Chris Rock Books

This field-guide AND textbook, my version is from circa 1993, is in organization and presentation, the best that I have ever seen since the 1950's... begining of my geology and mineral collecting interests.

The English geoscientists are the BEST in the world in their presentation and love of what they are researching. This is a classical-type of English field guide book in modern expose', that deserves the "right" for CONTINUED publication. Its application (use) is world wide...! Amatures and Experts alike!!!

I am a dedicated teacher like my English colleagues, and I would like to have an "unlimited number" of free-copies to just simply to GIVE AWAY...

Dr Lee Plansky, BS, MSci, PhD

Member American Geophysical Union, German Society of Metallurgists and Mining Engineers; and, Professor at large... Univ. Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID USA. 1530 Falcon Drive, Idaho Falls Idaho, USA. 83406, Tel 208-522-1020, EMAIL: planets@srv.net.

October 17, 2003

God Bless those who are captivated and "lost"... in God's creation of the Earth, and its wonders, including amazon.com... :)

October 17, 2003

I thought that Mick Jagger's review was the best because he showed me that doing what u love to do as a hobbie (or job) is as good as life can get.

SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL, the title says it all. This book is a great collection of black and white photographs of musicians(Madonna, Paul McCartney, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Elvis etc.) caught either getting high, drunk or stoned, buck naked, or with parts of their anatomy hanging out.

A mid-sized book that was first published in 1985, with a second volume in 1988. In 1993, the two volumes were combined into one book and this is it. No text, just identifying labels as to who the celebrity is and the photographs are arranged in categories like "Let's Get Good and Drunk", "The Hosepipe Syndrome(men wearing tight pants so you can see which way it's hanging)", "Mooning", "Smokin' Da Herb, Mon" etc.

I regret that I didn't buy the issue with Chris Rock and Maya Angelou on the cover. I picked up the one with Jay-Z on it because I was trying to figure out who the light-skinned lady was: hey, Alicia Keys. I knew what these two had in common and low and behold, I saw the word Africa at the bottom. Even though I enjoyed the different covers, I don't understand why Bush and Condoleeza were on there at all; doesn't he have have an oil war to finish and her shoe shopping during a national crisis should be about now, right?
Enough with my political opinions. I have to give much respect for this magazine for covering such a huge issue, especially in the Motherland. I am enjoying reading the historical issues in Africa, as well as what is being done about the HIV/AIDS situation. But, my review this round is about that fool Chris Rock. I was having the worst day on the planet at work today, and I browsed through this magazine on lunch figuring I should read about someone who's really going through something. I flipped to the page with his article on "The Ugly African American" and laughed hysterically through the whole thing. My pod thought I was losing my mind but I made copies of Chris's article so they could read it too and they fell out laughing. I copied that article and passed it out to my buddies at work and they copied it and so on and so forth. Only Chris Rock could make such a serious subject seem so hilarious, and he still made sure it was informative. When he said he snatched the lollipop, my stomach hurt. I love him! Absolutely love him!

A book deserving of its brandname- SuperTopo. The topos are well,... super. Chris and the SuperTopo crew have distilled down a selection of climbs that you can't go wrong with. It includes solid information and superb history by locals or often from the main-man himself of Yosemite Golden Age history, Steve Roper. Anecdotes, approach and retreat information, anchor conditions, and pitch-by-pitch detailed topos that are really accurate elevate Yosemite Ultra Classics to a new level in guidebook making. Granted, it doesn't have all the climbs that are good in Yosemite, but it is one hell of a start covering all the ranges, except the most extreme ratings. For a few dollars, this is either a great book on its own to get you started on the Valley or a useful expansion to the Reid guides.

The book takes us from Chuck's beginnings as an insecure kid who played hookie from school to spend the day at home alone rather than face class, through his basketball years, to his life as the guy we all knew (or thought we knew). Everything from an exploding penis from too much groupie poking, to the nightmarish world of total heroin addiction (which lasted a full 20 years), I found his story quite readable, and rarely boring. I don't think I skipped over a word in the book. As has been said before, it is an absolute wonder that the man still breathes.

Three Dog Night was one of my all-time favorite groups so I decided to read Chuck's story. I had no idea that his life turned out to be so chaotic, to put it mildly. Chuck talks about his story from a teenager, to doing drugs sometimes, to becoming a full-blown heroin addict, to the point where he was using just to keep from being sick. He has an amazing memory for detail, for about 70% of the book details his drug-using days. He is truly a success story, encouraging others to get clean and speaking to groups for free. Getting clean helped him realize how much he loved to sing and performs currently with a band of his own. I'm sorry to see that all members of Three Dog Night are currently not on good terms, for they were truly a fantastic group! I liked the book because he confronted the reasons why he did what he did - using drugs, and as a result, alienated his friends and family; he didn't make excuses for his behavior - he took full responsiblity for it and didn't blame anyone for his actions. He was an addict who succumbed to drugs and was lost for many many years till he entered a 9-month rehab program that finally brought him back to life. The book was very well written and is truly a success story.

Three Dog Nightmare The Continuing Chuck Negron Story is the most powerful and incredible story you will ever read. If you think living the life of a famous Rock and Roll Star is all glamorous you are so wrong. If you or someone you know is a drug addict or alcoholic and you think all hope is lost. Then you definitely need to read this book. The fact that Chuck Negron lives today to tell his story is a true miracle. The courage and strength that it had to take to open up his life in this book makes him the most respected person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and meeting.
I get so upset with people that make comments like oh look how they wasted their lives on drugs and alcohol. Why do they do that, Why don't they just quit, how could they do that in the first place. Because it isn't a choice. It's an addiction and it only takes some people one time to try it before they are hooked. Most people don't know that it can also be genetic and handed down from a family member like a father or grandparent. It's part of your chemestry make up from the day you are born. Even if your own Mother and Father never drank a day in their life. How much do you really know about your family history?

Chuck does a great job in this book explaining what it really means to be a junkie. He also explaines the difference between some people that can be social drinkers and the difference between those that have additive personalitys. Those are the ones that get hooked and get hooked fast! Again that can all be caused as a part of your genetic make up by being born with and addictive personality or born an alcoholic.

If you don't think so, ask someone you know that smokes ciggerettes and has cancer or lung disease and ask them why they don't quit or why did they do that, or how could they mess their lives up like that. I'll tell you why, Cause Nictoine is a drug and it is an addiction. The addictivness of it is no different then the addiction of any other drugs or alcohol. I know cause Im addicted nicotine in ciggerettes and I have lung disease. It's not a choice once your addicted. It's pathetic that I still smoke to this day and I can't quit. I've tried hypnosis and everything. It's not just a physical addiction it's a physcological addiction.

It's always easy for people to judge when they have never walked in another person's shoes. What our country really needs is alot more awareness and education on drugs and alcohol addiction. Most people don't even know that you can be born an alcoholic and never drink a day in your life. Your born with it. They can even do brain wave test on children to see if they are born alcoholics and most people don't know that either. That's why we need more education and awareness about it. Chuck more then anyone has really made that very clear in this book. He shows just how little people know about it and how little they understand it. Because no one in their right mind that had everything to gain and had everything they could want like he did would ever throw it away for a life like he lived as an addict and a junkie.

I know that God is the only reason that Chuck is alive. He has a purpose in life. If you think it didn't take a lot of courage and strength for him to open his life up to the whole world. Then take a good moral inventory of your own life and see how much you would be willing to tell someone in order to save a life. Would you ever open up your life about something your not proud of that you did wrong to save someone's life? Not to many people would. Chuck has opened a very dark side of his life to the world in hopes of saving others from one of the worst things in life and that's drug addiction. God Bless you chuck!

Just remember that the life that he save's, might be your own or someone you love. So I hope that everyone will read this book so you will know the signs and know what and what not to do to save a loved one. I hope that it will find you wanting to research alot more on it so you will have more awareness and educate yourself on it.

chuck, Thank you so much for opening up some of the most painful part's of your life in this book in effort to help others. You are truly a gift from God and a True Inspiration.

Martina Campbell - 04/06/2008

This book should be required reading for everyone. Whether your are an addict, recovering addict, family member or friend of an addict, or even none of the above you should read this. If not an addict this book will help you understand what these people go though, that most are really desperate to get out of this life style and just how hard it is to get out. If you are an addict it will let you know that no matter how far down you fall, if you want it bad enough there is always a way up, there is always hope, don't give up.

A most read for all fans and any one in a band. I met Chuck a year after reading the book and had him sign it. What a nice guy.

This is the funniest book I've ever read. I started reading it in the store and couldn't put it down. So I found a comfortable chair and read it straight through in one sitting. A great gift for anyone.

Chris Rock isn't just funny.He makes remarkable and illuminating observations about class and race in this book, which is mostly a written version of his best stand-up. Which is of course extremely funny, but a lot of Rock's talent comes from his unique take on all kinds of issues and his ability to enlighten his audience when they think they're just getting comedy. If you buy the book you'll see what I mean.

This is pertains to some portions of the book. Most actually. Other aspects of his comedy are just funny, and although they are generally not as strong, they're still really good. If you doubt Chris Rock's formidable talent, this is the book that will erase that doubt. His remarkable contribution to American comedy is very well demonstrated in this compilation of his best material. Even though some might argue that Rock's delivery is what makes him so funny, seeing how funny his words still are in print makes it hard to believe that his talent is in performance. It's mostly in his material. His performance is just icing on the cake.

I've re-read it many times, so it's worth buying. I'll wait a year or so and then reread it and it's just as funny as it was the first time. Definitely worth it for Chris Rock fans and those who aren't-but will be after reading the book.

I am reading a lot of my older books again, so I decided to read ROck this again. It was ok, the usual sterotypes of a lot of comics. I'm not really a big fan of Chris Rock, but if you are, I am sure you will love this book.

I read the first 100 pages, and that was enough for me. The comments on racism could have been thought provoking, but seem to imply all Caucasians have to apologize for being "white." One chapter discusses how "whites can't tell blacks apart," but Mr. Rock lumps all "whites" into one category, ignorant of the racism and persecution many "whites" have endured, and not all come from the same place and status. By the time he got to talking about doctors and how they shouldn't be paid, I was finished. I can hear racist rants anywhere; just because this is couched in the guise of comedy, it makes it no less of a prejudiced, racist view. Mr. Rock openly admits it is racist, but assumes people will find it amusing and enlightening. I found it to be neither. The sociology of race has been written about in more interesting, engrossing texts; I'll stick to those.

Chris Rock book is hilarious. It is filled with things that teenagers can relate to. There are lots of things in this book that will have you bust out in laugher. Chris Rock includes in his book about why white people can't use the N word. This book has everthing the good old days, O.J, Clinton, and the problem with living in the ghetto. I would recommend this book to any one who loves to read comedy. I read a few pages to my friends and they went out and bought a copy for them selves. This book is perfect to read on a plane, bus, on when you have free time. And if you dont have the book yet I suggest you go out and buy it now.

Great book. As an amateur rock hound, this book gives me lots of pretty pictures to look at. I have most of DK's books in every subject that interests me. They're all a home run in my book. I love this publisher.

Good Rock Hound reference book. References about all of the named materials that one would like to look up.Presents loads of photographs of raw material as well as finished gemstones and cabochons.

I am enjoying this book and its the perfect size for a purse or front pocket of bag.

Great Book...full of useful information. The pictures really give you an indepth but brief description of the item discussed. This book is absolutely essential to the amature hobby collectors out there.

I bought this for my 7-yr. old daughter - budding rock hound and naturalist! Like other DK books, the photography is luscious and the layout is casual and very inviting - full of beautiful images.

It provides a great overview of rocks and minerals, including tools used to find them, the different characteristics and where specific types of rocks and minerals can be found. It also provides detailed "specifics" such as classification, occurence and cleavage - as appropriate.

This is a thoroughly engaging book for all ages and it is highly recommended.

The pictures in the book are so incredible and definitely bring you back to XO times. It took me awhile to finally buy it, but I would not hesitate. This is a great purchase!

Coming from Autumn De Wilde, This book gets as close as it gets to Elliott Smith's photographical side. There are a lot of formal dedications including a foreword by Beck. I also enjoyed the 4 song live CD that was included with the book. I wish the CD had more tracks on it.

This Elliot Smith book is really cool. It has tons and tons of pictures, but not a whole lot of text. It also comes with a awesome live cd with around five songs.

It breaks my heart to see the less-than-stellar reviews...this book is beautiful, amazing, and breathtaking. The interview with Ashley Welch is heartbreaking in every positive and negative sense of the word. Incredibly moving book and I'm extremely pleased that de Wilde decided to publish it. the photos that I hadn't seen immediately put a grin on my face especially the "candid" shots of Elliott showing his lighter side...photos that every fan [and non-fan, for that matter, considering how many times I've heard people describe him and his music as "depressing"] needs to see.

Elliott Smith was perhaps the greatest Indie singer/songwriter of his generation. His unresolved murder/suicide at the age of 34 in 2003 catapulted him into iconic status. It abruptly ended a career that had begun to take off. Autumn DeWilde shared a personal friendship as well as a professional working relationship with Smith, released Elliott Smith, which is basically a series of intimate and touching conversations between Elliott's close friends and family that we have the privilege to listen(read) in on. Many speaking for the first time since his death. Because DeWilde was a personal friend of Elliott's, I think that we have to respect the fact that this is her book, not ours. It is going to read more like she is relating to Elliott because she knew him, and not just an informal biography about Elliott. After understanding that it is easier to appreciate and understand the book's perspective. Complementing the text are glossy black and white and color photographs that DeWilde shot of Smith throughout his career. Extremely fascinating and revealing, this book provides a unique perspective into the man whose music many have come to appreciate and love. DeWilde directed Smith's Son of Sam music video, and shot the cover art for his fifth album Figure 8. For a man many know only too well through his music, this book brings a fascinating "behind the scenes" perspective to his life. Besides his music, this is perhaps as close to the man that we will come to know. Reading about his friends and family talk about Smith, you begin to feel like you knew him as well, that you're sharing stories with old friends reminiscing about the night before he appeared on national television for the Oscars, the stories behind the music, or specific conversations that you had. Like his music, this book is a collection of memories, priceless memories. For those unfamiliar with his work, this book will not be as powerful or interesting as it will be for fans. Smith was a complex artist and human being, his personal life and music were not separate, they were one. This is not a biography on Smith, it is a series of conversations and interviews between Smith's closest friends and family. For fans familiar with his music, this book is a must have. I walked away after reading this book with a ton of information that I didn't know before. Considering that I never knew him personally, I even felt like I understood him a (little) better. The beautiful photographs alone are worth the price of the book, containing never before seen images of Smith. Haunting portraits that capture the man in all his glory; the photo shoot from the Figure 8 cover shooting; even handwritten lyrics on the backs of receipts. Yet we also get a series of revealing interviews and conversations that begin to flesh out the man and gives deeper insight into the life of this deeply troubled and gifted artist. The book is a celebration of their friendship and perhaps brings some closure to their relationship as well. I respect that, and I think we are fortunate DeWilde chose to share these at all. Thanks. DeWilde lets us in on this event. Looking at the haunting and beautiful images of Smith, there are many images that come to mind. Silently looking at Smith, you can hear his music playing in the background. This book because it leaves you with a tasted wanting more. Among those interviewed are: Beck Hanson, Ben Gibbard, Chris Walla, Autumn De Wilde, Joanna Bolme, Sam Coomes, Neil Gust, Ashley Welch, Margaret Middleman, Larry Crane. It is no secret that Elliott Smith lived a troubled life. I feel that this book gives you just enough without getting overly personal with respect to Elliott Smith and his family and the problems that he had in regards to drug abuse/depression. I think that this book could have gone a certain way in violating his privacy and instead it shows a tremendous amount of respect. I know that it is the gritty details that are the most fascinating, but I think that there is a fine line to respecting what someone else would like and what people are comfortable talking about. This book balances that perfectly. Contained within the book is a previously unreleased compact disc recording of Elliott Smith "Live at Largo" in Los Angeles. Contains four tracks: Angeles, Between The Bars, Clementine, Clouds(Quasi cover), All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down(Hank Williams Jr. cover). Intimate, touching, fascinating, and perhaps like his music- timeless. Recommended.

I've read many biographies of rock personalities and other famous people. This one is better than most. It provides a balanced viewpoint with input from varying sources. A good read for Gram Parsons fans.

A superb book on Gram Parsons. It probes the genius and vulnerability of this great talent. I, for one appreciate the authors in-depth telling of this man's life. One can only imagine the even greater impact he would have had on the music world had his life not been cut so drastically short. It is a true loss for everyone.

This book starts REALLY slowly!!! It digs really deeply into Gram's family ..... generations before he's born. I'm sure the stories about his well-to-do family was meant to add background to his own messed-up personality. But it was really boring. The book picks up when Gram finally gets out and starts making music.

This is an amazing book for anyone who is interested in music from the 50s - 70s.
While reading I suggest you listen to the music discussed to truly appreciate the details and evolution of Gram's contribution to American music. enjoy!

I've already read the Ben Fong-Torres bio, as well as the Sid Griffin bio.....now, while I am not a Gram-o-phile, I am most definitely a Nez-head. And based on the countless errors I am reading about Mike Nesmith, I wonder just how much research went into this book?

1) "Nesmith...the iconic Monkee, the one who could actually play his instrument." Never mind that Peter Tork was a clasically trained pianist, French horn player and FAR better guitarist than Nesmith...

2) Red Rhodes was "a regular contributor to ex-Monkee Michael Nesmith's country-rock First National Band." Hmmm...seems he ought to have been *in* the band with all of those contributions....oh wait....he was.

3) David Barry "played piano on Michael Nesmith's Country Time Records recordings." They served a lot of lemonade during those sessions, apparently. It was Countryside Records.

4) Red Rhodes "played on Elvis Presley's records." Let's name them:

5)Red Rhodes was the CMA's "Steel Guitar Player of the Year from 1965 through 1968." Close...but Red did not win in 1966. Ralph Mooney and Tom Brumley shared the award that year.

That many omissions on some sidebars to the main story make me wonder how many omissions are in the main story itself.