Music Books

The point-haired Boss is just like my REAL CEO.
The consultants hired by my company are really as cynical and expensive as Dogbert
...sometimes I had the feeling, Scott Adams worked in my office...

Amazing!

Highly recommended, at least for self-defense purposes!

Bought this as a Christmas gift for my teenage nephew, I think he has quite a collection now. He was very happy to get it. We are all Dilbert fans in our family!

I'm Not Anti-Business, I'm Anti-Idiot is a marvelous compilation book featuring more of Dilbert's trademark humor on a sometimes dreadful subject: work. While Dogbert schemes to cheat gullible people, Dilbert struggles with his overly incompetent boss, and Alice is working around the clock on pointless tasks. This book also introduces Asok the intern. So join your favorite Dilbert characters on this oddessy through futile projects, idiotic management, and sarcastic co-workers.

One of scott's best books ever. I could not stop laghing. BUY THIS BOOK

There is a reason that many workplaces ban Dilbert cartoons- they are just too darn close to the truth. I've lost track of the number of times that I've laughed myself silly after finding one of his cartoon arcs describing some experience in my own working career.

In his biography, Scott Adams is described as both an engineer and as a member of Mensa. Inspite of this, however, he has a sense of humor....

I'm sure that this confirmation of the absurdity of corporate "culture" has helped more than a few intelligent wage-slaves maintain their sanity over the years. It almost maintained mine.

I, too, like Ms. Ryan, am a believer in "true love." I found it only
once in my life for a brief time; consequently, once it became only a
memory, I felt I might never find that special someone or share those
wonderful feelings again. I am still in search, but after having read
Ms. Ryan's tender thoughts, I now feel this is still there for me and
possibly anyone who will just keep their mind and heart open for that
someone to "come in." I have dated recently with the hope that this will
happen. If it does not, I am not discouraged, however; I feel it
is "just around the corner," and some day I will discover it all over
again. I do not want to settle - I want the "bells and whistles" all
over again, along with the heart "flutters" waiting to see and be with
that person who will make my life complete again. This will happpen -
Please read "If You Believe in True Love," and you will understand and be
uplifted to a new level of hope and encouragement. I plan to give this
book to a couple of my friends this year as a Valentine's Day present. I
know they will appreciate it and cherish its contents forever.

I have finally allowed myself to meet someone after reading Marlene Ryan's Book, it helped me to understand that I must listen to my own
feelings and to recognize these feelings for what they are. She helps you look at things in a different light. I have so longed to please other people
my whole life and it left me feeling empty inside. Now I am doing what makes me feel happy inside and I am now my own person. Her book is full
of so much information on so many situations that take place in life. I have taken to heart all that she pours out from her heart and it is working for
me. I encourage others to read through her whole book first; after open to a page and read.

The Author's true love cd is so expressive as it touches on various topics sharing so much love, misunderstandings, faith. I highly recommend it to anyone. I want to thank the Author for a true work of art, combinding her book with a music cd.

Author's Book is very open and honest. She stresses you to listen to your heart, for it is as she has stated, 'a Protection.' I really found myself very involved and the further you get into her book the greater or should I say more intense it gets. I do recommend her Book to anyone that would like to look a little more into themselves, certainly has opened my heart to true love by understanding and recognizing what it really is and to follow your heart for it does exist as the Author brings out.I found the Introduction to her Book very informative. I am more then empressed with her talent and writings so different then anything I have come accross as far as poetry, this is far more then poetry. These are stories, meditations, more along those lines, wisdom. Very professionally put together! Her Music CD; which I have listened to many times. You need to, there is so much. Alot to absorb in one sitting. I love the songs: So Sorry, Time for A Change, Believe, Is This How We Parted, Cared, Should Find, High On a Mountain, 'True Love' (great story). Other songs; Ever Since You Left, Remember Me (very moving) Music CD. The Music is somewhat not only exciting but coupled with the lyrics amazing as I again, recommend you to listen to it a few times to get the drift, deep. There are alot of songs; with such meaning. This Unusual Book with Music CD certainly deserves a 5, if not more for the simply fact it takes courage to put something so different out into the Market Place. The Author has done a great job, I give her lot's of credit! Very Well Done! I hope to see her on a talk show soon! Worthwhile and should be shared with the public on a larger scale. Someone who has the knowledge of the industry should take a hold of it and run with it, she deserves to be heard!

Her Book with Music CD is a whole new concept; the Author has done something very unique and I was greatly amazed at her futuristic style of mixing a book with a music CD in a very interesting way.

Never saw a book put to music before. The whole concept of having her meditations turned to lyrics put to music on a CD is so amazing. Picked right out of her book and I like that I could just take them in the car with me and listen to them on the way to work. Songs like So Sorry, Time For A Change, Should Find, High On A Mountain the whole CD is so meaningful. This should be the new wave of the future, not having much time to read, I can appreciate this. Upon opening my package, I was surprised how appealing and how I knew I made the right choice to purchase it. Hope others will have the opportunity to read such deep and thoughtful works. Definitely would give it to a friend for a gift, because it would be something out of the ordinary. Her pictures throughout the book are beautiful. Thank you for giving me the chance to say what I feel about the Author's incredible Book and Music CD. Thanks to the Author on her out of the Ordinary Works get's my 5 stars, worth it.

As i turned the pages of the authors life I became intrigued with her writing style. She is open and pure and takes you on an emotional roller coaster of the heart. I felt her pain, joy and her honesty. Her poem "Sweet Dreams and The Little Things "is one i like very much. It reminds us in life IT IS the simple things that brings the greatest joy!!!!. Finding your True Love and holding on to it is what the book is about. She writes about freedom, love, friendship, loss and longing. It makes you ponder personally on your own life teaching you to cherish and protect those you care about. As her poem "TIME" states "if its true love, time is of no concern "True Love" has a life of its own. Time teaches lessons and enables us to see what we feel and lost, this book is a wake up call to our hearts. I urge all to go out and buy this lovely book. It will give you the courage to Make that call, Swallow that pride, or Follow that Dream to find or reunite again with your True Love. I hope Ryan as the Author has found her true Love. For it made me realize who mine is.

Fantastic artistry to go with one of the classic songs, especially for those of us in West Virginia. Can't help but sing as you read. Great fun for the whole family.

I am from West Virginia so Country Roads has always been dear to my heart, especially being a WVU grad where it is blasting all over town on football Saturdays! I bought this for my nephew and I'm sure he will love all of the illustrations as much as I do. Lots to look at on each page and I love how the illustrations are done as if it has been quilted.

My son received this book as a gift for his first birthday. He loves it (and he has no clue who John Denver is)! We've read/sang it a hundred + times. He loves looking at the illustrations, as do I. My husband & I graduated from WVU, so this song is near & dear to our hearts. We hope to make a little Mountaineer out of our son too....this is a good start.

A great song with amazing illustrations. All the pictures look like quilt pieces. This song is timeless and kids love it. I've got kindergarteners who can belt this out and they never get tired of reading/singing it over and over. Very well done. Can't wait for more John Denver songs to come out.

John Denver's music paints a beautiful picture in your mind, but this book brings it to life even more! Book is very animated---almost seems like the pictures move as the vehicles go up and down the rolling hill. Great quilted-look art that covers almost every space in this book. LOTS of things going on (you could look at this book all day long and still find something new the next day) Well worth the money!!! Get is for all your John Denver fans :)

I was amazed at how many photos were included in this book that I had never seen before. I was equally amazed to discover that Gruen had taken some of the most well known photographs of John Lennon during this time period; and it's interesting to know the story behind them. The book is entertaining to look at, but it's also an interesting read with Gruen providing a "fly-on-the-wall" perspective of what it was like to hang out with John & friends during the New York years. Gruen provides a detailed account of what was going on in John's life when a certain photo was taken and, unfortunately, what it was like walking into the Dakota a few hours after John was shot to pick up a package at the front desk that John left for him.

I like very much this book, because has a lot of pictures with John in his intimate life, but i think Bob Gruen as a photographer is not the best. The pictures he had taken of John Lennon, are more a "fan photos". Of course there are "iconic pictures", like the New York series. But still a nice book to have to all the Lennon fans.

Fortunately for us, Bob Gruen was there. I must admit that the book show mostly really great photos, and some others are not (I mean the focus, light, etc), but you can saw John as he was, a normal guy, doing daily stuffs, playing with his guitar, in the studio, off course with Yoko, with baby Sean, public events, etc, a great review of those last years in NY.
I didn't know that so many of the famous pictures of John where taken by Gruen. The quality of the book is great, I think that every Lennon's fan will love this book, and I hope that Bob Gruen show more of his John Lennon's photo collection in a near future, he share a lot with him in those New York days and probably he got more to show!

If you enjoy black and white photos with interesting and informative commentary and John Lennon happens to be one of your musical heros, consider adding this book to your library. It just has a nice touch.

Bob Gruen invites readers and photo aficionados into his chronological photo portfolio into former Beatle John Lennon's life with the book John Lennon: The New York Years. Gruen provides a combination of never before seen and seen candid and photo shoot images of Lennon during his years in New York. Gruen closely associated with John and Yoko as a neighbor and as their personal photographer, and the images show the intimacy and the trust they had in him in capturing their moments in just about every situation, in the studio, a walk in the park, or simply hamming it up for the camera; every picture tells a story behind it.

The difference with this book of photographs and others is that Gruen offers much insight of the time and place in which he took each photograph. Gruen specifically shares with the public his personal account of knowing John as a friend or as he refers, "just a New York guy." He does not concentrate on over wrought information, but rather recounts the first time he met and became friends with John and Yoko and the events that made an impression on him, such as the story behind the most iconoclastic poses: the New York City t-shirt and Statue of Liberty pose.

Bob Gruen covers much ground in a little less than ten years, 1971-1980. However, in that time, he covers the most interesting and controversial period in John's post Beatle life. John Lennon: The New York Years is recommended for all Lennon as well those interested in documentary photography, and is yet another welcome addition to anyone's collection of rock and roll oriented books.

I'm sure I'll love this book. Once I receive it. It's been nearly 3 months since I ordered this...Amazon will no longer be the beneficiary of my internet commerce.

Kind of essential lookback to something we'll never see again. All the messiness, sloppiness & amateurism that had me and my pals going all the time to the FE (Friday Night Late Show Only please!). One of few worthwhile rock books.

I love this book. I frequented the Fillmore East 18 times between 1970 until it closed in June of 71. This book brought back so many memories. The Fillmore East was without a doubt the greatest place to see and hear a concert and I miss it. I am glad that I was able to be a part of the Fillmore East - even got to speak to Bill Graham the night of the last public concert. I am very glad this book was put together and anyone who was there will enjoy it. I sure do miss those days - Thanks Amalie!!! Got anymore tidbits - any chance of a Fillmore East Late Show edition?

This book provides a list of the bands playing each night the Fillmore was open! Great historical insight!

The Fillmore East was not only the Mecca of Rock Music in the late sixties and early seventies, it was also the epicenter of all Rock Music, as well as jazz and performance art from the era. Live at the Fillmore East captures the ambience of the era by capturing not only the acts performing on stage, but the audience's exuberance and the backstage scene in wonderful photography by Amalie R. Rothschild. I'd highly recommend this book to all music lovers, like myself, who have an appreciation for the music of Jimi Hendrix, Janis, The Who, The Grateful Dead (many great pictures of the band on stage), Miles Davis, etc.
A special portion of the book is dedicated to the light shows that were so valuable in those days in highlighting the music as it was being performed. If you ever attended a show at the Fillmore East, this book is a must! If you know the reputation of Bill Graham and the Fillmore East and never attended a show there: this book is a must also! Great forward by Mickey Hart and great text by the author. Buy this book and treasure it for the testament of a great, historical era in music.

A pleasure to read this book. I listen to a classical music station which includes interesting facts about the musicians' private lives. One day a guest mentioned that she knew where the host was obtaining these interesting facts. So it is a secret no longer; it's this book. Lives of the Musicians is light reading with approx. 2 pages of facts per musician, so it is not an in-depth look at their private lives; however put it on your "Fun" reading list. It is a highly amusing book and a great source of dinner conversation. Also Check out Lives of the Artists:Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neigbors Thought)

My daughter has been studying piano for two years and she is fascinated by the people who score the compositions she learns to play. In school she learns about a different composer each month and always wants to know more when she comes home. She also has a love for anything historical. This book was a great addition to our reference collection because it reaches her on several levels. We happened to come across it at the library and, after reading a few entries, we decided we'd like to buy it. Lots of bookstores stocked the paperback edition, but only Amazon had the hardcover in stock. This is the kind of book you really want in hardcover so that young children can more easily flip through the pages and study the humorous illustrations.

The book includes entries on 20 musicians from a wide range of styles, backgrounds, and historical periods. The entries are engaging for adult readers, yet accessible for a younger audience. My daughter is six and was totally engrossed in the stories of Chopin, Mozart, Clara Schumann and others. I know we will come back to this book again and again.

This is a great book! My piano teacher checked it out from the library and loved it so much I had to buy her a copy! The illustrations are adorable and the bio's are so interesting. A lot of interesting stories that really give the great masters a very human quality! I love reading about the musicians that I'm currently playing! If you are into music and want to know just how human they really were this is a great book!

I got this book for my daughter who is a music teacher. I thought it would be a good reference and teaching tool for her.

My daughter's piano teacher gave her the assignment to read about Mozart as she started her first Mozart Minuet. My daughter was 7 at the time, and although she was reading at above 3rd grade level, I was shocked to find that there was NOTHING available on the internet or in her school library that give her information on composers at HER level. I finally found "Lives of the Musicians" and have actually purchased the book. It's just that good. She is able to read about each composer (for the most part the language is about her level, although she DOES need help with some of the words), and each section is engaging enough to keep her attention.

This book is a must for anyone with a child that wants or is assigned to learn about the great composers.

The complete story of a legend: Canned Heat. When you read this book, you are with the band year after year. Great itme for anyboby like the music.

I thought this book was really well written and all the stories told throughout were very interesting. Love Canned Heat and it is kind of sad in a way, but it's good to know what happened. Fito rocks!

Being a serious blues player and fan I've never been partial to Canned Heat's music though I'm pretty familiar with it. I did buy the LP Hooker and Heat, which I like. Alan Wilson was a fine harp player for sure and John Lee Hooker was in good form. I'm not going to run out to buy any Canned Heat CDs now, but after having read this book I'm sorry that I never heard Canned Heat live. I once read a comment about Son House to the effect that he doesn't play the blues, he IS the blues. Canned Heat, more than any act in history, based on Fito's account, lived the blues. These poor devils went through a seemingly never ending litany of tragedy, death, injustice and suffering in their incredibly long existence (which continues to this day) and yet they survived. That, after all, is what the blues is all about. Surviving tragedy with strength, humor, love, and often drugs and/or alcohol IS the blues. Few blues performers (and no bands) have paid the dues that Canned Heat has paid. This makes Canned Heat pretty special in my opinion.
Fito's account of the band's journey through the ups and downs of life and show biz is heartfelt, wise, funny and very well written. The book is the best rock biography I've read in a long time, maybe ever. I found myself really caring about the members of the band including the many who only briefly joined and left. The accounts of self-destructive core members Bob Hite, Alan Wilson and Henry Vestine are tragic and inspiring at the same time. Fito doesn't pull any punches when discussing any aspect of the band, it's members or the many managers, wives, girlfriends, bar owners and fans that the band came in contact with. He's a wise soul who understands human nature very well and it comes out in every page of this informative and entertaining book.

I usually don't like biographies too much, but with Fito De La Para, it's different! It's about one third biography, and two thirds the saga of Canned Heat and it's members, and their ill fates. It tells about the life and death of Alan Willson, one THE greatest harmonica players of his time, and fleshes him out in a way that just listening to the old albums can't do. The same thing happens with "the Bear," Bob Hite, and Harvey Mandel, and each of the later members that replace them. Many, Many great pictures! It's drugs and chicks and death, just like the title says, but Fito retains hope throughout, and is a bouyant narator who takes you on his personal ride from illegal alien to superstar to heir to the "World's Premeir Boogie Band!" I read it all, then handed it off to my Dad, with my brother waiting in the wings to grab it next! Get it while you can!

Written by Canned Heat drummer Fito De La Parra, this book is a tell-all tale of rock and roll excess. Only a Latino could pour his heart out the way Fito does here. His love of the blues, love of his fellow band members, his anguish at the deaths of Hite, Wilson and Vestine are expressed here vividly and emotionally. Of particular interest are some great stories about their most loyal fans; bikers, as well as the usual alcohol abuse, over-the-top drug use, and dalliances with females, some of them groupies, including the Plastercasters, The Butter Queen and sweet, sweet Connie. A must-read for all fans of rock and roll, blues and " the road ".

The Bishop writes and speaks from the heart and from a wise standpoint. But don't get it twisted: He writes as a means of communicating with and empowering those who come into contact with his ideas, not as a way to show off. In other words, he writes so that anyone may understand and appreciate. He's a hip-hop scholar, but it doesn't mean that people need a degree's worth of knowledge to grasp his perspective. I'm looking forward to Vol. 2, which I know is about to come out.

This books touches on the spiritual aspects of Rap and Hip Hop. The perspective of the book examines a viewpoint that many writers have overlooked in past publications. A world view of the Hip Hop spirit, it acknowledges the music and culture in relationship to religion, specifically Islam and yoga as the book look to an inner space. Hip Hop and Politics in the Mix looks to the heart and soul of Hip Hop life.

Adisa Banjoko's "Lyrical Swords" is a "must read." If you are looking for legitimate, first-hand knowledge of the Hip-Hop culture, you will find it in this book. Banjoko has a profound knowledge of the community and its potential to change the political mix in America. His book suggests that the many contemplative, spiritual members of the Hip-Hop community are a political force to be reckoned with in the future. This little gem of a book is written in a refreshing, free-style manner, similar to that of the Hip-Hop culture. While it is written in B-boy style (free-style), it is clearly a uniquely intellectual pursuit. Everyone can enjoy this little gem. It is a bridge between those who understand the Hip-Hop culture and those who wish to understand it.

Maria Carr

This book left me with a feeling to do some good for the world and the people around me, but it isn't a tree hugger testament or anything like that (no offense to tree huggers). It also opened me up to some completely different apsects of hip-hop culture that before I hadn't given much thought to. Adisa continues to lay it down, take advantage of the knowledge that the Bishop has to offer. READ THIS BOOK AND YOU WON"T BE LET DOWN.

Banjoko's book is a smart and critical examination of contemporary Hip Hop culture. His analysis does justice to the culture, discussing all of the aspects of Hip Hop and various Rap genres. His colloquial use of language is fun and easy to read and very engaging. It's also very powerful and moving, especially when he speaks directly to the reader.

What struck me most was his demonstration of the wide distinction between the Rap Industry and Hip Hop culture; how the Rap Industry and Hip Hop media represent Hip Hop culture; and the inherent social implications of their representations. I love that he doesn't over-generalize or blame one party over another; he holds everyone accountable for their actions! As a result his book takes on great credibility and his messages even more repect and importance.

This book is a must read for everyone!!! Reading it would be an ENLIGHTENING experience not only for the lover of Hip Hop and the curious layman, but for all U.S. citizens who are bombarded by the dissemination of Hip Hop images in the media everyday.

The product came to my attention during the Christmas Season.
I could not be happier with my decision to purchase it.
I have read it twice and I cannot count how many times my wife has read it.

If you are familiar with this song and realize that it was written by Mark Lowry then having this book also written by him and him performing the song is just great. He puts as much thought in this book as is in the song. They go hand in hand.

The words to this song is the story of the real Christmas. Such a talented man is Mark Lowry. I understand that it is the only song he ever wrote...with one like this one, who needs another one!

I bought this for myself and then went back and ordered more for Christmas gifts. Everyone who received it has commented on the story and the music. It is also a special treat for me to listen to every Christmas season. I just love it.

This CD and book is THE most beautiful and meaningful gift I've ever received. My husband heard the song on the radio and went searching for it at music store where he found the Mark Lowry book/CD. I couldn't stop crying the first time I heard it. To read the birth of Christ through the eyes of His mother, the most Holy Theotokos, brings a new perspective to this great and holy holiday. I encourage everyone reading this review to purchase one for yourself and one for someone you love.

"The Message" is a paraphrase of the Bible. It is easy to read and understand; however, readers should be cautioned that this is one author's interpretation. "The Message is not THE BIBLE and is marketed as a paraphrase. This is also not a verse by verse paraphrase but rather a chapter by chapter look at how Eugene Peterson interprets the scripture. Therefore, it changes the meaning of scripture that is conveyed in trusted translations of the BIBLE.

like my title this version is amesome. it's cheap enough to buy it. i have listened to it at work and learned so much, i also have been listening to it as i read the bible, so i am hearing and reading it. for if i listen i can drift thoughts, or things of many other things, if i just read it late at night i can fall asleep, or realize the last 2 chapers, i don't know what i was reading. so by doing both i have been getting heaps out of the old testament, which is hard for people to get warmed up to. But i sure have. you'll like it.

It's amazing how easy this Bible is to understand. It definitely was a great purchase.

The Message is a great translation for listening to the Bible. The 5 MP3 CDs are an economical and convenient way to get the material. As others have noted, the readers are very easy to listen to. The production is very well done.

I hate to be the one to nitpick, but I noticed several dozen numbering errors in the file names and in the MP3 meta data. Perhaps I'm handicapped by a poor media player but I had to correct some of these files by hand for the chapters to sort perfectly. I'm certain that in most cases the errors go completely unnoticed by listeners because the files themselves are in the correct order on the CDs. The files on CD 4 are arranged in a completely different manner than the other discs.

So while I found the MP3 arrangements imperfect, the content itself is superb and deserves 5 stars. Buy it.

Having enjoyed the hard copy versions of The Message for years, I decided to invest in the CD version and was very glad that I did. Each chapter of The Message has a brief snazzy musical intro (which I *really* like) with a woman's voice giving a background about the church, the times and the general history. I suppose I glossed over this part in the written form, but I surely do enjoy listening to it on tape. It really helps put the whole thing in context.

I'm always hesitant to invest in these "books on tape" because sometimes, the reading so dry and boring, but the reading on The Message is strong, clear and interesting. The intro to Matthew even features Eugene Peterson himself, explaining a little background about how he wrote "The Message."

I am *not* an audio-based learner but more of a visual learner, yet my thoughts don't drift whilst listening to these CDs. I find it very easy to stay focused and really pay attention and soak up the meanings.

I've listened to these CDs for several years now and they never grow old. I love the layout and organizations of the tracks, the little case (very handy), the narrator's voice, the music and above all, I love listening to The Message.