Interviews Books

I had read this book years ago and like so many other things, you lend it out and never get it back. sigh. I was happy to find this online and ordered it straight away. It was ordered at the same time as my Amazon stuff (through a reseller) and it beat my Amazon order by a good 3 days! lol

This is a fantastic inverview. I only wish an audio were available. Maybe someday.

I think that this book was very good. It took the reader in to the private lives of both John and Yoko. It gives us an inside look on what their own private lives were really like. That being when John was with The Beatles and his life afterwards and up to the end of his life. I recommend reading this book. It takes you into John's thoughts about life!!

I love John lennon so i started reading biographys on him and interviews, etc to learn more about him. When I read "The Playboy Interviews With John Lennon and Yoko Ono" I HONESTLY COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I couldn't believe it; i started reading it in the afternoon and didn't put it down until late at night where i finished it! It is a wonderful, wonderful book with John's sense of humor and yoko's too and their insight into the world. It really is my favorite book because it is close to a John Lennon autobiography as the world will ever know. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

This is the definitive book regarding John Lennon. He reviews almost every song he wrote with or without Paul McCartney, which alone is worth the price of admission. In addition to that, he provides insights into his personal philosophies and world views. One could call it the perfect companion to the recent Beatles Anthology book. Crucial reading. How sad he had to die a little over 2 months after these interviews were conducted. Unfortunately out of print, do yourself a favor and try an out of print book search; you won't regret it.

I first read this book back in 1983, to gain a little insight of John...and it quickly became my favourite book. Although I don't think Yoko was or is everything he thought, this was a man who truly loved his wife, and believed with his whole heart and soul in their marriage and life together. He was enjoying making music again, so much (this interview was done in September of 1980) and was looking forward to the future...hoping he'd be there with us. His love for his music, his wife, his sons, and even the Beatles are all there. He gives his opinions on every subject he can think of, both positive and negative, in his usual witty, straight-to-the-point manner that we all know him for. The interviewer did a great job, and was clearly a man who admired John Lennon as much as I do. He did a great job in this book, and it is my absolute favourite, out of all of my collection. Anyone who wants a peek into what John thought and felt and wanted you to know, should read this book...you will treasure it as I do.

This is a great book. I used it when I was in residency. I am now a practicing psychiatrist. I can still, even to this day, see how this book has shaped my clinical interviewing in a positive way. It is practical, it takes the theory and gives you examples of how to phrase things. It has mneumonics that help you remember all of the different parts of the interview. it enables you to do a pretty complete diagnositic interview when you need to. I remember getting compliments from my supervisors after they observed my interview when I started using these methods. It is a great book to get when you are wondering about how to get started when you first begin conducting interviews.

Written in easy to understand language, this is an invaluable book for those learning or reviewng the psychiatric interview.

Indispensable if you are a Psychiatrist.The book is very detailed.Must read for the boards too

For those of us who appreciate straight-to-the point guides to doing what we do, this book is just the thing. It is easy to follow, gives helpful mneumonics for various disorders and fits in the pocket of you white coat.

I prefer this kind of pocket-sized, concise guide to health care. The mneumonics were especially helpful to remember the identifying characteristics of different conditions. With appendices of patient education handouts and intake forms, this book is very complete for its small size.

This book was good therapy- it was reasuring to find that there were many people out there like me that spent a great deal of their spare time combing thriftstores and yardsales to find Martin Deny albums or twisted versions of Beatles tunes sung by washed up celebrities.

Here's a simple test to see if you'd like this book: you're at the local thrift store when from the corner of your eye you see a record of Buddy Hacket singing favorite Yiddish songs. Do you...

A)keep looking for your Partrige Family lunchpail that your mother gave away 18 years ago.

B)Break into a cold sweat and lunge for the record with trembling hands.

If your answer is B maybe you should check out this book.

If you're into discovering strange records this is definitely a book to read. The book is separated into chapters. Some are dedicated to musicians and others are to individual record collectors, which are amusing. It gives them the chance to talk about the kooky records they've discovered. There's a nice chapter dedicated to Yma Sumac, which taught me things I didn't know. Apparently she had a concert in 1987, too bad I was only four. She sums up her career rather nicely and expresses the problem she had at her comeback. "I can't sing with just two musicians!"

This book mostly consists of interviews with people discussing their unusual record collections. If that sounds like your bag, here it is. Of course, I dug it.

This is the definitive book on thrift store music finds. Of course, because of its publication it's become increasingly difficult to make good thrift scores since it's opened up the field to many more collectors. But at least we've still got ebay! If the Velvet Underground can lay claim to launching 1000 bands, then the "Incredibly Strange Music" series is responsible for launching thousands of record collections.

After their popular "Incredibly Strange Films" book, the Re/Search team shifts their focus to music, specifically to fringe genres represented primarily by forgotten vinyl releases of the past. Interviewing assorted individuals, both music lovers and cult stars alike, V.Vale and Andrea Juno explore their record collections and gather anecdotes about beloved artists, treasured finds, and favorite album covers. In the first volume, Ivy and Lux of The Cramps recall their discovery of rockabilly and garage rock through thrift store scavenging, and members of the Phantom Surfers discuss surf and hot rod music, monster party albums, and Beatles knockoffs. Brian and Stuart of San Francisco's Amok Books talk about lounge and exotica music (Les Baxter, Arthur Lymann, Korla Pandit), and the founders of Norton Records detail the strange careers of Hasil Adkins and Esquerita. There's also chats with Eartha Kitt, exotica legend Martin Denny, and Jean Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley on their work both together and solo. Throughout the pages are hundreds of B&W photos and images of classic retro album covers. A companion CD was released featuring selections from some of the records covered. These books are an excellent read for those drawn to the bizarre, the shameless, and the ridiculous in music history. These are the unsung artists who never get mentioned in traditional music guides. Definitely recommended.

The day my childbirth class was to start I was put on bed rest. Although I had read a lot about pregnancy and birth, I still didn't really know what it would feel like to have a baby. Reading these accounts of births helped a lot -- I felt I was much better prepared for the experience. I also liked Labor Day, edited by Ann-Marie Giglio, but that collection was relentlessly positive. This book include stories from women who weren't thrilled with their experiences, which seemed more honest.

The stories are organized by where the birth occurred: hospital, birthing center, home. Reading the different accounts reassured me that I had chosen the location that was right for me.

I'd recommend this book for anyone wondering what it's like to give birth.

This heartwarming book is a compilation of real women sharing their birth stories. Hospital births, births at home, and unexpected birth places. No matter where or how a woman has her labor and delivery, the end result is the same: the miracle of life, the birth of a baby. The stories shared here are bound to make you laugh and cry, and feel proud to be a woman.

Any mother knows that moms never get tired of the birth experience of other women. It is fascinating to read about the variety of way that women deliver their babies. You'll read about "normal" birthing experiences that take place in a hospital with doctors and epidurals, and you'll read about unusual experiences, such as a woman who gave birth to her baby in a tunnel. With each birthing story you will feel empathy and camaraderie with the women who share their story in this wonderful book.

Any woman who is pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant will be amazed to read how many different ways there are to have a baby. Reading Real Birth may give a woman a new perspective about the way she would like to deliver her baby and is a must read for all expectant woman.

The author Robin Greene says, "Women share their birthing stories the way men share their war stories." Any woman who has already had a baby will read this book and will feel priviliged to know that she is among the many, the proud, the moms.

I'm far beyond my pregnancy experience now, but this book gave me a look back. I so identified with these women. What struck me was that these narratives are more than women dealing with the pregnancy experience; these are their stories of the conflicts and struggles in their lives, stretching into the relationships with spouses, other children, parents, and themselves. This is a must-read for all pregnant women, and for mothers of pregnant daughters. Great stuff!!

Robin Greene should be commended for her skilled handling of the 36 narratives that make up this book. Each woman relating her harrowing/funny/poignant experience of birth has her own voice and style. What was amazing was how different each birth experience was for each woman (and not just regarding the setting that it happened) but at the same time how similar their experience was in terms of it being a life-transforming event. I felt her inclusion of experiences of multiple births and of infant loss to be a choice that really rounded out this book.

I loved reading this book. It has such a wide spectrum of births and the women in the book are so honest about their experiences. Everything from home birth to cesareans, multiple births, adoption, and even stillbirths are included. I love how the personalities of the women shine through. I would highly recommend this book to any pregnant woman!

I read it over a period of two days and found it very hard to put down. The essays on each star were fairly short, but they gave an insight into their lives off the movie screen and out of the pages of the fan magazines. More of a "where are they now..." kind of book.

I have a touch of envy too. I would have loved to have done what David & Tom did - travelling to Hollywood in the summer to interview stars of the Hollywood golden age. I have a keen interest of what went on behind the scenes & afterwards, almost as much as the finished products themselves.

Reel To Real is an anthology of celebrity interviews featuring big names in entertainment from vaudeville to movies and TV. Various interviews take place in different years, spanning 25 years total. The Featured individuals include Harry Delmar, Fred Astaire, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, George Burns, William Shatner, Mel Blanc, Mel Brooks, and many more. Each interview has a down-to-earth tone and offers plain-terms insight into the business of bright lights and mass-media, from celebrities' reactions to government cutting of arts funding to the simple trials and tribulations of growing up and striving to make it big. An inset collection of black-and-white photographs of the interviewees rounds out this engaging slice of the stage and silver screen life.

Reel to Real is a history of 20th century entertainment. If you're a film buff and appreciate the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, the interviews in this book are for you. The Frank Capra chapter is funny and informative. Spencer Tracy's story about Hemingway is amazing. And Milton Berle talking about dressing in drag for the first time is a real hoot. I couldn't put this down!

The year was 1974 and "That's Entertainment," the compilation film of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio's most wondrous musical moments had just opened wide at theaters nationwide. For David Fantle and Tom Johnson, two St. Paul, Minnesota teenagers, it was a galvanizing experience.

When "That's Entertainment" opened, their interest in the movies and the stars that were in them was piqued. Not only did they become film buffs, but in 1978, just liberated from high school, they made their first trip to Los Angeles to interview Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and George Burns. The celebrity floodgates opened.

The pair began publishing their interviews in the Minnesota Daily, the University of Minnesota newspaper and have interviewed more than 200 celebrities the past 25 years for publications throughout the world.

Reel to Real: 25 years of celebrity profiles from vaudeville to movies to TV represents the authors 60 "best" interviews with such legendary names as Astaire, Kelly, Burns, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Gregory Peck, Bob Hope, Charlton Heston and Frank Capra.

The book also features forewords by Cyd Charisse and Shirley Jones and 24-pages of rare and candid celebrity shots, most taken by the authors.

For anyone who loves candid, facinating anecdotes about the way Hollywood used to be....from the stars and directors who were there and made history, this book puts it up front.

It contains tons of information that I have never heard about before. For instance, I never knew Frank Capra gave Irving Berlin the idea for the musical "Holiday Inn" staring Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. I always thought that Berlin came up with the idea himself. The Lucille Ball interview was also very cool as were many others.

The pictures really rock. I especially loved the Milton Berle gag photo where he poses with a cigar sticking out like a bucktooth beaver......and what's with songwriter Sammy Cahn posing sans shirt? Bizarre!

The interviews are often very funny and sometimes border on the irreverent, so this isn't some kitchy Hollywood cream-puff book. Yet, though it all, you can tell that Fantle and Johnson have deep admiration and respect for the clasic stars they interview.

Rich Whiteside is a fellow UCLA family member so I do hold some bais. He is a rare talent and a quiet professional who focuses on results rather than ego. He is a man of character. "The Screenwriting Life" is an unflinching look into the reality of what it is like to trade daydreams for dollars. Being a working screenwriter in Hollywood I thought I had a little bit of insight. This book cleared up the fog and sharpened my approach. If you ever get a chance to meet the author, first thank him for serving our fine United States in his former career as one of our country's elite. Secondly, thank him for making you a better screenwriter through awarness and truth. I surely will.

I haven't had a chance to read it, but I met the guy when he did a presentation at our school. I want to be a screenwriter, so I found him very interesting. I can't wait to read this book.

I met Rich Whiteside (and Paul Castro and Lew Hunder) when I was in the Screenwriting program at UCLA. Since I knew Rich, I bought the book as soon as it hit the shelves. Then life got hectic, I put it on my bookshelf and forgot about it. I recently took it down and started reading it and it's completely blown me away! It's the most honest book about the industry I have ever read. I wish I had read this book when I first bought it, as it would have made my life as a screenwriter a heck of a lot easier! It's brilliant and I highly recommend you not only buy a copy, but READ it from cover to cover. And keep it around to re-read later. Rich, this is brilliant work, my friend. Kudos to you!

This book doesn't get bogged down in the authors own ideas about careers. Instead, he offers insightful interviews with many people in the different screenwriting fields. Sitcoms, longform, and feature writing interviews convey the life and experiences of their respective areas and helps the reader decide if that is truly an area they want to enter. All the interviews suggests what avenues may give new writers the best start into that area.

"The Screenwriting Life" is an excellent, well-organized primer that dispels many romantic notions of what it takes to achieve success as a screenwriter in Hollywood today. Rich's insightful interviews with some of the leading creative forces in the entertainment industry reinforce the point that good writing alone is not enough. "The Screenwriting Life" is an indispensable guide to the political realities of Hollywood.

I will be brief. This book is not only informative and interesting but, exteremely fun to read. To get into the mind of a genius like Jerry Garcia, to learn how Jimi Hendrix played that solo that you could never figure out. Things like that are the coolest thing that could happen to a person (while reading).

Would you like to know how Chuck Berry started playing? What kind of strings did Eric Clapton use in the early 70's? How Eddie Van Halen learned to play? Suffer no more, this grat book answers all the questions any guitar lover could think of. From Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray; from Duanne Eddie to Alan Holdsworth, this 40 masters of the guitar reveal some of their secrets, techniques, tips or simply talk about life in this great compilation of interviews conducted by top journalists from Guitar Player Magazine. Most of the interviews range from 1970 to the early 90's. The book has a very nice white cover, with black and white texts and a picture of every player interviewed. Of course one would love color pics, but then the price would go up. My only complaint with this book is that it is too short and features none of the blues greats (They mention why in the intro, though) and maybe that some interviews could seem far too old for the average modern player. You can consider Conversations... as a bible of the modern electric guitar (though Segovia and other acoustic players are featured). If you are into Blues-Rock-Jazz or play guitar, you can't let this one pass.

I will be brief. This book is not only informative and interesting but, exteremely fun to read. To get into the mind of a genius like Jerry Garcia, to learn how Jimi Hendrix played that solo that you could never figure out. Things like that are the coolest thing that could happen to a person (while reading).

Secrets from the Masters is a real treasure for guitar players, amateurs and pros alike. It collects forty interviews from the entire run of Guitar Player Magazine, and you're more than likely to find your favorite players in here, since over the years the magazine interviewed the leading guitarists from the full spectrum of styles; in this book you'll find interviews with the greats of classic rock and blues rock like Jeff Beck, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton and George Harrison; more modern players like The Edge and Billy Gibbons; rock n' roll pioneers like Chuck Berry and Carl Perkins; solo virtuosos like Steve Vai, Joe Satiriani and Yngwie Malmsteen; masters of country music Chet Atkins and Les Paul; some jazz greats like Wes Montgomery, Pet Metheny and John McLaughlin; masters like Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler and Jerry Garcia; and even classical guitar genius Andres Segovia. There are even a few surprising, less widely appreciated masters like acoustic master Michael Hedges; funk/jazz/rocker Vernon Reid of Living Color; and The Police's Andy Summers, a fantastic and little appreciated fusion musician by his own right. Only a few major names are missing, notable ones including Brian May, Prince and Ritchie Blackmore.

Each of these master musicians offers here insight into his music, into his style, technique, and his very approach to the guitar, his playing methods, his compositions and his take on the guitar as an instrument and as a concept, and often into his personality and personal history as well. It's a fascinating read for any guitar player (especially those in the rock/blues vein) as well as for any music lover, though they may not get as much from it as those with a professional interest, who's bound to get some interesting notions and ideas, as well as lots of useful practical advice. That makes it both a great read and an immense well of knowledge for players. Secrets from the Masters is a perfect gift book for guitar players and guitar aficionados, an unsurpassable book that will earn an honorary place on your bookshelf. Guitar players - Secrets from the Masters is not to be missed.

This 1992 book is a collection of interviews with famous guitarists - primarily rock and jazz guitarists from the 60s, 70s and 80s. There are some big names missing, but most are there. There are some interesting insights and anecdotes, and some music history. Sometimes I wished the interviews would get more a little more technical - rather than re-hashing the stars band-hopping history. I would like to know more specifics about how these top players view the neck, how they think and how they learnt, for example. That said, the book does contains a lot of insights and variety. I particularly enjoyed the interviews with Steve Morse and Howard Roberts -- guitarists that I was not previously familiar with. Les Paul is incredible. Actually - there are just too many good bits to itemize them here. A good read, and each chapter stands alone. I find that I re-read parts of this from time to time. Worth buying, for a classic rock/jazz (and possibly blues) oriented guitarist.

I received this book recently, and couldn't put it down until after I perused every page. This book is a remarkable compilation of photos and stories of the rich history of descendants of slaves who planted an indelible mark of courage, perseverance, strength and faith into the lives of everyone and anyone who's ever lived in Spartanburg or surrounding areas. I was born in Spartanburg over 50 years ago, and never knew about the rich heritage and traditions of some of the people who raised and nurtured me during the primary years of my life. This book ignited wonderful memories of the matriachs/patriachs-- who lived in Tobe Hartwell Extension where I lived with my mother, brother and sister--who watched out for your safety. I graduated from Mary H. Wright Elementary, and spent a summer in band practice at the beloved Carver High School just prior to relocating to NY. A few years later, Urban Renewal came in and completely transformed not just my old neighborhood, but the only community I've ever known. Thanks to Beatrice Hill and Brenda Lee for re-planting in our hearts the memories of our beginnings, for re-paving the pain and loss of a thriving and successful African American community, for the rehabilitation of all the parts, pieces and past that they so eloquently portray in this book. Undoubtedly, your heart will be full, page after page, when you read this book. Thanks to Beatrice and Brenda for the gift of the restoration of a historical treasure in my lifetime! M. Drake

This book has truly been a blessing for me. When I received the book in the mail - I could not put it down. I read the book in one sitting.

My late parents were both born and raised in Spartanburg. My father's military career kept him traveling around this country and other parts of the world so my brothers and sisters and myself only knew of Spartanburg through visits. We lived in Spartanburg for one year while our father was stationed in Korea so I don't remember a lot about Spartanburg. I have been attempting to do some research of both sides of my family in Spartanburg. This book has reignited that spark for me to continue.

This book shed a piece of information about my family that I was not aware of and all the rich history of the "South of Main" area that is a must know for all, especially for the black people near and far who have roots in Spartanburg.

God Bless you and thank you Beatrice, Brenda and Raymond for a job well done.

I was anxious to receive my copy of South of Main and my waiting was not in vain. I'm truly Blessed to have come from these roots and be able to claim my portion of such an uplifting heritage. Once, I picked up the book, it was so hard to put it down. I fell asleep a couple times only to wake up with it lying on my chest, ready to dive back into the words that jumped out at me giving me the feeling of being in Spartanburg as a child again. I want to thank all of you who took the time and energy to publish this book. It's very educational and will serve as a source of knowledge for the children and future offsprings that
reside in Spartanburg.

I was very intrigued with all the information about the South side of Spartanburg. I lived there from age 9 until age 17 after I graduated from Carver High. I was not aware of how the area began. Neither was I aware of the role that some of the residents played in establishing the neighborhood. I am looking forward to a sequel to the book that will tell the story of some of the other people that played an important part in establishing the city.

Okay, I'm a tad prejudiced because I'm a native of Spartanburg, SC (the city studied in this book) and I have family members whose photos appear, but I'll keep it objective.

Basically, this is a case study of a Black neighborhood formed by ex-slaves in the above-mentioned city. In spite of Jim Crow, a narrowly-averted race riot in 1917 (described in one oral history by 97-year old Ms. Harriet Dawkins) and attempt to sabatoge their education, these people manage to build a thriving, self-contained community known as the Southside, with it's own hospital, hotel, movie theater, restaurants, Red cross, Boy Scouts, etc. Sort of the (early) Harlem of South carolina's upstate. The book is filled with pictures and oral histories that cover all this.

One particularly inspiring story tells the tale of Cedar Hill Academy. When the School superintendant tries to reduce the level of courses in the city's Black schools in the 1910s, local parents and educators break away and form their own Cedar Hill Academy.

Then in the late 1960s and early 70s, urban renewal comes in and under the guise of promises of better homes, the city all but destroys the Southside. No wonder Dick Gregory has referred to urban renewal as "Negro removal." For the record, the Southside neighborhood and most of its schools still exist, although most of the businesses are gone.

Variations of this story can be told of many other such neighborhoods and cities, and South of Main does a good job as a case study of urban renewal/Negro removal. The large number of oral histories and photos and stories of the Southside's heyday really helps to personalize what many Black neighborhoods were about in the Jim crow era, which is becoming a distant memory.

However, I like the fact that the book does not fall into the foolish trap that some other books of this time do in going too far into glorifying the Jim Crow era. The book makes clear the obstacles that the residents faced in those days and should offer hope for the current generation to escape it's crisis. But all in all, Black history and urban studies fans will find this a worthwhile purchase.

Incidentally, another book that covers some information not included in this about Spartanburg's Black history is "Things Hidden" by Dwain Pruitt which is avaiable mostly in Spartanburg and "Hub City Music Makers," which includes some more information of the "Sparkle City's" major contributions to Black musical history and is also available on Amazon.

I am sorely distressed that this publication is out of print and hope that it comes back into print soon.
This is truly the most refreshing, helpful, and positive publication dealing with the sensitive, distressing situation of childhood abuse and the worries victims/survivors have of the trauma continuing indefinitely and/or of the possibility of their continuing the cycle of abuse.
IMHO, every survivor of childhood abuse, and everyone who loves someone dealing with the aftermath of this situation should run, do not walk, to order their copies...no matter how hard they are to find.
thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU, Linda Sanford for finally getting it right!

As a professional in the psychology field, each year I present at conferences on the effects of sexual abuse and how educators and counselors can be helpful to survivors. After each speaking engagement, there are people who come forward with comments about their own abuse histories and resulting struggles. When they ask for resources, I always recommend this book. It is very well written with empathy and intelligence, and a refreshing lack of psychobabble. Nothing short of a classic!

-Sharice Lee, Author of "The Survivor's Guide"-

I read this book in 1993, in my mid-40's, and it was transformational in putting into perspective the reasons why my life took the path it did, and it gave me the awareness for self-healing and a fulfilling life. It reads easily, and explains circumstances in a straightforward, no-nonsense way. "It's not your fault."

Words cannot express how greatly this book has affected me. For the first time in my life I actually feel a sense of hope! I didn't know that survivors existed! If you have experienced severe childhood trauma, THIS IS THE BOOK YOU NEED TO READ! I will not stop searching until I can get my own copy!

This book helped me understand myself. I can now begin to heal with the help of therepy and close friends because of the impact this book had on me. A must read for those who have suffered child abuse.

This one-of-a-kind oral history makes fascinating reading. It's full of anecdotes and innuendo, cameraderie and competition, in the words of the musicians themselves. The intent of Gitler's book is to document the shift in the 1940s away from the popular form of swing jazz to the more complex, more personal bop style. The stories of life on the road, the "cutting contests" of musicians trying to outdo one another off the bandstand, and the personal stories of struggle and discrimination, bring the era to life in a way that no scholarly book can match. Most of the great musicians are here, and it's fun to read them jostling about on the page trying to set the record straight, according to their lights. Maybe not the best first book on jazz, but if you're already a fan this should definitely be your next one.

If you enjoy this book, as I know you will (read the reviews!), you must also read "The Jazz Word" by Dom Cerulli et al (1960), available from Amazon.

If you have the liner note, PBS special, quickstep history of Jazz in your mind, you need to read this book. Bop may have been led by Gillespie, Parker, Monk,Powell, and Roach, but it came to fruition because it reflected ferment, not just in society, but ferment among the musicians that produced it, and change not only in the music, but in their lives. This book documents that change, not just in music but in the life styles, impressions, and experiences of the musicians, some famous, some not so famous, some who went to Bop, some who stayed with swing.

The whole mid 1940s Jazz scene is one that many, if not most, Jazz lovers are ignorant of beyond the recordings that Bird made. Most people who should read this book will have never heard of Claude Thornhill, or even Woodie Herman. Sadly, there are a lot of folk out there who think they are Jazz lovers who never heard of the "The Birth of Cool."

Dig deep into this book because not only will you know about it and add some dates and people to your history list, but you will see what folks used to call THE BIG CHANGE documented in the real lives of real women and men. Of course, after you read this, you are going to be searching Amazon for the sounds the people here made.

Number one is to get anything done by McShann in the 1940s. After that, The Birth of Cool. You need the best of the many compilations of Woodie's Three-Brothers herd. You will know what that means by then!

This fascinating book presents an oral history of the evolution from the structures of Swing to the innovations of bebop, as it developed through night-long jam sessions, the mentoring of musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, and the classic recordings of Gillespie, Bird, Monk, Powell, et al.

While Gitler describes what is unique about bop, he also shows how its seeds can be found in the much earlier work of jazz musicians, most notably Lester Young's solos within the pared-down arrangements of the Count Basie band.

All of this is done through interview transcriptions with such jazz giants as Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Jay McShann, Dexter Gordon, and many more. They furnish insights into and first-person accounts of bop's development, along with a collection of anecdotes variously hilarious and poignant. The oral history reads easily, partly because Gitler wisely leaves enough room for each musician to speak, and because he links the narratives together with brief but helpful comments.

An excellent book for either the student of jazz or the casual reader; "Swing to Bop" is a revealing account of the musicians' culture and the improvisations on a form that coalesced into bop. With 12 pages of photographs and a useful index.

Wow! The 1940's must have been an exciting time to be a jazz musician with Dizzy and Bird innovating wherever they went. Early on are the influences of Pres (Lester Young), Coleman Hawkins, and Charlie Christian and countless other. The comradeship and competition at Milton's and Monroe's clubs, on 52nd street or after hours at apartments such as Mary Lou Williams was a very fertile environment. Not many could keep up with Bird, and they acknowledge that some of the cuts were to keep lesser talented musicians from sitting in. Gitler weaves these interviews together so skillfully that at times in seems the musicians are talking to each other.

The stories on the road are often funny, but also sad; segregation, discrimination, and drug use. Some musicians emulated Charlie Parker's drug use so they could "play like bird". Gitler begs the question with the statement "in spite of (or because?) (of the drugs) ... a great music was made". As an aside, what other index can you find reference to both Nietzsche and Alan Greenspan?