Book Description

Book Description

Contains nearly 500 jigs, reels, rags, and hornpipes from all the major fiddling traditions. Special introductory materials on regional styles, bowing, and ornamentation. Includes an extensive discography. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Fakebook Tunes (Including Reels)
Brody provides a good background on fiddling and fiddle tunes in this wonderful selection of music.The book appeals to fiddlers, and it also provides violinists interested in old-time tunes with sufficient resources to begin playing in styles different from classical music.The large selection of musicprovides great versions of mazurkas, waltzes, hoedowns, reels, jigs, hornpipes, airs, marches, and numerous other genres.Although the focus is on tunes commonly played by old-time fiddlers in the USA, the selection is international in scope, and the book includes tunes from Scotland, Ireland, America, Canada, and other countries.Each tune is annotated with a description of where the tune originated and a listing of various musicians who recorded the tune.These annotations will be especially helpful for musicians interested in the history of fiddling and for fans who wish to hear how the tunes sound prior to learning them from the printed page.The book should appeal to fiddlers of all skill levels; there are simple tunes for beginners as well as more numerous tunes that are a challenge more advanced players.

An indispensable resource!
Printed in 1983, the Fakebook remains the undisputed champion of music references for fiddlers, and it's aided a fair number of other non-fiddlers as well.

Inside its broad covers you'll find nearly 500 tunes from the various fiddle traditions. Jigs, reels, hornpipes, rags and breakdowns, each clearly labeled for origins (Irish, bluegrass, French-Canadian, old-time, etc.) and including a short list of recordings where the tune can be heard. Just flip it open randomly for a taste of its contents, and imagine the sound of tunes like "Haste to the Wedding," "Leather Britches," "The Munster Buttermilk," "Drowsy Maggie," "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," "Hanged Man's Reel" and "Great Big Taters in Sandy Land."

Eight pages of textbook materials -- music theory, history and culture, style and genre -- give a wonderfully brief overview of the things you'd like to know without loading the book down with endless information which, frankly, can get in the way of the tunes and make it too bulky for carrying. Better still, the book is held together by a sturdy plastic binding which allows you to plop it down on your music stand with ease. There's nothing so frustrating as a music book with tight bindings which make it impossible to play straight from the page.

EXCELLENT!
Great book-has info on each song - country of origin, style, albums including the song, etc... Easy to read notation including chords.A Must!

AWESOME
This is the third and LAST "fakebook" I will buy.
It should be called "the Fiddler's Realbook"
While the other fakebooks are just that, this one actually uses sheet music rather than tab.Now I can play the tunes with any instrument, or any other musician (who can read sheet music) I very much recommend it.

The one to get!
This is the tune book to get.It contains most of what is being played, and in the key and style and version you are most likely to hear it.Sure there are other tune books you will want, but this one will always be the core of your collection.

I am on my second one, the first one got so weathered and beaten, and the binding eventually broke and fell away, and I carried the pages held together with a large binder clip for awhile, hesitating to buy a new one because I did not want to lose all the hand written notes I had scribbled.Ok ok, I also did not want others to see the shiny pages free of the coffee stains and sun dried water stains. ... Read more

Book Description

Elvis Costello is undoubtedly one of the most important and challenging musicians of the last thirty years. Complicated Shadows paints a detailed portrait of an intensely private, complex, and creatively restless individual. It draws on a wealth of new research, including exclusive interviews with people from all stages of Costello's life and career: classmates, friends, members of his early bands, former lovers, members of the Attractions, producers, and various collaborators. Complicated Shadows reveals the circumstances surrounding his marriages to ex-Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan and jazz singer Diana Krall, and the bitter breakup of his long-term backing band, the Attractions. Costello's "coiled tight" personality and penchant for outrageous candor set the tone for a frenetic, and aesthetically inventive, independent band. Their independence is epitomized by their infamous 1977 Saturday Night Live appearance (replacing the Sex Pistols, who dropped out) when Costello cut short the scheduled song, "Less Than Zero," then directed the band to play the as-of-yet unreleased "Radio Radio." Costello didn't appear on live U.S. television again until the 1980s. Complicated Shadows contains a full examination and analysis of the entirety of Costello's vast and varied musical output, both in the studio and on the stage. ... Read more

Book Description

In less than a year, Neil Peart lost both his 19-year-old daughter, Selena, and his wife, Jackie. Faced with overwhelming sadness and isolated from the world in his home on the lake, Peart was left without direction. This memoir tells of the sense of loss and directionlessness that led him on a 55,000-mile journey by motorcycle across much of North America, down through Mexico to Belize, and back again. He had needed to get away, but had not really needed a destination. His travel adventures chronicle his personal odyssey and include stories of reuniting with friends and family, grieving, thinking, and reminiscing as he rode until he encountered the miracle that allowed him to find peace. ... Read more

Reviews (119)

Why does Neil Peart think he's "better" than us?
I'm not a Rush fan, and I'd never heard of Neil Peart before another motorcyclist cleared out his library and I got hold of Ghost Rider. I'm not impressed with celebrity motorcyclists, having met Malcolm Forbes, Peter Fonda, Jay Leno, et al. None of those guys think that they are "better" than us, on the contrary, they revel in the camaraderie and the egalitarianism of the 2-wheeled brotherhood. But Peart comes off as a parvenu
moto-snob, and he shuns Americans as being overweight and declasse. Who did he think was going to read his book on motorcycle touring, anyway, people who were working their way through their own grief? And he doesn't begin to understand his own personality type, and why he thinks that he loved his wife, while actually he was still a boy at heart, out having fun with his friends, while his wife sat at home. There was very little about his wife and daughter in the book, and lots about his attempts to run away from his own self, which he didn't like very much, and there was nothing of the guilt that he should have felt about not being there for his wife before the accident
where his daughter died. And, while he may have suffered from the loss of his immediate family, his other family and friends were still there for him and he didn't lose his career while he went off running away from responsibility. On the positive side, I did enjoy reading the travelogue parts and found his imagery of natural phenomena and scenery to be enchanting. Too bad he had to dwell so much on his grief. Oh, Peart did accomplish what
a writer needs to accomplish: he gained sufficient empathy with the reader (even though I though he was an a$$hole half the time)
to make me hope for a happy outcome for him. So I flipped to the back of the book to look at the denouement (a sure sign that the author is wearying the reader). I was amazed. He married a girl, instead of marrying Brutus, whom he loved more intimately than he could ever love another woman!

Far more than just an insight into Neil Peart's life...
Just like many of the reviewers here at amazon.com had done, I purchased this book primarily because I am an avid Rush fan. It is true that Neil Peart has kept his private life very guarded from his fans and is very defensive about his privacy (see lyrics to "Limelight" by Peart). However...

The more I read this book, the less I was aware that the man on this "Healing Road" is the drummer of a legendary Canadian progressive rock power trio. I became totally immersed in the mind of a man who is on an intense journey of personal re-discovery. Further to that, I became thoroughly engrossed with Peart's simple yet amazingly effective description of life on the road (on two wheels). Peart had made me forget "who" he was and instead made me want to read about who he is becoming -- a man in the wake of devastating tragedy, born of a fragile, healing "baby soul."

My hat's off to Peart. This book is an excellent read.

I feel the soft ground under my feet; and I am moved.
"Living in a fisheye lens, caught in the camera eye,
I have no heart to lie,
I can't pretend a stranger is a long-awaited friend."
-- Limelight

And who can blame you? Who will judge you? Lost your life, your family, your love, your child, your spirit ! O cruel world ! You turned in your ambition for a cold dark hostile ride through infinite space and endless pavement. But you do have love. You do have light. You gave so much to the world in your youth. You were our only voice. You taught us all a philosophy that we knew before we became wealthy and learned in philosophy. You were our only philosopher; the greatest of all philosophers. Your gift was not only the gift of words of enlightenment, but was the gift of energy: adrenalin flowing. You gave the world truth: the rarest of all precious stones. Thank you. You are loved by millions. And many more will be born to discover your genius. Music is timeless. Perhaps we are all strangers to you, but you should know that we, your audience, all hold you close to our hearts. And in this that we all share, we are not strangers, but very close friends.

"Ghost Rider" takes us into the soul of Neil Peart, percussionist, composer, and lyricist and poet of the combined genius known as Rush. It is a mystery why he opened his soul in this text, but he did. It's true: we cannot know another unless we walk in their shoes. But we can share it all with each other. Neil pours it out. How you see it, how it affects you, is all up to you, the reader.

MR

Only for the dedicated
As a fan of Rush and Neil Peart for 20+ years, I was hoping this book would reveal more about Neil's human side and the tragedies he faced and overcame. It did, but not the way I expected. I was about 100 pages in when I realized the book is written for Neil himself, not for the reader. The author often seems not to know or care that a reader exists and wants to understand and empathize with his journey. He logs hundreds of pages of detail of his aimless wanderings, often interspersed with his own feelings of grief, but the few real insights are fragmented without any real coherence. In fact, some of them are probably unintentional; he seems as unaware of his own disdain towards most other people he meets, as he is of the reader himself. This becomes painfully obvious in the "Letters to Brutus" section, pages upon pages of correspondence that, while surely significant to Neil and his close friends, are mostly fragmented and irrelevant to anyone else. After 450 pages of material, through which we desperately want Neil to overcome his pain, the story of his recovery is tacked on in literally a single sentence, followed by 6 pages of epilogue.

My sense is that this book was written not for the reader, but for Neil to bring closure to his own grieving process, which is understandable given the terrible tragedies that the author experienced. The reader should approach it in that context, understanding that the process of grief necessarily makes a person very focused on the self to the exclusion of almost all else.

I'd recommend the book only to dedicated fans of Neil's work, with the caveat that this particular work is really written for Neil himself. All the band members have consistently said they feel they owe their followers their best possible performance in exchange for the CD price or ticket charge; for the $20 price of this book, this is the first work I've seen by any of them that falls far short of that standard.

This road gets a little long...
As a long time Rush/Neil Peart fan I may not be the most objective reviewer of this book as I tore through its pages with the mindset of a fan and not as a casual reader. Being a Rush fan and a motorcyclist, I'm probably as captive a reader as any author could hope for, so perhaps I grant this book some liberties where others may feel it falls a little short.

The passing of Peart's daughter and wife starts the book on it's haunting footing as the author takes you on a two wheel ride over miles and miles of road while simultaneously allowing you to feel his pain, recount his memories, think his thoughts, and bask in his ultimate healing. All while the odometer keeps clicking away.

What is immediately striking is the author's raw emotional openness - as though his motorcycle were the couch and the reader the psychologist listening to him poor it all out. The down side of this is that in his honesty you see him as not always being the most sympathetic of characters - often he comes across being uptight, anal, and often self indulged. Rather than recounting memories of his lost loved ones, allowing his devastation to be more concrete and real for the reader he regales in story after story of past motorcycle trips with his best friend Brutus. By the end of the book you know more about Brutus than the loved ones he lost.

The beauty of this book is experiencing the world as viewed through the eyes of a well-read, thoughtful artist. He has such a poetic sensibility about the world that the sights, sounds and smells of the passing countryside take on a fresh life. Throughout the book he is searching, but never out of control - he grieves as you would expect, but not driven by his emotions - instead he rides and thinks. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Chairman of the Board has inspired a great many emotions--from hero-worship to withering contempt--and you'll find most of them documented in this intelligent compendium. The editors have dredged up some wonderful relics, like Bruce Bliven's 1944 rumination on what makes the Voice so magical in the first place ("Undoubtedly, just plain sex has a great deal to do with the whole matter"). But the essays, reviews, and memoirs cover every segment of Sinatra's career, including the end-game triumph (or travesty) of the best-selling "Duets." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Inside View of the #1 Megastar of them all!!
From Bobby Sox fave to Sultan of Swoon to the Fall and Great Comeback, it is just about all here, except for the very last years from the mid-1990's to the end. This volume is a collection of essays surveying the vast realm of an incredible career. The clear links between his peerless Capitol recordings,and his own life are explained,as are the demanding sessions themselves, his always being in charge with a lot of help from his friends. Every piece here is worthwhile, my favorite being Gay Talese's FRANK SINATRA HAS A COLD (1966)To quote:"Sinatra with a cold is Picasso without paint,Ferrari without fuel..A Sinatra with a cold can, in a small way,send vibrations through the entertainment industry and beyond as surely as a President can, suddenly sick, shake the national economy." A great fun of a read! Not for Frank fanatics only.

A must for anyone who loves Ole Blue Eyes
This book is like an almanac of information on Frankie. I had the pleasure of reading it at a friends house, and it was just great. I highly recommend it. Another good one, is "Why Sinatra Matters." Both give a glimpse into a man that we all love. ... Read more

Book Description

The first biography about the man The New York Times recently called "jazz's all-around genius, matchless in his field as a composer, utterly original as an improviser."

Saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter is one of the great architects of jazz, and a man whose influence will be felt by musicians and music fans for generations to come. In this first biography of Shorter, Michelle Mercer traces the amazing trajectory of his fifty-year career. As fellow jazz great Herbie Hancock puts it: "Wayne Shorter has evolved as a human being to a point where he can synthesize all the history of jazz into a very special, very alive musical expression. Nobody else can do that now."

In many ways, Wayne Shorter's story is the story of modern American music. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1933, he learned bebop as an adolescent in cutting contests with Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins. In the 1950s, he graduated to some "hard-drinking, hard bop years" with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The saxophonist was the catalyst in the famous 1960s quintet of Miles Davis, then followed the trumpeter on his avant-garde electric excursions. In the 1970s, he and Joe Zawinul pioneered fusion in Weather Report. Into the 1980s and 1990s Wayne's solos graced pop recordings like Steely Dan's "Aja" and Joni Mitchell's "Hejira." And today, at age seventy, he is leading the Wayne Shorter Quartet, a group that critics have compared to Coltrane's classic quartet and to Davis's own groundbreaking quintet.

A rich portrait of a great American artist, Footprints. makes a vital contribution to the literature of jazz. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Challenging and inspiring portrait of an incredible life
The reader will find this book personally challenging, inspiring, and moving. Even for those unfamiliar with the incredible (yet short) career of Keith Green cannot help but feel a certain level of conviction as well as a measure of inspiration in the life of this disciple of Christ. This biography tells the story of Keith Green's life from a variety of angles, but perhaps the most significant is the account it gives of his growth in faith. I read this book and was spiritually and emotionally moved to know the God that Keith Green worshipped in a personal and intimate way. Highly recommended.

This Book Will Change Your Life
This is one of the best books I've ever read, it's my favorite book next to the bible. Keith's music changed my life and so has his story. I've read the book at least 3 times now, and every time I read it, another area of the book stands out and ministers to me. This book shows Keith as he matures in his christian walk,which is really helpful to any maturing Christian, to see the details of another's walk with Christ.
Keith Green was a sold-out man to Jesus, like we all should be. It's a book of inspiriation, challenge, and it will change you.

Finding the real man behind the legend
There is no doubt that Keith Green has had a profound ministry. Even more than twenty years after his death, people are still being touched by his music and message. I know that I am a different person because of my exposure to this bold man of God.

"No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green" follows Keith from failed teen idol to the tops of the Christian music carts to a fiery plane crash in Texas. We see his early days as a struggling musician whose life was one of constant seeking but never finding until the day that Jesus put an end to the search. Along the way, Melody Green (with David Hazard) paints a picture of the early Jesus Movement of the late Sixties and early Seventies, showing how she and Keith were in the midst of it. Anyone who has been a Christian for a long time will be fascinated by how God put the Greens into the right places at the right time. There is a look at the nascent days of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship; friendships with classic Christian musicians like Randy Stonehill, Larry Norman, Barry McGuire, and Phil Keaggy; radical days of ministry highlighted by long nights ministering to anyone who would listen; and a sense of destiny shared by a small group of people with a common vision. It is almost a textbook-worthy look at a post-hippie Christianity finding its way.

To say that Keith Green is revered in certain circles is an understatement. One of the nicest features of this book is that it demythologizes the man himself. The "shoot first and ask questions later" perspective of Keith that made so many consider him a prophet is examined more closely, revealing feet of clay that some might find surprising. Often the hard-hitting songs that we have taken for granted were written as much for Keith himself to hear as for anyone else, the stinging messages a form of self-discipline for the author as much as his audience. Yet even in the correction of bad eating habits and too much TV, we are shown a prophet who examined his own life and often found it wanting. Finally, we get to see how Keith's self-defining brashness often backfired and how he came to a more gentle place in his ministry shortly before his death.

All these revelations are helpful in understanding the man behind the myth. Still, there are lapses. Very little is said about the recording sessions that led to the amazing albums. They come and go and we learn little. Certain anecdotes don't seem to lead anywhere, either, leaving the reader to merely surmise how or why Keith came to a certain place in his thoughts, actions, and spiritual development. Short excerpts from his journals are included, but more would still have been better. I know that I wanted to probe further into the subtle changes in the spiritual life of the man that led him into the situations outlined here, especially in the last year of his life--a year that zips by in the book. I suppose a wife can only know so much, and for those of us who want to know exactly how everything fell into place, I can only say that this book serves to drive us closer to God in order to ask Him those unanswered questions for our own ministries.

That said, this is still a very good biography of a man that practically packed a whole lifetime of spiritual growth into twenty-eight all too short years. Anyone who loves biographies of the great saints of God would be remiss to skip over this one. It definitely got me thinking and praying.

Amazing
It is really quite amazing the way God used Keith Green for his 7 years as a Christian. It's an amazing the impact his ministry made in such a short time before the Lord took him home at the ripe old age of 28. This is a pretty powerful biography.

I was a little worried though over John Dawson coming into Keith's life. He seemed to be feeding Keith some bad doctrine, even if very subtly, and seemed to be a flatterer, trying to tell Keith how big he was going to be. His prophecies were proven false though when Keith suddenly died in a plane crash. It's amazing how Keith, Melody, or Keith's mentors never seemed to see this.

Overall though, this book is a powerful testimony of what God will do with a willing vessel. How God can raise a man out of obscurity to be a prophetic voice that, though he be dead still speaks.

Do you have 'ears to hear' this message?
NO COMPROMISE is just that; a powerful, straight forward telling of the life of child musical prodigy come 70's-era preacher Keith Green. For as long as I can remember I have heard his music. I was practically raised on it. Yet it took me until 2002 to actually read this book. The experience was well worth it; his wife Melody did a good job considering lyric composition seems to be her forte.

The book is not too short and not so long as to scare away the somewhat-interested. As I think back on the book, it really is quite an amazing summation of Keith's short 28 years. Melody has included many small stories throughout the prose; stories of personal revalations, hilarious experiences, and tragic occurances. We see the human side of this man who was so often held up as God-like figure in Christian music. How fascinating it was for me-a fan of Keith's music for two decades-to read all these little anecdotes, diary clippings, journal entries, and especially information behind the writing of so many powerful songs. The scope of the book is impressive just because of the number of people drawn into Keith and Melody's circle. Many, many well known people are referred to and quoted. I had no idea there was a Bob Dylan connection and friendship for example.

NO COMPROMISE is a powerful book that follows Keith from his infant Christianity thru his maturing process and eventually, his untimely death. The end of the book is difficult if only because it seems so sudden, but that's how it really was. This is the story of how God worked in the lives of two young people and changed millions for the better. Thankfully, the story did not end on that July day in Texas, it went on, and continues today.

Recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

"One of the most influential lyricists of all time" --Rollingstone.com ... Read more

Reviews (8)

KRS-One book
I have never read the book but if it is on KRS-One it should be pretty good.KRS-One is the greatest

Hiphop Revolutionary
Ruminations is eye opening & consciousness expanding. He discusses some concepts that I've thought about before and some that I never would have. He lays out plans for a sovereign Hiphop Nation that would stand indepent of the United States. Talk about revolutionary thinking! As always he's not afraid to put forth ideas that may not be popular. I highly recommend this book, really for everybody, but especially for anyone who cares about Hiphop Kulture or even just Rap. The last chapter is The Science of Rap, apparently updated and reprinted from an earlier KRS book.
I couldn't put this book down. I often get bored with books before finishing them, but not this one.

Great Read!
This is a wonderful read! This will be a great text book for college classes interested in inner-city thought as well as social philosophy.

There's a reason KRS ONE has lectured at Harvard and Yale, and there's a reason this book is introduced by a famous philosopher. It's a good book with many insights.

It's no Plato's Republic, but if Plato grew up in the South Bronx and climbed the ladder from rags to riches, this book is something he may have written.

This book shows why KRS-One is one of the most brilliant
minds associated with Hip-Hop Today. KRS-One challenges people to think in most of his music. He is no different in his writing. The parts of the book that I found stimulating to read are his views on 9-11-01, the reparations movement, and the current state of hip-hop.

A great mind of today.
Kris Parker, better known as KRS-One,has written an outstanding autobiography entitled Ruminations.Kris Parker brilliantly tells us about his rise in Hip-Hop from beginning to present.His book also talks about many current issues,and his views on the state of society today.Kris also touches on the birth of Hip-Hop culture and his significant role in it.Kris is one of the most influential names in Hip-Hop music of all time.KRS-One is viewed by many as nothing less than a legend in the Hip-Hop community.I believe this book is excellent to read even if you aren't in any way interested in Hip-Hop.Kris has very interesting views on where he feels our world will be in years to come.For example,he spends a good amount of time discussing the serious reforms needed in order to improve the living status of African Americans today.The knowledge being displayed in this book is incredible.Just listening to Kris express his views and thoughts about the future makes me believe that KRS-One is prophet like.Ruminations is an excellent book that does nothing less than feed the mind. ... Read more

Book Description

Three years ago, Carnie Wilson was 300 pounds, unemployed, depressed, and sitting in a doctor’s office being told that she probably wouldn’t live much longer. At night, she had terrible dreams of her mother getting a phone call from the police saying, "We’re very sorry, but someone found your daughter in bed, and she’s gone." Knowing she had to do something to save herself, Carnie opted to have gastric bypass surgery. She woke up the next day in the hospital determined that she wouldn’t just work on having a new body, but also a new life.

That’s the story we’ve already heard. In I’m Still Hungry, Wilson picks up where she left off in her 2001 book Gut Feelings. She takes readers step by step on her weight loss journey, which wasn’t just a road to reaching 125 pounds. It was a mental trip where she had to conquer all of her fears and insecurities, including issues with her father, Beach Boy Brian Wilson—which made her gain the weight in the first place.

This book offers a unique way of showing the progression of weight loss, with one section serving as a diary of sorts. It details Carnie’s weight at specific times so that readers can use this part of the book to find their own weight and see how Carnie’s life lessons got her head in the right place so the pounds could keep falling off.

Wilson also offers a humorous look at her own weight loss, asking: What’s better—sex or chocolate? (Answer: "Sex followed by chocolate.") She also discusses re-establishing her career as an actress and singer in Hollywood. It wasn’t easy when the National Enquirer was practically staking out her house to catch her on "a fat day," or when fans e-mailed her to chastise her for flashing "some arm flab" on Entertainment Tonight.

And, of course, the book includes Carnie’s minute-by-minute description of posing for the June 2003 issue of Playboy magazine, with the inevitable questions: Can I eat breakfast before posing nude? Why do I have my period this week of all weeks? and Do I look fat? Carnie also gives readers a glimpse of what spurred on the much awaited 2004 regrouping of the Wilson Phillips band and how she is in perfect harmony again with her partners, sister, Wendy Wilson; and bandmate, Chynna Phillips.

Finally, the last part of the book reveals the specific weight-loss plan that Carnie still uses to keep slim—and anyone can follow this plan to lose weight whether they’ve had weight-loss surgery or not. Carnie even includes a few of her favorite desserts.

Wilson is still hungry for knowledge, love, acceptance, and yes, a chocolate chip cookie or two. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Carnie does it again!
I just finished this book. Her first book was great but this one was awesome! I had gastric bypass surgery in Aug of 2001. Carnie truly is an inspiration! This book talks about how losing all the weight does not magically fix all our personal problems. She tells it like it is and doesn't hold back. I think it is awesome that she decided to accept Playboy's offer to pose. You go girl!

Mixed Views
As a nutritionist for a bariatric surgical program, I empathize with Carnie Wilson. She nicely depicts the personal struggle for self-identity in people who lose a great deal of weight through bariatric surgery. The style of writing is enjoyable and funny. She has a sense of humor that makes for lighter, enjoyable reading.

However, from a nutritional standpoint some of her diet information is completely inaccurate, and I'm wondering how false nutritional information is permitted to be printed. For example, on page 172, she describes diet sodas as having "tons on sodium." Diet sodas have approximately 25-50 mg of sodium per serving, amounts that fall under the category "very low sodium" as defined by the Food and Drug Administration. Also, fruit, as she described as being "loaded with sugar", has approximately 15 gms of carbohydrate per serving, and can easily fit into a meal plan designed for a patient who has had WLS.

Carnie does a great job of describing how she confronted the battle of weight loss; however, she should leave the nutritional recommendations up to a professional.

Is This Empowerment?
I was interested to read Ms. Wilson's story and I certainly appreciate her sharing at such a deep level. However, I think the whole substance of this book can be summed up in this quote from page 118 of the current edition: "...Maybe posing [for Playboy] was just what I needed to finally free and completedly liberated. Some women run marathons, some climb mountains, or kayak across the deep blue sea, some jump out of planes and live to tell the story...I was going to jump out of my fears and pose nude for Playboy..."

Um, there's a difference between the things Carnie listed and posing for Playboy...one is about your pushing yourself to achieve a physical feat, the other is about changing yourself to what the dominant culture wants. Based on what she says in this book, Carnie is happy because she is attractive in a Playboy kind of way. But no matter how much plastic surgery you have, you can't maintain this kind of body forever. If this is where Carnie is getting her happiness, no wonder she is STILL HUNGRY.

I also have had WLS and have lost over 150#...and I know it's a struggle to not be defined by externals. But I would NOT recommend this book to anyone considering WLS because it is much more about fitting yourself into a mold and much less about reestablishing physical and mental health .

She did it again!!!!!!!
I enjoyed reading this book, as I did the first. She is talented and funny. She has a way with words, pulling you right into her world and relating your world to her's. I just love her determination, she is an inspiration that lightens my future.
I have purchased several and given them to friends, so the inspiration will continue.

Humorous, Uplifiting, Exciting, Heartfelt....
Especially for someone who has gone through WLS, this book is a wonderful read. Carnie Wilson's writing style is down to earth, never too technical, and always heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even for people who have merely struggled with weight and not had WLS, I highly suggest reading this book!! ... Read more

Book Description

It must be a part of human nature to love drama. We never would have sold as many records -- and we never would have been this popular -- if our member changes did not happen. Up until that point, we were squeaky-clean nice girls who couldn't get on the cover of any magazines. --Beyoncé Knowles

They're beautiful, they're talented, they're bootylicious . . .

From first kisses and broken hearts to pillow fights and legal battles to losing friends and finding strength in God, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams share it all. Their example of survival has made Destiny's Child one of the most beloved, bestselling female groups ever.

Here for the first time, the three share the struggles that have made them stronger, from Beyoncé's battles with weight loss and shyness, Kelly's coming to terms with growing up without a dad, and Michelle's triumph over grade-school bullies. They've grown up under the media microscope, and have had to deal with lineup changes and media rumors. Now they set the record straight.

The demands and drama, the schedules and scrutiny -- from the tour bus to the dressing rooms to backstage at awards shows, Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle talk about what it takes to be successful. Whether it's changing outfits in the rain, changing their hair color, or changing a name, they've done it.

Don't be mistaken, they're not a prefab group of young girls -- they're smart, independent women with a lot of soul. When these ladies had only minutes of studio time to work with Wyclef Jean to remix one of their songs, they didn't stress, they just started singing faster -- and the result was a unique sound that put them on the map. Everyone has caught on to the Destiny's Child groove -- Whitney Houston, Bono, and Michael Jackson have all given them props, and the King of Pop himself serenaded them with a rendition of “Bootylicious.”

Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle take you behind the scenes of a video rehearsal at which Aaliyah rewound their practice music, to the set of Austin Powers 3, where a starstruck Beyoncé felt anything but foxy before auditioning for the part of Foxxy Cleopatra, and backstage at the Grammys, where a last-minute costume change fiasco nearly kept Michelle from going onstage.

With total honesty, these soul survivors not only dish the details of their past, but share their hopes, plans, and dreams for the future. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

It is a very good book, just not enough dirty secrets.
I felt they touched on some things but didn't go deep enough. I wanted to read about their personal ... lives; the things that we REALLY wanted to know about. What about all these guys Beyonce have been romantically linked to such as Kobe Bryant, Jay-Z, Eminem, Mos Def, just to name a few. And what about that rumor about Beyonce being pregnant and having an abortion last year and who got her pregnant? What about ex-member Farrah Franklin saying in a magazine that Michelle is really miserable and unhappy being in that group but tolerates it for the fame and fortune and because she wont like herself if she is not in Destiny's Child. She also said the only reason Kelly gets treated half way decent is because she is a realtive. Also, when disucssing the drama with ex-members Toya and Tavia they never made themselves look like the bad guys in any situation. Beyonce mentions her parents brief separation but didn't really go into detail about what led to it. They call themselves survivors but that is a strong word to use to describe these young, rich and famous glamour girls that have survived nothing worse than than acne, weight gain(Beyonce), bullies (Michelle), losing friends (group members), dead beat dad (Kelly), criticism, and jealousy; it hardly qualifies you as a SURVIVOR. No one in the group has suffered any kind of real abuse, life threatening illneses, immediate family deaths, being homeless or hungry, trying to make a comeback after a failed career. Those are things TRUE suvivors go through. Don't be fooled, these girls didn't have it too badly. Beyonce grew up in a two parent home with a dad that adores her, a mother who loves her and aint never had to go without anything even before the fame. Her parents dropped their lives to help her pursue her dreams which paid off for all of them. Either the title of the book is too heavy or maybe they held back on the real pain and heartache they have survived, who knows. My review was a little harsh but I really love these girls and wish them all the success in the world. I think Beyonce is has a lot of soul within herself and in her voice that has been hidden to gain pop appeal. I think she should sing more songs that have that deep soul feeling, more like Aretha or Patti. she has a beautiful soulful voice and can really sing. Kelly seems free sprited and care free, sort of like a wild but fun girl. Michelle seems like the sweet one who will go witht he flow to avoid drama. Yeah, these ladies make me proud.

They are truly "Soul Survivors"
I am loving the Official Autobiography. The ladies have given us something that no other person can give us. They tell us the up and down sides of their life. How they grew up just like the normal human beings. Also Kelly Rowland tells us about the absent father in her life. I must say if you want the truth you need to get the book. I will not give away any secrets to the book. You just have to read it for yourself. I am so proud of the ladies and they are truly "Soul Survivors" in my opinion!
God Bless Destiny's Child :)

very good book
the book is very good i want to read over and over again and i like how they put pictures in the middle of the book and they talk about their child hood but they talk to much about the break up but not the future and what they have accomplished as a group with out the other members but i would recomend this book

So-So...
I was at a book store, and I found it for six dollars in hardback condition. Me, being the Destiny's Child freak that I am, jumped at the chance to buy it for such an inexspesive cost. There was NO WAY that I was going to pass this offer up! It is a really easy book to read. The only part that I didn't like about it, was that the book was mostly about the break-up and make-up of Destiny's Child. It is a great book, but I just wish they would have told us a little bit more. I reccomend this for the collector, but not too much for the reader!

It's Pretty Good
I enjoy Destiny's Child, and I thought it would be interesting ot read about them. It was a good book mostly, and you learn a lot about these three members, like their childhood, early life, school years, how they joined Destiny's Child, and more. What was strange to me was the title of this book. I really am not sure that these three rich woman who are famous all around the world are really "soul survivors". What did they survive? Sure, they lost three group members but that's about it. Another thing that bothered me was that the book was mostly Beyonce this, Beyonce that. She did most of the writing, or should I say talking because they just told their story to James Patrick Herman, who actually wrote it. Also, it seems like the book is mainly about her. So what, she writes their songs and is their (Destiny's Child) lead singer. It dosn't mean she should always get all of the attention! Overall, the book is great, but I think big Destiny's Child fans would like it the most. ... Read more

Book Description

On April 16, 2003, Luther Vandross suffered a near-fatal stroke, and the world held its breath. Inside sources said he might never sing again. He was too weak to receive visitors, but cards and good wishes came from Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Anita Baker, Halle Berry, Patti LaBelle, Jesse Jackson, Burt Bacharach, Bette Midler, Star Jones, Gladys Knight, and Dionne Warwick, among others. With a will to live matched only by the enormous strength and power of his heart, soul, and singing talent, Luther survived and is regaining his voice. This biography is a loving tribute to the man who has entertained millions.

Luther remains one of the music industry's most private celebrities. In Luther, the first biography of the hugely popular and beloved singer, Craig Seymour investigates and illuminates Luther's life, from his early obsession with soulful girl groups to the day he was discovered by glam rocker David Bowie to his devastating stroke and inspiring recovery. Seymour explores Luther's elusive sexuality, the taboo question that has plagued him for his entire career. He talks about Luther's yo-yo dieting, and the pain his weight has caused him and those around him. He tells the whole story behind the widely publicized feuds between Luther and R&B icons Aretha Franklin and Anita Baker as well as the group En Vogue. And he frankly and honestly explores the tragedies of Luther's life: the 1986 car crash that killed his best friend and nearly destroyed his career, and the 2003 stroke that almost ended his life.

An authentic R&B legend, Luther Vandross is one of the most popular and talented vocalists in the world. His life has been full of pain and love, tragedy and redemption. And now, for the first time ever, Luther gives you a backstage pass into his life and longing.

Reviews (5)

Enjoyable and surprisingly funny
This Luther Vandross biography unexpected arrived in the mail and I begin reading immediately. An easy, quick and fascinating read, I enjoyed learning about Luther's background, his struggles to become a recording artist, and his careers successes and challenges. Although this really isn't a book filled with personal comments by Luther to the biographer, Craig Seymour, you can tell that the author did a great job seamlessly piecing together Luther's history so that it reads logically and thoughtfully. There are sad and poignant moments (the stroke), and many funny moments too (Luther's quick wit and great sense of humor). The squabbles he's had with fellow singers will make you laugh too and shake your head at what goes on behind closed doors within the industry. Even if you aren't a Luther Vandross fan, if you enjoy reading about a slice of R&B music history, you may enjoy reading this book. The book provides a fascinating and dramatic look at the music industry, and it simultaneously honors Luther Vandross with grace and honesty. It's highly recommended and may give you a greater appreciation for Luther, as well as entertainment in general.

great book!
I loved this book! Luther's life unfurls with drama and style--much like his live shows. I've been a Luther fan for years and learned more about him--and had a greater appreciation for him--by reading this book. I definitely recommend it!

Inspirational
The story is inspirational; aspiring artists should read it to appreciate the obstacles and fears that perseverance overcomes. After finishing the book, I was inspired to begin my artistic projects again. Also, it was a wonderful journey down memory lane.

Riveting Biography
This is probably the best celebrity biography I have read. Seymour demonstrates his reporting and writing prowess by filling the book from beginning to end with loads of character-revealing research, while simultaneously maintaining pace and rhythm. He gives readers the sensation of having front-row seats to the ongoing drama by recreating the kinds of behind-the-scenes antics that only an insider gets to witness. He also helps to transport readers across the barriers of time and place by recreating the sights and sounds of the important social (and musical) events that mark each era. Even if you have not followed Luther's career closely, you'll find yourself drawn into this engaging portrait of a man whose childhood hobby led him to become a producer for some of R& B and pop music's biggest icons and, ultimately, to attain mega-watt stardom.

An Inspirational, Uplifiting Read!!!!
This book cuts to the heart of Luther's artistry and spirit. A must read!!!! Great for the beach!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Blessed with one of the most beautiful voices of her generation, soprano RenéeFlemingis one of the most celebrated talents on today’s music scene. In The InnerVoice,this great singer shares what she has learned from her experience as aninspiration forthose contemplating a career in the arts. From struggling to get a career underway todealing with her own personal doubts, Fleming is wonderfully candid andarticulate abouther art—especially the little discussed heart-throat-mind connection—andchildhoodinfluences, formal education, mentors, preparation, and mental and physicaldiscipline.

Here is a look at the real life of an artist today, a life confronted by theloneliness oftouring, the need for resilience, the desire for creativity in the face ofoverwhelmingcommercial pressures, coping with business issues, and, most important,balancingpersonal and professional fulfillment. The Inner Voice adds itsdistinctive voiceto works such as Eudora Welty’s One Writer’s Beginnings and Uta Hagen’s RespectforActing, teaching by example and the hard-won human lessons all artists mustlearn. Itwill be eagerly awaited not only by her legion of fans, but will also berequired readingfor anyone contemplating a career in the arts. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

A powerful woman
In the late 1960s, when I was maybe 9 years old, my mother let me ditch school to attend a lecture by Maria von Trapp. I'm guessing that the author was promoting a newer edition of her book at the time. She struck me as an opinionated, very strong personality, but one who had twinkling eyes and who encouraged me to continue my piano lessons. The baroness autographed my EZ-Play "Sound of Music" piano book, but sternly made sure that I realized that the movie was not REALLY what her life was about--that it was just Hollywood stuff. When I grew up and became a music teacher myself for 15 years, I wish I'd remembered this book, because I would have recommended it to every student of mine. I just found this copy in an antique shop, but THIS one won't be recycled or resold!

What comes through on every page is the dedication to a will and purpose higher than any human's will. This was not meant to be a "religious" book, but a history of a family who made a huge difference in the world by their faithful service to God. Being willing to work hard, submit their discomfort or inconvenience to God's will and have Him turn it into great blessings and lessons for the family and indeed the world, are truly building blocks of faith, hope, love, and encouragement.

In addition, the stories of the family's dedication to their profession and the pursuit of excellence are inspiring. To attain such stature and not have one's nose in the clouds is an accomplishment in itself! (Ever meet a music scholar or highly-educated performer? The humble ones are few and far between.)

I agree with the other reviewers that Maria probably was the Captain of the family, but look what happened to a country peasant girl who was truly noble, not just assigned the title!

A slightly skewed version of reality
Along with everyone else who has read this book, I loved "The Sound of Music" and knew that it was a glossed over account of their real life. I picked up this book, hoping that there would me some truth to it. While I am sure that the majority of the events DID happen, they way they are presented leaves much to be desired. I got the impression reading this book that there was yet a 3rd side to the story that is not presented here.

This is the story of the family, as told by Maria. This is the book on which the movie is based. The book leads the reader to believe that everything was sunshine and roses and that whenever anything bad happened, God provided the opportunities. While I am not doubting Maria's faith, I also think that she worked her tail off to get some of the opportunites the family recieved.

This book is very moving. Some of the antics of the little kids made me chuckle and the story of Georg's death brought tears to my eyes. I would be interested in finding out what happened later.....

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the movie.

Curiosity satisfied
This book is a personal family history of the Trapp Family Singers. It begins with Maria's days in the convent, traces the migrations of the family during the War years, and finishes in their family home in Vermont.

Ever since seeing The Sound of Music for the first time, I have always been curious about what happened next- -did the entire family manage to safely climb the Alps to freedom? How did they pay for their journey to the US? And what connection do they have to the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont? Maria Trapp answers all of these questions in this book. While the musical version of their life did convey many of the main episodes, the storyline of the musical compressed these episodes so that they seemed to happen one after the other: Maria leaves the convent, teaches the children how to sing, marries their father, and they flee the country at the outbreak of the war, all within 2 hours. Phew! Like the musical, this book also starts with Maria's last day in the convent, but more than a year passed before she and the Baron were married, in 1927. They were married some 12 years and had 2 additional children along the way before leaving Austria. Yes, as unknowns, the family did win a song festival, but that was in 1936, and by the time they fled Austria, they were already quite well-known and had toured Europe as a family singing group. Indeed, one additional reason for leaving the country when they did was that they had been invited to sing at Hitler's birthday.

When driving past the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, I have always thought of it as a ritzy place, and assumed that the money to purchase it and develop it had come from the Baron's family fortune. In reading this book, I found that that was not the case at all. The Baron's fortune was lost before the family left Austria, and they arrived in the US on borrowed money. In their new American lives, they had to restart from the very bottom of the social ladder, digging themselves out of debt before they could even begin to think of buying new clothes or a home. For years they dressed in the same simple clothes they had arrived in, and they built their first house in Vermont from the foundation up with their bare hands. That is, the girls did, since the two boys had been drafted into the US army and were fighting in Europe at the time.

This book relates all of these details and many more, with a considerable sprinkling of humor. Maria comes across as a determined optimist, a young girl barely out of her teens who arrived on the doorstep of a house filled with grief and dissension. Through her personal character and upbringing, she created a family with strong bonds to each other that was able to withstand remarriage, loss of fortune, becoming refugees, and establishing a home and a livelihood in a distant foreign land. The two elements that were her constant guidance and source of inspiration were her faith and the music. This book is peppered with remarks that ring true even today: "The family that sings together, plays together, prays together, and usually stays together." "Our age has become so mechanical that this has also affected our recreation. People have gotten used to sitting down and watching a movie, a ball game, a television set. It may be good once in a while, but it certainly is not good all the time. Our own faculties, our imagination, our memory, the ability to do things with our mind and our hands- -they need to be exercised. If we become too passive, we get dissatisfied." The Sound of Music is a great story, but the story presented in this book is much better.

Ave Maria!
What a wonderful book! I laughed and cried all the way through it. The story of the Trapp family, their adventures, their singing career and their camp were uplifting. And the constant trust in God and the way in which they lived out their Catholic faith were beautifully described. A story full of the joys and sorrows of real life.

The best book ever written!!!
That really was an interesting book!!!!! When I started to read the first page, I was so cautivated by its contense, that I could hardly stop reading!!!! I also liked it, because I read it when I had already seen the movie and so I could see what was true and what was invented by the producers of the film.

What I liked best in this absolutely interesting book is the way Maria starts learning Enlish in the ship American Farmer, because thats really an ingeniouse and funny way of learning a language.

I also liked the part when they arrived in America and they saw that the american culture was very different from the european one. In this part it was very easy to understand how lost and confused they surely felt in the first days of being there. But also in this part of the book we can see how brave they were, because although they had a lot of problems, they had success in their lives in the american continent.

The part in which I was almost moved to tears was the ending, because there you can see what friends are for and why you have to have some. ... Read more

Book Description

The first-ever collection from the archives of the legendary Chairman of the Board, filled with never-before-seen photos, letters, mementos, and more.

What is a legend? A legend is a man who, more than 65 years after stepping on stage for the first time, is still larger than life. A man who changed the way we wear our hats. A man possessed not of a voice, but The Voice. Frank Sinatra is a legend.

Created in conjunction with the Frank Sinatra Estate, THE SINATRA TREASURES tells the story of Sinatras life with rare and never-before-published quotes from those he loved and those he worked with--and from the Chairman of the Board himself. More than 200 black-and-white and full-color images from several Sinatra archives, as well as 30 removable facsimile reproductions of items, such as a script from one of his radio shows and a Sinatra family photo album, provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Sinatras world and talent. Also included is a new compilation CD of rare interviews, early radio appearances, and songs.

This celebration of the many elements of Frank Sinatra--as singer, as actor, as humanitarian, as friend--brings to life as never before the man who made the standards standard. ... Read more

Book Description

Michael Steinberg's highly successful listener's guides--The Symphony and The Concerto--have been universally praised for their blend of captivating biography, crystal clear musical analysis, and delightful humor. Now Steinberg follows these two greatly admired volumes with Choral Masterworks: A Listener's Guide, the only such guide available to this most popular of musical forms. Here are more than fifty illuminating essays on the classic choral masterworks, ranging from Handel's Messiah, Bach's Mass in B Minor, and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, to works by Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and many others. Steinberg spans the entire history of classical music, from such giants of the Romantic era as Verdi and Berlioz, to leading modern composers such as Elgar, Rachmaninoff, Vaughan Williams, and Stravinsky, to contemporary masters such as John Adams and Charles Wuorinen. For each piece, Steinberg includes a fascinating biographical account of the work's genesis, often spiced with wonderful asides, such as the true story of Mozart's Requiem--Salieri had nothing to do with the composition of it, nor did he poison Mozart, who most likely died of rheumatic fever. The author also includes an astute musical analysis of each piece, one that casual music lovers can easily appreciate and that musicians and more serious fans will find invaluable. The book also includes basic information such as the various movements of the work, the organization of the chorus and orchestra, and brief historical notes on early performances.More than twenty million Americans perform regularly in choirs or choruses. Choral Masterworks will appeal not only to concert goers and CD collectors, but also to this vast multitude of choral performers, an especially engaged and active community. ... Read more

Book Description

Presented in a handsome slipcase, Lennon Legend is both an illustrated and an interactive biography of the creative genius - songwriter, artist, social activist - who changed his times. Created with the cooperation of Yoko Ono Lennon, who has opened her archives for this project, the book offers insightful details about every era of John's life, from his early days at art school to the height of Beatlemania to "Imagine." A live recording of that song is included, along with several interviews of John talking about his life and art, on the audio CD contained in this package. Throughout, the book features archival photographs and reproductions of John's handwritten song lyrics, drawings, memorabilia, and personal papers. In all, 40 removable facsimiles can be enjoyed by the reader, several previously unpublished, including an intimate self-portrait in pen and ink and a plea for world peace. It's been said that John Lennon's was the voice of a generation. Lennon Legend celebrates that voice's power to resonate across the generations. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

"Breathe" - Experience John Lennon
Imagine - you are visiting an exhibition about an important artist. An exhibition guide is describing anecdote-rich in short chapters all creative periods of this artist.

Imagine - you are buying the catalog, covering all the things you saw and heard before. Again ...

Imagine - you are taking with you some of the so admired exhibits (ok, only as reproductions, but ... anyway).

James Henke let with his book "Lennon Legend: An illustrated Life of John Lennon" this dream become true. Because provided with large expenditure, a worthy book is published, which resembles rather a fan collection in form of a photo album as a classical biography. The "Clou" - the book contains high-quality reproductions: handwritten letters and Songtexte, historical documents and further 40 removable memorabilia as well as an interview CD, on which also a rare live recording of "Imagine" is to be heard from the year 1972.

Henke avoides dry academical essay and "letter deserts" to the reader. As a curator he knows obviously, how history can be lastingly and affectionately address. Facts become literally "illustrative" and "handable". Therefore you should pull the art cart with Yokos handwritten request "breathe" from page 26 and in thoughts experience , how it could have been, when John met for the first time Yoko.

The author succeeds with this approach to show, almost the entire work of Lennon as a musician, author, painter, performance artist and as an actor. But the book is not a detailed exposition with the John's contradictions. Rather Henke concentrates to point the view of the reader of the strengths and talents of this outstanding artist.

Nevertheless in my opinion this book let the answer to question open, which let John Lennon become a legend. This to mediate clearly, succeeds only in few places in this book: "in somewhat more than three years... they (the Beatles) had revolutionized the music and the fashion, and at the cultural and social changes... they were considerably involved."

Also John never understood itself as legend. In its last interview (contained in cutouts also on that CD) he says: "my role in society is trying to express, what we all feel and not to tell the people how to feel - not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all, and it's like that the job of the artists in society."

All in all, this book is remarkable, than many biographies about John Lennon before - Henke lets the "legend become touchable":

Imagine - you are opening the book and the Lennon exhibition come to you home.

Already because of this conception that book earned at least four of five stars.

Absolutely fab!
Everything Henke publishes is always a high quality, well-researched effort and this is no exception. It's not hyperbole to say that this book contains virtually everything you ever wanted to know about Lennon memorabilia; the details are prodigious. It's an almost encyclopedic chronicle of Lennon's life from 1940 until his tragic death in 1980. Casual fans might suffocate under the weight of all this info, but for Lennon fanatics, like me, this is nirvana.

The book is divided between personal material about John, his relationships, marriages, divorce, and two sons, and his professional career. His partnership with Paul is explored in fascinating detail and no discernible bias can be seen. The index is easy to follow and cross-referenced so you can easily find what you're looking for. The highlights are the color photos of John memorabilia: report cards, Quarrymen stuff, lyric sheets... it'll blow your mind.

If you are a serious fan of John Lennon, this is an indispensible guide to his songwriting, personality and his life. If only he had been allowed more than 40 years on earth, how many more classic songs would he have written? Sadly, we will never know, but this celebration of his life is as good as it gets.

IN JOHN'S LIFE
This is an outstanding biography of John Lennon.

This is a high caliber, comprehensive work that follows John Lennon's early years in Liverpool and the formation of the rock bands he founded until its final evolution as the Beatles. There are a plethora of good photographs and material that will captivate readers from Beatle experts to lay persons. This author has clearly done an excellent job of researching his material.

Yoko's input is invaluable and helps to make a good work all the more effective. Imagine owning this masterpiece - you will be so glad that you do. As for the Beatles, in my life, I love them more. This book will certainly spark an even keener interest in the Beatles and the man known as the Chief Beatle, John Lennon.

All I'm Saying is give this book a chance
John - my second favorite Beatle, and my favorite solo ex-Beatle (come on, is there really any competition between 'Imagine' and 'Silly Love Songs'?) So you can IMAGINE my giddy excitement when I saw this one on the shelves. A must read. I loved it. For any obsessive Beatle fan (like me) or anyone just looking for a way to pass the days away.

"If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace."
John Lennon

If everyone read this book, there'd be peace. Or at least a very satisfied reader.

Entertaining
If you love John Lennon then you will love this book. I don't own it, but i saw it in a book store and sat on the floor for about 20 minutes just going through all the little pull-outs it has. Great book to have...i highly recommend it! ... Read more

Reviews (54)

"Truth or Lies".....you decide....
I started this book and I have to admitt, I read it in one day....It was very intersting however I don't think it was very factual....If you get this book be sure and get "Child Bride" as well, and compare....It is entertaining that's for sure! I love Elvis Presley...My mom was at his concert when she started having contractions with me...He is a heart throb and a very intersting man. This book I am sure has some truth to the legend, Elvis Presley's life and the things that went on during his time here, but lil Mrs. Priscilla is not as innocent as she tries to say in her book...Just look at her past reviews, the "seductive" pictures she has posed oh so many times in...She is a good story teller though. She tells it like she is a victim. You will see reading this book that in her own words she was very into Elvis, and VERY controlling and jealous....I say read this book...but get "