakdown while Mahler was working on his Tenth Symphony. The anguished, suicidal notes Mahler scrawled across the manuscript of the unfinished symphony revealed his troubled state. A four-hour consultation with Sigmund Freud in Leiden, Holland, restored the composer’s equilibrium. Although Mahler left little record of what transpired in Leiden, Stuart Feder has reconstructed the encounter on the basis of surviving evidence. The cumulative stresses of the crises in Mahler’s life, in particular Alma’s betrayal, left him physically and emotionally vulnerable. He became ill and died soon after in 1911.

At once a sophisticated consideration of Mahler’s work and a psychologically acute portrait of the life events that shaped it, this book extends our thinking about one of the great masters of modern music.



Stuart Feder is clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and attending psychiatrist at Beth Israel Hospital in New York. He is also on the faculties of The New York Psychoanalytic Institute and The Juilliard School in New York.

... Read more

Reviews (4)

Straight from the master's mouth
I'm a great fan of autobiography. Granted, often it is sanitized and self-serving, but there's nothing like hearing a person tell their own life, especially if the life is as important as this one. Without a doubt, Duke Ellington was the century's greatest American composer and bandleader; the only ones who even come close to him (Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Cole Porter) had neither his longevity nor his variety. And none of them also maintained a working band through six decades! I own almost every recording ever released by Duke Ellington; his music has become indelibly printed on my brain. This book may not be the most accurate account of his life (if you can handle a little armchair psychology, the Collier biography is the best choice for that), but this is like sitting in a room hearing Duke talk -- and play!

Utterly Fascinating Life
Wow what a book. The best part about this book is that Duke wrote it. You get it straight from him. I recommend this book to anyone into the music.

His accounts of his younger days were what most appealed to me. He pays so much respect to the people he was surrounded by, both his family and the community of musicians. Sometimes the many names dropped can be a bit much, but that was just his style--always letting people know who helped him, who mentored him, who taught him, who he admired. There's scarcely a mean-spirited word in the whole book!

There is a lot of variety to the way he tells his stories. Sometimes its through the name dropping profiles; sometimes its through interviews reprinted for this book; sometimes its through out-and-out philosophical dissertations about music and life; sometimes it's in the midst of his endless travelling of the globe with his band.

For the musician looking for tips and advice, there's plenty of Duke wisdom provided throughout. His overall love for music and musicians is just SOOO apparent. My favorite piece of advice is that he said he learned music exclusively through oral instruction, from people in the scene who would share techniques and secrets seemingly as freely as idle conversation (how different the musical climate is these days!)

The last third or so of the book get a bit tedious for this reader. There just wasn't a lot of variety to his accounts of globetrotting and meeting all the important people in all the countries. What kept me going through these sections were the occasional gems of advice or insight, but there's more of that in the first half of the book. Thank god for the end of the book, a funny interview where the interviewer is REALLY condescending to Duke, but Duke gets through is with all the grace, wit, intelligence, and humor that makes him such a compelling person, composer, and most of all, a genius and musical mystic.

Thank the Duke for this book, and allowing us to get a glimpse of his life and all his amazing stories!

Great book showing the life and times of the great Duke
If you want to know anything at all about Duke Ellington, you can learn it in this book. Not only is it the best source in the world for info on Duke, it is masterfully written. It is one of the greatest books I've ever read, and I've read quite a bit.

The Greatest jazzman in history speaks
Written by The Duke himself, this book provides insight into the life and music of the greatest composer jazz has ever produced. If you ever wondered what Duke thought of those he played with and those he didn't; here it is in black and white. Required reading for anyone interested in the history of American music. ... Read more

Book Description

"I am both spectator and participant, objective and subjective... I am celebrating and questioning what I have known and that includes the achievements and embarrassments, the loves, the lessons, the reality and the possibility." - Kylie MinogueKylie is a vivid self-portrait of Kylie Minogue's many different personas, both public and private, as pop singer, actress, media focus, and mass cultural icon. Moving beyond autobiography, Kylie examines her iconic status, from early Neighbors appearances to gigantic music hits, and sheds light on its peculiar organic momentum. With an essay by renowned music journalist Chris Heath developed through conversations with Kylie, and with written and visual contributions from artists, photographers, musicians and designers, the book is both a celebration and an examination of this complex and well-loved figure. Contributors include, among others, Irvine Welsh, Pierre et Gilles, Wolfgang Tillmans, Sam Taylor Wood, Vivienne Westwood, Nick Cave and Ellen von Unwerth. Designed by Farrow Design."[Kylie is] cool enough to embrace the freakier manifestations of her iconic status with ease."

- Irvine Welsh"Simply she is divine - and multi-talented." - Elton JohnEmbossed Hardback with slipcase; 10 x 15", 200 full color images ... Read more

Reviews (14)

like madonna's "sex" book, "kylie" is an amazing art book
This beautiful, 5 pound art book is a treasure for the kylie connisour.

This stunning array of images with some very tasteful NUDES visually maps out the many transformations Kylie has undergone at the hands of stylists, artists and photographers.

In addition to photographs there are beautiful illustrations and video "grabs", even a life-size Kylie photocopy. Kylie give us Kylie at her coyest, at her most naked.

Hot pink-clad book comes in a sturdy, full color 10 inch x 15 inch slipcase cover

Boring front cover.
The cover put me off right away, it's very boring. Not alot of thought went into the design of the book. contains many wacky and silly poems about "kylie" for some reason, and hardly any contribution by Kylie. seems like a vanity project took too far. I was relatively a new kylie fan until saw this book, but the pics and writing is off putting, it seems so fake. I wonder how much Kylie payed these people to write such nonsense about her??

Pointless.
Don't get this book! it's pointless and screams "ego trip" right the way through, what IS the point of Kylie exactly??? what was the point of doing this book??? what WAS Kylie thinking???? it doesn't give you any answers, questions I asked myself when reading it. I thought doing something as self-indulgent as this would be the last thing Ms Minogue would have to do, but it looks like an obvious attempt by Ms minogue to reinstate to the general public (who don't give a damn actually!) her "powerful influence" and importance and significance to society, just in case we might have forgotten....we don't really need any reminding thank you very much Kylie!...Perhaps we did because Kylie's career seemed to be very much down the dumper at this stage.....The book just made me sick! to think lots of trees were cut down to make this!!!!......
It's a sad attempt...Poor old Kylie!....It just makes her look desperate! it's very self-indulgent, personally I found this book rather funny to look at in places just for the incredibly tacky pictures and prose.....
and other pointless things that make up the majority of this incredibly tacky thrown together project....at the time I can see why it may have seemed a good idea to Kylie and her team, but in later years I think it will only serve as an embarrasing non-event like most things in her career, even her latest book La La La was better, it had a point to it at least! there's not much contributed by Kylie herself in this book seeing as it's a book centred all around her. It's also rudely (and distastefully!) crude in places, (The picture of kylie sitting on a toilet with her panties around her ankles looking at pictures of male and female genitals!???) something I find a bit of a double standard when fans of Kylie point the finger at Madonna for doing the Sex book (which was miles better by the way! - maybe that's the reason for all the bitchiness????).....This Kylie "Evidence" book is only for the fans! so if you're a fan, spend another ridiculous amount of cash on her to complete your absurd growing collection and only share it with other Kylie fanatics when they come around for tea. You know what they all say about Star Trek fans.

Personal approach
This is a fantastic book, showing the many lives of Kylie, the pop princess of the world. This book shows the many periods of Kylie's life. Including photos, paintings, magazine covers, and personal Kylie stuff. All Kylie fans, like me, SHOULD have this book!!!!!!!

Kylie!!!!!
I love Kylie and have been a fan since The Locomotion. I have always seen as the-girl-next-door-type, fun-loving, good girl. I like the cutesy photos in this book but some of the photos of a sexual nature i didnt like. But they are nowhere near as bad as what was in [other] Sex book. THANK GOODNESS!!!! I guess that's just the prude in me though. Overall, it's a fun book with some great photos of her and neat packaging too. ... Read more

Book Description

"Ms. Simone's vocal and piano style make her a culture unto herself." --New York Times

A gorgeous, inimitable singer and songwriter, Nina Simone (1933-2003) changed the face of both music and race relations in America. She struck a chord with bluesy jazz ballads like "Put a Little Sugar in My Bowl" and powerful protest songs such as "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black," the anthem of the American Civil Rights movement. Coinciding with the re-release of her famous Philips Recordings, here are the reflections of the "High Priestess of Soul" on her own life.

The mesmerizing autobiography of one of the most revered soul, jazz, and blues divas of our time-the late Nina Simone. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Nina Simone is great, but this book needed more work
Nina Simone is a great artist with a compelling story to tell. Unfortunately, little of that story comes across in this book. Ms. Simone shares all sorts of details about her lovers, but very little about her music. There is almost nothing in the book about her recording sessions or why she sings particular songs the way she does. While Ms. Simone is very frank about her personal life, I would have liked to have learned more about her music. The book is also confusing because Ms. Simone will spend many pages on just a few days, and then entire years will be dismissed by a sentence or two. Ms. Simone's collaborator should have edited the book better and drawn out more music-related stories from her.

informative
I have enjoyed much of Nina Simone's music that I've been exposed to. I was anxious do read the story behind the singer/pianist. This was a good, brief account of her life and times. Going from a promising start as a classical pianist in the U.S. South to international fame as a singer, Simone saw and experienced a lot of things. The people she knew as friends/lovers seemed to be the elites in their fields. Her work shows that she sought perfection, but also had some insecurities. Many stemmed from the desire of her religious mother's approval. I wish her continued success because her music has made an impression on me.

I LOVE this book
This is a most fabulous book! I could not put it down! It's a fascinating account of Nina's life.....which is never a dull moment. Lots of incredible insight into what it's like to be a performer. Beautifully written, as though she's in the room with you, telling you her own story. Nina was such an amazing person, and there is so much depth in this book. I highly recommend this book....I can't say enough. If you love Nina, if you love autobiographies.....this is THE book!

Nina Simone writes about lovers, not music or her life
It's a sad commentary that Nina Simone wrote such a meaningless book in 1991. I couldn't wait to purchase it after it was released, yet I kept asking myself why she wrote it and who this woman really was. Besides being an interesting interpretor of jazz classics and folk songs, and well known for her ascerbic manner onstage and off, it would have been more thrilling to read about Simone as an artist, not the fact that she basically slept with every man that ever asked her. I felt a bit short changed by her writing...although most of it was no doubt ghostwritten, Nina Simone shows no real interest in music, instead considering jazz an afterthought in her career. She never goes into any details about her life except to blame her husband Andy Stroud for mismanaging her career, America for not giving her a chance, Curtis Institute of music for not accepting her application to study there, and the list goes on...if it were interesting reading, it might be ok. Still, most of this book is not well written at all...it is quite amateurish, and often boring...even the discography included at the back is lack luster..Nina Simone was so well associated with the Civil Rights Movement, yet you get no real feeling or emotion from her words, After reading the book, I continued to buy and listen to her music, but my respect for her is lacking. It's a shame that Nina Simone didn't realize her potential, but there were many artists worse off than Nina Simone, and I for one think she owes a great debt to the US for giving her success and the opportunity to succeed.

In Memoriam
In Memoriam of Nina Simone, the great singer, pianist, composer, arranger, songwriter, feminist, activist, mother and woman.

Nina was born in North Carolina, USA, February 21, 1933.

Although Nina was called the "High Priestess of Soul" by her fans and was regarded by them as an almost religious figure, she was often misunderstood as well. The High Priestess would walk different paths to find the adequate songs to spread her message.

A protest singer; a jazz singer; a pianist; an arranger and a composer, Nina Simone is a great artist who defies easy classification. She is all of these: a jazz-rock-pop-folk-black musician. In fact, we can find her biography in jazz, rock, pop, black and soul literature. Her style and her hits provided many singers and groups with material for hits of their own.

Nina Simone passed away on April 21, 2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, France. She was Aged 70.

She is survived by her daughter and will be forever missed - yet forever treasured.

May our high priestess find her path to peace. ... Read more

Book Description

John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham was the godfather of hard rock drumming - and he remains an idol to legions of Led Zeppelin and heavy metal fans worldwide. Although Bonham had to be courted away from more lucrative offers, he joined the newly formed band in 1968, helping guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant create such famous songs as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Kashmir" until his sudden death in 1980 at the age of 32. His unmistakable drum patterns are among the most emulated and sampled by todayÕs rock drummers. This book is the first biography focusing on Bonham, providing a detailed track-by-track analysis of his greatest recordings, 45 color photos, and the most detailed and accurate inventory ever of BonhamÕs drum kits and percussion equipment. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

a big disappointment
I had high hopes for this book. I have been a John Bonham fan since I was a kid. He was the reason I wanted to learn to play the drums. This book falls short by skating over many of the Led Zeppelin years. I have read both 'Hammer of the Gods' and 'Stairway to Heaven' and I had high hopes that this book would be as good as those, but just focused more on Bonzo than the whole band. Unfortunately, this book just doesn't cut it as a biography. It's got some neat photos and the analysis of Bonham's playing and his drum setups are great, but the rest of the book is more like a high school term paper. The authors should read 'Stevie Ray Vaughan: Caught in The Crossfire' by Joe Nick Patoski and Bill Crawford for clues about how to write a biography, then try again to write a Bonham biography. The Led Zeppelin DVD is a FAR better investment than this book.

A Good Place to Start
It's nice to finally see a book that focuses on Zeppelin's secret weapon, Bonzo. Not only was he one of the greatest ever, his drum SOUND was without parallel. Reading about how he tuned his drums and other information about he got that sound was invaluable. Like another reviewer stated, too much time was spent on his pre-Zep days, and not enough as part of Hammer of the Gods era. The last chapter, with individual tracks explained was great, but it also have been nice to see some transcriptions of some of his amazing fills, etc. If you buy this book, you also owe it to yourself to buy the new Zeppelin DVD, which allows to see Bonzo in action in a serious way for the first time (it's light years better than "The Song Remains the Same."). If you do want to know where John's greatness came from, this book is a good place to start.

A Book for any Drummer
Obviously the best rock drummer of all time, the book includes ample information about Bonham's personal life, as well as his professional side and even his tricks of the trade.

The book is a clinic for rock drummers. Bonzo and others who worked with him, discuss how he tuned his drums, what drums he used and why, what to do and not to do about drumskins, and more.

The book also contains some remarkable color photos of the band on stage. With their dazzling light show, the photos suggest what it might have been like.

But what I can't understand is this. The book says that Bonham "drank vodka out of a bottle like water". Someone that far gone obviously needs help. With all of the people around him, did anyone try to organize a posse to get him some help?

Bonzo's alcoholizm even got to the point of interfering with rehearsals and shows, and soon after, ending his life. Did they all think they were invincible? Robert Plant's experiences in near previous years should have taught not. What a waste of an incredibly gifted musician, and a human being.

One Huge Blunder
OK, I love John Bonham, but the authors stated he died when he was 31, CORRECTION!! He died when he was 32! Do some more researh before you try to write a book...

bonzo
This book was great for 2 reasons its biographical, and drummer friendly. I would no suggest it to any zep fans for it drum terminaliogies. But if you are a drummer or a fan o the great bonzo go for it. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a comprehensive guide to research on the American composer Elliott Carter (b. 1908), widely acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. It contains a chronology, complete list of works, detailed discography, and fully annotated bibliography of over 1,000 books, articles, interviews, video recordings, and Carter's own writings. This essential reference book covers the most significant works in English, French, German, and Italian, from the 1940s-when Carter's music first began to attract attention-to the 1990s. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Info from the author
I've set up a page on my web site with errata and addenda for Elliott Carter: A Guide to Research. If you spot any errors or have an Elliott Carter source you'd like to add, please drop by www.wpunj.edu/coac/music/link/ecgrerrata.html. Thanks! ... Read more

Book Description

He is "The Man in Black." Country music legend. The "quintessential American troubadour." An icon of rugged individualism, who's been to hell and back, and tells the tale as never before. In this unforgettable autobiography, Johnny Cash talks straight about the highs and lows, the struggles and hard-won triumphs, and the people who have shaped him.

In his own words, Cash sets the record straight--and dispels a few myths--as he looks unsparingly at his remarkable life: from his turbulent past to the joys of the present to his plans down the road. Here, too, are the friends of a lifetime, including Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Dr. Billy Graham. As powerful and memorable as one of his classic songs, Cash is filled with the candor, wit, and wisdom of a man who has truly "walked the line."

"Engaging.... Written with honesty and spiritual insight.... Cash's stories and strength shine."
--Chicago Sun-Times

"Insightful, relaxed, and conversational.... The stories sing."
--New York Times Book Review

"Gives a feel for what it might be like to spend some time with him.... Cash is a good storyteller.... Fascinating.... Rich anecdotes.... Interesting observations.... Any Cash fan with find a lot here to enjoy."
--Boston Globe

"Cash has always been cool."
--Country Music magazine

With 16-pages of never-before-seen photos ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A "Must Have" for Cash fans!
I bought the book mostly out of curiosity about the "Man in Black" as he was always known to me. I grew up listening to Johnny's music, but in my teens, went my own way into the realm of heavy metal and other types of rock music. I came back to country music in my 30's and realized that the artists there really aren't much different from those I idolized as a teen...that's to say they all have their demons. Johnny Cash was one of those country singers that made quite an impression on me as a kid...I don't really know what it was about him, but I always liked and remembered his music and songs. This book brought it all together for me in the sense that he is very upfront about his particular demons and the fact that even as a man in his late 60's(his age when he wrote this book)he still faced down his demons every waking day. Johnny Cash lived a hard life and he tells his life in this book. The Man in Black will be sorely missed in the anals of the music world, as well as in the hearts of those who loved & admired him!

Cash: The Autobiography
Johnny Cash or the "Man in Black" was one of the most influential artists, period. He is the only musician in history to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter's Country Music. His second autobiography gives you an in depth look at his start at Sun Records and being on the road with other legends like Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, the tragic death of his older brother Jack when Cash was only twelve, and living on Cinnamon Hill in Jamaica.
My favorite thing about Cash's book was the beginning when he talked about his humble beginnings in Arkansas picking cotton with his family, and his spiritual journey which saved him from his addiction to amphetamines early in his career. His autobiography shows you all the sides to the "man in black" good and bad, from his attempt to kill himself to being robbed on Christmas Day on Cinnamon Hill in Jamaica. He was a true artist who didn't stop growing musically even in his last months.
It's unlikely you'll find anything to not like about this book. With his tragic death last year his autobiography is a great way to remember the man in black; it gives you a greater appreciation for what he did for music. When I first began reading this book I didn't know much about his early life or career and soon I couldn't put it down. The book helps give you a better perspective on the man who broke all the rules with no apologies. With the help of Patrick Carr, Cash tells you his story as if he's right there telling it to you personally, intermingling life on the road and the loss of family and friends along the way. Cash's influence on music will be felt by everyone for decades to come.

He gave everything he had and now he's gone...
Cash was even larger than the life he led.I saw him live several times over his long career .The first time in Montreal with the Statler Brothers in 69;as well as numerous times on TV.The one thing I found was that he remained the same person throughout those years.As much as you thought you knew about him,there was always something new to learn.He was not one to think he was better than someone else.Despite his greatness,he possessed even greater humility ;particularly to his God,his family and to everything around him.This book really shows how much he loved everything;be it his faith,family,June,band members,homes,books,music,fishing,Rover,being on the road and with his fans or even his time alone ;these things meant so much to him,but in the end he always knew everything was temporary and none of all this swallowed him up.He believed ,that as much as he was given in this life,there was much more waiting for him in eternity.It's often said that it must be hard for the rich and famous to die and leave it all behind.Cash would not have subscribed to that thinking.This is why his fans always felt he gave them so much and why they loved him so much.
Cash was one of the icons of the music world,and one of my favorites.I just wish I had the opportunity to thank him in person;but I know what he would have said."You are very welcome,I'm glad you enjoyed it and the pleasure was all mine"
Sure we'll all miss him,we had him for a long time,but he gave us so much and thanks to all his recordings,we still can listen to his songs.The photo on the back of the book,showing him dressed in black,walking away with his guitar,tells it all.He came,he gave it his all,now he's gone.
Thanks,John,we're going to miss you.
I highly recommend this book,no matter how much you know about Cash.Reading it was like a short visit with him.

makes you smile
If you like the Man in Black, you'll like this book. That's it, simple as that. It seems almost stream of consciousness in places, like you're on his porch with him and he's just telling you stories. Nothing earth-shattering, but some words of wisdom and no apologies.

Great stories from a great man
For most of my life I knew Johnny Cash solely as the old country music that my dad used to play on the record player. When I saw the video for "Hurt" (by Nine Inch Nails, a band I've listened to since fourth grade), I immediately latched on to Cash and the sense of gravity that he could convey. Knowing nothing of his life made this book even more interesting that it would have been had I known a lot. Cash is a natural storyteller, and many of his tales involve people now considered to be legends. However, it is Johnny's spiritual journey up from amphetamine addiction that makes this book so powerful. Even though I myself have never experienced faith like Cash has, I have immense respect for a man with such conviction. The world lost an amazing man last year, and this book is a great way to remember him. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the book for lovers of Motown! Author and Motown historian Bill Dahl has expertly compiled this comprehensive guide to the musical combination of pop and gospel, known as Motown.

This new compilation features an A-to-Z listing and biography of nearly every Motown group since its beginning in 1959. Also included are never-before-published photos from former Motown promotions guru Weldon A. McDougal III. Enthusiasts will now have a chance to own a complete encyclopedia of groups and artists, along with information about their music, including a discography and price guide.

Dahl has written liner notes for hundreds of recordings and is also a regular contributor to many record publications, including Goldmine.

-32-page color section containing many never-before-published photos

-Complete encyclopedia of groups, artists, plus discography and price guide for all Motown acts ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Excellent find!
I gave it four stars because I wish that there was more on some of the lesser known artists at Motown. But overall, this is a great book filled with great photos of artists in their heyday and full of facts that probably weren't known about them until now. And they weren't just still B&Ws, there were photos of artists on tour, off tour, on break, very candid!

Hitsville USA - A Good Intro To Motown's Glory
This book is a good reference about Motown containing details about the superstars and facts about some of the lesser known Motown acts (Paul Peterson!?!). which prevent The book is divided into two parts. The first half deals with the top 12 Motown acts and the second half deals with the the rest up through 1972. I learned quite a bit, especially about the second tier stars and the minor acts. The black and white pictures show these groups in classic poses and are stunning in the large format.

There are a couple of things which keep this book from five star status. The author often glosses over things such as devoting one single paragraph each to Stevie Wonder's and Marvin Gaye's peak periods. I realize that this may be a bit out of the time frame covered by the book but even David Ruffin's and Eddie Kendrick's solo careers after 1973 got more of a write up. Also, the music itself doesn't get a lot of attention. This book could have used a discography and discussion on how certain songs were influential both then and now. Although there is a great color shot of Michael Jackson making a face, the color photos are not up to the standard of the B&Ws. They seem to be more from personal collections rather than the Motown archives.

All in all, a good read and best read while listening to the great Motown music in the background.

I'll Second That Emotion...
The previous reviewers are absolutely right about this book. This is a fun and fascinating look back at a golden age of American popular music and the groups, producers and songwriters who made it happen. Much more than a rehash of the Motown story from secondary sources; the author personally interviewed many of the stars and lesser-known lights who helped create the music we love. Good, crisp writing and a generous collection of photographs bring the Motown story to life. A must-have for anyone who loves Motown or is interested in American popular music.

Encyclopedia of Hitsville
I got this book during the Christmas season and I can honestly say it was my best gift. Although I have always liked Motown, the subject is not one I would have requested a book on. Thank you you-know-who for disregarding my list this year. There is so much information here that I'm sure the author, for sanity sake, decided it was best to put it in an encyclopedia-like format. So, "M" for example, under Superstars, would list Martha and the Vandellas, the Marvelettes, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. This is not to suggest that because it's in that format, it'a a cold, reference book. Mr. Dahl presents each artist, songwriter, or musician's bio in a very readable, story-like way. And on some major artists, like the writers Holland-Dozier- Holland, they have their few pages, but in addition are incorporated into others' stories. In my family I'm considered the musical trivia expert, but a page didn't go by that I didn't learn something new and fascinating about an artist or the history of Motown. And there's a large section covering I believe every single person who even walked through the doors of Motown! I'm exaggerating, but it's an amazing list along with their stories of course. I was especially impressed with how Mr. Dahl brought out Berry Gordy's story of imagining the impossible and then bringing it to fruition. Oh yes, I forgot to mention there's a ...-load of great photos.

Motown in it's full glory
great to see a Book that fully captures the Motown Sound&all it's glory here.a solid Overview on the History of Motown.I can't Help but get excited about a Book on Motown because nothing out nowadays has the spirit&energy of this Giant.the Many Great Minds that made this Label Flourish gets just due here.enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is a large-format, heavily illustrated celebration of all things Mod, from the suits to the scooters, the music to the movies, the riots to the revivals. One of the most durable of youth cults, Mod defined an era and created a lasting impression on the world of fashion. Color and b/w photos. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Coffee Table Book (...)
Yes, I admit it....I'm a pop culture junkie!! I love to have books on different scenes I've been interested in. This is a great book on Mod culture. Lots of great picures of sixties mods!! A great guide for the style and music they listened to!!

It's a matter of style
One of the greatest causes of inter-generational conflict is fashion; it's closely followed by poltics, but that's not what we're here for, is it?

And fashion is what Mod was all about. It was a uniquely British affair at the time, a teen movement that claimed to be a break with the staid past, but was almost fascistic in its relentless doctrine of 'dress this way or risk being ostracized'.

It didn't really hit in the US. Here, our teen culture was way too ethnocentric in the early sixties to adopt anything from overseas. Look, how even The Beatles' early singles died. In fact, it wasn't until the 1980's - in a post-modern, post-punk world - that new wavers on both sides of the pond embraced many of the basic dress tenets of the 1960 Mod culture.

So, what do we have here in Mr Rawlings book? It's a chronicle of what that time was about. Told in a broad sweeping narrative that is supported by a spectacular series of photos and first-person stories, the book confirms the title...Mod was a very Britsh Phenomena.

But, oh what a great time it was for music. And, that's real story in Rawlings' history. Sure, the Mods were self-absorbed fashion plates. But, while dressing for their own success, they also forged an amazing amalgamation of US R&B music with British skiffle and music hall beats. It was this synthesis of sound and culture that formed the foundation for most of The British Invasion. Listen to any of the early LP's by The Who; The Kinks; The Animals; or any the scores of one and no hit wonders. How many6 of them were covering Motown hits? How many of them took that beat and revved it up?

That's why so much of the book is a history of the rise and fall of groups. And, a comparatively unknown history it is. Just like current Brit charts are far more secular than in the US - where it is more the trend to 'Jim Crow' hits into a veritable plethora style-specific music - most of the groups chronicled are all but unknown here.

If you're into music - with a bias toward the 1960's - or if you just miss the good days, Mod - A Very British Phenomena is a worthwhile additiona to your library.

Who are "The Mods" and why are they so IMPORTANT today? !
Why read The Story of Mod? What possible relevance and interest does Rawling's and Reed's well written and fascinating history of a scene begun in London in the early 1960's hold for today? Nice of you to ask! For an answer we should return to the Summer of 1979; out of the nihilism of post-punk England there arose a revival of a 1960's Youth Culture phenomenon called "Mod" . Bands such as the Jam ( whose gifted frontman Paul Weller later went on to U.S mainstream success with The Style Council) typified this rebirth with a heavy emphasis on their musical antecedants the Who, The Small Faces and The Kinks. Alongside this revival was a renewed interest in Motor Scooters and ska music. A variety of tangentially related fashions coalesced in the US and made Mod the Thinking Man's Answer to the increasing uniformity of Punk Rock and Rockabilly. Flash forward 20 years and we have the corporate pre-fab "rebellion" of Blink 182, Greenday and sundry other well scrubbed ( but tatooed) "punkers", Brian Setzer and the "Swingers" film bands/scene closely approximating a defanged,tame revival of the early '80's Rockabilly and punk scenes respectively. What of Mod? Well, the Parkas may be missing but the echoes are CLEAR in the music and style of such genuinely diverse pop music giants Oasis, No Doubt, Pulp, Blur, The Verve , and The Shazam ( from, of all places Tennesee). MOD is the ONLY authentic, non "corporate", GRASS roots YOUTH culture dynamic going today. The book chronicles the uniquely British birth and transmogrification of the fashion from its birth in post war England to the potent and creative force that it is today. Any student of youth culture and British pop music will find the book invaluable. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Fan Fiction
Marcus' prose is rambling and poorly directed. It is simply garbage that needs to be added to the genre on Bob Dylan Messiah worship. This books says nothing new about america or american music, it simply reshapes what has already been said in an attempt to make dylan's impact appear greater. Marcus even admits that he had written the liner notes to several dylan albums, proving that this book is simply a poorly executed attempt at academic marketing. This book is a waste of paper and it saddens me that so many people have been drawn in by its asinine conclusions and statements. It appears, from this book, that had Marcus been the main character in Equus, we might have had actors on stage with Dylan masks rather than Horse heads. Once again, this book is complete fulff and garbage and is an embarrasment to legitimate study or american culture and american music, shame on Marcus for writing this.

The Mystery of Rock and Roll
_The Old Weird America_ is the greatest description of the mystery of rock and roll ever put into prose. Rock is an ancient mystery religion-- insight, gnosis emerges when the terror and strangeness has been absorbed and transmogrified. Lead into gold, the wound of Amfortas healed, the mountain rooted down by the mole. The first time I heard Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes , I felt that terror. I was afraid of Tiny Montgomery, of Silly Nilly, of the Coachman. I knew that there was no relief for me until the world of the Basement Tapes was as real as the four walls of my bedroom. Now that it has become that familiar, there still is no relief. Rock and roll means never shaking the hell hound on your trail, no relief from the exasperated humiliation of begging Mrs. Henry to look your way and pump you a few. The ironic, elusive fantasy of the Million Dollar Bash always somewhere in the near future, with Rosemary waiting there to put it to you plain as day, and give it to you for a song.

Please post this review--customers deserve information
This is a retitled re-issue of _Invisible Republic_. For its content, then, it clearly deserves a 5-star rating (at least from here). However, you ought to know what you will be getting if you already have that classic.

This is simply a re-issue of _Invisible Republic_
Now that the editorial review is up, you will not make the mistake that I did when all I had to go on was the title. The only difference that I can see: a two-page preface that tells us why the book is being reissued under another title. Since I ordered a new copy of _Invisible Republic_ at the very same time I ordered this book, I am (having fetched it from the post office five minutes ago) more than a little miffed. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

robert hunter is...
... one of the greatest poets ever. in my opinion. reading his poems as oposed to listning to them on a album is a vastly differnet experiences. his words touch me like no other. this book is absolutly amazing, especially reading the things the dead never played. "jack o roses" the seventh section of "terrapin station" is the most beautiful thing iever read ( you can hear hunter sing it by going to the hunter archive at dead.net". everyone should read this, and for the few that really get it, it will be a transcendant experinece.

Bay Area Psychedelic Poesie
I have to admit to a great deal of personal bias here because I am a lifelong DeadHead. So it stands to reason that my opinions towards Hunter may be a bit coloured and clouded. (Pun possibly intended.) But this is a wonderful collection of lyrics. Hunter is a true poet whose song lyrics deserve to live and breathe in printed form. I always felt there was a poetry to rock lyrics: Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Jim Morrison, Richard Hell et al. Robert Hunter also deserves to be recognized on that list of Rock Poet Laureates. Beautiful lyrics like Box Of Rain and Ripple take on a new life when read from the page. It gives one the chance to see how good the use of language actually was. Terrapin is a tour de force epic of Rock poetry and almost everything from American Beauty and Workingmans Dead ring out as great poetry. While there is some average, weaker material as well, this gives Hunter a chance to earn acknowledgment for the fine poet that he is. The Grateful Dead would never have achieved their legendary status without the mystical, magical lyric ability of Robert Hunter. This book is a treasure trove that deserves a place next to the Dylan lyric book from 62-85 and the collection of lyrics put out by Lou Reed as well.

STRANGE FIGURES OF LIGHT FLOAT IN AIR....
you need to buy this book. you wont regret it.. its got the most amazing lyrics/poems youll ever read!! Robert Hunter could possibly be the best lyricist of all time.

Becouse I hav'nt read the book yet.
You know how sometimes or for some of you's, All the time, you can open a book turn on the radio say Hello to a stranger(insert a situation here) and the answer the comfort the direction you need is being laid out before you. Sort of a Serendipidus I-Ching reading. Well "Aim at the Heart" is one of those moments. wich is why I have put my comments here, but only (2)stars. Robert, May we all age so Gracefully.

'If My Words Did Glow With The Gold Of Sunshine........
...and my tunes were played on the harp unstrung would you hear my voice come through the music would you hold it near as it were your own?' Part of the experience of a Grateful Dead concert (and now The Other Ones, Ratdog, Phil Lesh and friends, and Mickey Hart's band) was listening to the words of Robert Hunter dance and twirl in your head. Hunter probably isn't the greatest American poet of the second half of the 20th Century, but he does know how to turn a phrase, borrow a line, and mix a metaphor. And his strange mix of phrases went well with the strange mix of American music written by the late Jerry Garcia. Box Of Rain is a must reference for anyone interested in the lyrical end of rock and roll. The book will clear up many an on going debate on just what Jerry was singing all those nights so long ago. And for all those people who can't understand why the Grateful Dead was so successful, this book will let you in on part of the secret. 'If you get confused, just listen to the music play....' ... Read more

Book Description

CONVERSATIONS WITH MILLER offers a personal and revealing account of one of the major playwrights of our time. Arthur Miller is revealed in deep and candid conversation with the highly regarded dramatic critic, Mel Gussow. In this series of interviews, which took place over 40 years, Miller is astonishingly forthcoming about his creative sources, his accomplishments and his disappointment; about his staunch resistance to the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950's; about his private life including his five-year marriage to Marilyn Monroe. The result