Rock The Books

... I will always keep a library of Linda's books. This is my favorite of her Linda Devlin books, and ties with being my all-time favorite by this author with No Angel's Grace - which I read once a year. Keep those fingers flying, Linda. And if you use yet another pen name, please let all us fans know so we can snatch up your books. Linda will never let you down in the way she builds her characters. They are persons of strength and loyalty, though every one vastly different. She has a true gift! You will never forget Daniel Cash and he'll always hold a special place in your heart! Get it, read it, keep it!

Cash, the runt, at five-eleven? What a nasty tempered yet heart-broken son of a gun.

This just had to be. The only one that could tame this renegade had to be the one that broke his heart. And give him a family.

Nadine at 32, is certainly his woman, and Cash at 33, refuses to be her man. Too dangerous, to much of a reputation to live down, too much of a killer.

Yet you could still see that he hadn't killed his soul, yet. He had been under the influence of the other Rock Creek five. Bonded loyalty and constant friendship kept all six men from destruction. The tales of the Rock Creek Six should become classics -- Hey guys, where are the movies [although they would be hard to cast].

Nadine and JD ended up turning Daniel Cash's life upside down.
With some help from Jed and Hannah, little Fiona, Sullivan and Eden's daughter and JD's ambitions.

I will say I was disappointed not to find that that darn tub was not made of gold. chuckle! chuckle!

Great characters, Great stories, just great all the way around -- enough beer to go with the froth in Cash -- great way to end? the Rock Creek Saga [more please]

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- fantastic keepers. Try them you will definitely like them.

The Rock Creek 6 is an innovative literary undertaking. It's about 6 soldiers in a special civil war unit, all of whom have emotional scars that they must heal. Lori Handeland wrote 3 books incl.the Nate and Reese stories; Linda Devlin wrote 3 incl the finale hero, Daniel Cash. I liked the story line LD chose for Cash, but I never quite got to like Cash himself. He was less authentic and less reachable than the other rock creek heros. In fairness to Cash, I prefer LH's writing style over LD's which could be part of my problem with the book. At any rate it is wonderful to see these 6 tougher than tough men governed by loving wives and babies all around them. Truly heartwarming.

Cash is the final installment in the Rock Creek Six series, about a band of six former Confederate soldiers who have only their bond of loyalty to each other... until one-by-one... they overcome their troubled pasts to find a future in love.

Daniel Cash is the deadliest one of the bunch. He excells at womanizing and gambling, and has a well-known and well-deserved name as a gunfighter. Hurt deeply by the woman he once loved, his bitterness toward "nice" girls spills over into everything he does and is reflected in the cold lifelessness of his eyes. But, throughout the series, the reader gets glimpses of something deeper: his loyalty to friends, his sense of humor, and his pained heart. In the book, Cash, he finally finds peace by facing his past - in the flesh... whether he likes it or not - and learning that he doesn't have to face the future alone. The climactic confrontation gives a wonderful indepth look at the life of a professional gunfighter and the resulting sacrifices.

It's an enjoyable end to a super western romance series. I just wish there had been more than six!

Wow! I can't believe this series has come to an end. I'm going to miss these guys & their families. At the beginning of this book you meet Nadine who has come to Rock Creek to ask Cash for his help with her son. Nadine is Cash's one & only true love from his past & she arrives with a son that he soon finds out is his own. As Cash & Nadine reveal their secrets they find themselves needing each other once again but Cash is not willing to put them in harm's way by giving them his name. Read the book to find out what happens. You won't be disappointed in this book. You see all the other five from this series in this book quite a bit & it's a wonderful closing to this series. Wish there were more. Read in order Rock Creek Six: #1 Reese #2 Sullivan #3 Rico #4 Jed #5 Nate & #6 Cash. Enjoy!

Brian Epstein's magnificence and decency as a person, and secondly as manager of the Fab Four, is what really comes across in this warm, revealing account of the rise of the Beatles. I really think that had Brian lived, the boys would never have split up. Argued yes, but split, no. Not if Brian would have had his way. His integrity (such as not going back on a contract, even though it would have meant the Beatles could have made a ton more money) makes me respect him highly. One such incident was referenced by the Ed Sullivan show, which was contracted at a measly amount, before the mop tops took America by storm and were commanding much larger contract dollars. It's seemingly rare to find this kind of integrity in the entertainment industry, and probably garners the criticism of those who later said Brian was a 'poor' manager, not getting the Beatles their due share. Maybe true...but I don't think anyone around them loved the boys more than Mr. Epstein. There's a very interesting anecdote about Brian's wavering loyalties at one point. He was so tired of the strain and the 24 hours a day work that came with being the Beatles' manager, that he considered selling his contract with them, for a good amount of cash. When confronting the boys with this idea, they thought he was joking, then realizing he was serious, threatened to pack up and quit if Brian left. Brian's quote in this regard speaks to his admiration and loyalty, in return, to the boys. After telling his prospective dealer that the deal was off, Brian remarked:
'And this was the point. The Beatles are not a deal. They are unique human beings and I believe that even if the whole thing peters out I will always be with the Beatles. I would like to look after them in some way throughout their lives, not because I want a percentage but because they are my friends'.
And a true friend they, and we all, lost when Brian passed.
Thank the stars above he brought them, and their joy, to the world with his unflagging, unwavering hope and belief that the Beatles were, and are, a once in a lifetime 'deal'.
A must read for any Beatle lover.

This is an interesting book, though you'll likely have read the story elsewhere in other Beatles books. But it's from the manager's mouth, so worthy in that regard. Some trivia: When (homosexual) Brian asked the other Beatles what he should title the book, John--with his cruel streak--said, "How about `Queer Jew' or `Cellarful of Boys'" Ridiculously, Lennon's cruel streak made Epstein just more infatuated with John!

Just to counter the praise of Brian Epstein's writing in the review below: Epstein didn't write the book; his and the Beatles' press-man Derek Taylor ghost-wrote it (and he himself said he thinks it would have been better if he hadn't written it so quickly).

Brian Epstein, by writing this book in the middle of the Beatles phenomenon, provides us with a great snapshot in time - a time unlike any other before or perhaps since. Without being conceited (in fact, he reveals in his own words many of his own faults) he provides a fascinating insight into what was probably one of the great judges of pop music talent of the last 30 years. Reading this now, knowing how Brian's life was to turn out, leads one to wonder just what might have been. His style of writing, more conversational and "simpler" than one might have gathered from his outward appearance, makes this an easy and entertaining read and a must for Beatle fans.

This book is probably one of the best books I have ever read. I read it constantly and I never can put it down. It is the most beautifully told story of the early beatles from someone who was actually there. A must for ALL Beatles fans.

Chris used to have a great website called 'Clash City Showdown' a couple of years back... now it's a book! Mr. Knowles rants about many different aspects of the Clash mythology, from what drugs they were on when they recorded 'Sandinista', to why 'Cut the Crap' is well, crap. My only complaint is that 'Clash City Showdown' spends most of its time on the post-'London Calling' era, but Chris's prespective as a fan from the USA who lived thru the band's tough times makes for a good read. He even reviews a few Mescaleros shows as well!

Stop wasting time reading these reviews and put the book in your shopping cart. It's a no brainer. This is a must own for Clash fans.

put your history books away kiddies. if you want to get to the heart of why the clash were called "the only band that matters" you need this book. showdown is not your normal by the numbers account of the history of the clash, instead it is a fan's view of the mythology of the clash, their rise & fall and everything in-between and after. chris writes from an obsessed fans point of view, drawing conclusions and theories about the clash based on personal opinion, historical fact and the clash's own words. you may not agree with all of chris's views or opinions but that is the whole point of this book-to raise constructive discussion, to make the reader develop their own opinions. if you are an old fan of the clash or a new fan wanting to get to the heart of what made them such an explosive force do yourself a favor, skip the blah blah blah heard it all before history books about the clash and get clash city showdown. an added bonus is the original artwork by chris himself. he proves not only to be a talented and passionate writer but a damn fine artist as well. this book certainly will not disappoint-A+++++

This book is a dream for Clash obsessives! There are a few flaws (some editorial mistakes here and there, some bits are repetitive), but overall it's great! Handy bootleg reference guide, great analysis of what made the band tick (and un-tick). I saw Clash II in Dayton Ohio on May 8, 1984, and it was phenomenal...Mr. Knowles really defends Clash II (but not necessarily Cut The Crap), and I have to agree with him. Wish I had a recording of that show! Anyhoo - GET THIS BOOK!

First off, I want to thank Chris for finally, finally putting together this book for all us diehard Clash/Strummer fans and casual ones too. Having been first acquainted with CCS Dispatches in mid 90's many of the articles were familiar to me. Reading them once more in one central place is a true treasure.

While you may not agree with all of Chris's theories, almost all have proven to be true. One comes to mind is his hypothesis that Joe is an ex-hippie turned punk. Many, many readers of that article thought Chris was just way off the mark, but Joe himself told the truth saying without Hippies there would be no Punks and many ideals of former were present in the latter group.

Chris's meanderings in Greenwich Village after Joe's death exactly captured the time of that moment. I too have been to many places that Chris mentioned visiting that day in my younger days searching for bootlegs. The chill in the air, the emptyness of the streets and the hollowness inside me when Joe died, Chris captured just perfectly! I could go on and on, but I'll wrap it up for now and let others give their opinions.

If you can have only 3 Clash/Strummer books, buy this book along with Bob Gruen's photo book and Johnny Green's 'A Riot of Our Own'. You need nothing else!

I have not read the book but have talked with Chris on the telephone on several occasions. I do plan to read the book as soon as it arrives.

Having written many books about child abuse, as well as many stories for the Chicken Soup for the Soul Books; I can tell you this is a very interesting story and one that has been written from the heart. I have heard that the emotion it invokes is well worth the read.

Having been verbally, emotionally sexually and physically abused as a child, I know well the strength it takes to write such a book.

It is not easy trying to tell a story and get the word out to the public about child abuse, or what it does to an adult in their adult years. It takes many hours of work, sometimes years, just to tell a story correctly. Many authors had fallen to the wayside and many stories will never been told because the public will not purchase or support such works. That is why the world continues to be plagued by child abuse

I have much respect for Chris.

I stumbled upon this book title while surfing a Woodstock website. This was an awesome read. It in an anthem for all of us who face demons as we travel the road of life. This is the story of a troubled boy who suffered with an unstable family life and learning disabilities. Religion enters his life, which gives him hope for his future. With plans to enter priesthood, the turmoil of the 60's takes it's toll. Inner struggles cause him to re-examine the direction of his life. I don't want to give away too much. Buy this book !

My nephew wrote this. The Closer's Song is a book that will touch many hearts. I grew up on the "Farm", and it is amazing how after so many years to read about this wonderful place. It was not a palace, but a home with a lot of love. Christopher put in writing a beautiful story about his family life and the struggle to do what he felt was right after all the tragedy of taking a turn down the wrong road. I am very proud of his accomplishments in life, and wish him much success in his future.

Read this book. You will not be disappointed.

My cousin wrote this book. The Closer's Song brings back many memories from my childhood. All the ranges of emotions were captured from the best of times to the worst of times. Everyone I have asked to read The Closer's Song have all been in agreement that the way Christopher crafted this book lent itself to be a common blueprint of everyone's growing up. Christopher recognized that there was a need for all of us to take a deep breath and take a long, hard look at where we have been to appreciate what we have today. I am happy that The Closer's Song not only tells stories of glory that hit our hearts but relates the tragedy of life that touches our souls.

CLOSER'S SONG is a special story and my response to it is deeply personal. It is a spiritual journey that begins when an autistic child realizes his view of the world is different than his peers'. Dyslexia conceals a gifted mind and he finds himself ignored by family, abandoned in classes for the mentally challenged, laughed at and ridiculed by his peers. He is isolated and lonely, and it is within this atmosphere that Jesus calls him to a special mission, one that will go unrecognized for forty years.

He spends that time searching for understanding, first with Francis, his alter-ego, a gregarious and popular teen who introduces him not only to friends and the beauty in the world, but also to drugs and a counterculture that leads to further alienation. He finds peace for a time within the serenity of the parish rectory, deals with his learning disability, and enters the seminary. Instead of finding God, he finds a road filled with potholes and detours that include anti-war demonstrations, pop culture, sex, money, power plays, and finally betrayal at the hands of someone he'd thought to enrich. Gerald's journey is my journey, the story of a million other people entering a new millennium...troubled souls looking for answers to age-old questions, searching for God, hoping the search will not be in vain.

Christopher Cole has overcome dyslexia and he has written a book. As a teacher I find that as inspiring as the journey he relates. The editing challenges were daunting; the few that remain are evidence of a courageous battle...waged and won.

paul howes is the ULTIMATE springfield fan. he hasn't spent hours listening to every syllable springfield ever sang. he has spent his life. and then some. because more than a few of the recordings he disseminates were not released to the public or are parts of tv specials springfield made during 40+ year career.

and his love for dusty and her unique, one of a kind voice is captured in page after page of this healthy tome that devotes itself to her recordings.

even when he doesn't like the performance or the arrangement, he still maintains impartiality and great respect for a woman that was loved, idolized, almost forgotten then reclaimed by her new and old fans from all over the world.

and this book is a perfect reading companion for when you are enjoying one of springfield's wonderful interpretations of a song she made her own.

and the beauty of that--there's more than a few.

This is a great reference book for all of Dusty's recordings. It includes the Where and When of each song she ever recorded.

Paul Howe's excellent book (now in 2nd ed.) is now available for preorder through The Dusty Springfield Bulletin and also through amazon UK. US fans are waiting for amazon to offer it here. PLEASE !!
[...]
Let's Talk Dusty!

Here's what we Dusty fans waited many years for. Several more compilation CD's and a couple more DVD's have been released in the U.S., U.K., Australia and the rest of the world since this comprehensive overview of Dusty's career was published in 2001, so the book is only complete up to that point. No matter, because these pages cover all of the known, individual studio recordings she made, including several alternate versions, album session outtakes and single mixes that have turned up over the years on various collections. There are many live television and radio recordings floating around out there, many of which have yet to see CD or DVD release, but this book is as complete a volume as we could have reasonably hoped for. And the pictures! There are many photos here I had never seen before, making this book even more of a special treat. The casual listener who is only familiar with Springfield for the four or five songs that get endlessly recycled on the radio could probably not care less about this book, but for us rabid fans, this is indispensable. Highly recommended, and nothing in here to disrespect the woman whose real legacy is a catalog of great music, NOT a string of sleazy tabloid stories. Avoid DANCING WITH THE DEMONS, a badly written "biography" which I won't even dignify with a negative review.

Dusty Springfield was a legend in the music industry. She was tough and a perfectionist without apologies. This book is about her music legacy and not about her personal problems with addiction or her sexual orientation. There's more to her person than who or what she sleeps with. Dusty was one of a kind. She died too soon at 59 just when she got awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) on her deathed and died two weeks before her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Sadly, there is one honor that I think she should receive and that is the Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording. If I only had $25,000 dollars to spare, I would do it for Dusty.

Crowded House was one of the best bands I've ever seen, and they made great records, so why didn't they sell millions of records all over the world?

Read this fantastic book--complete with interviews from all the band members--and find out some of the reasons. The book is detailed and raw with emotion because many of the interviews took place right after the band broke up.

It is a sad tale, but not for the reasons you might think.

Overall, it is an excellent read for both hardcore and casual fans alike.

Crowded House was one of the best bands I've ever seen, and they made great records, so why didn't they sell millions of records all over the world?

Read this fantastic book--complete with interviews from all the band members--and find out some of the reasons. The book is detailed and raw with emotion because many of the interviews took place right after the band broke up.

It is a sad tale, but not for the reasons you might think.

Overall, it is an excellent read for both hardcore and casual fans alike.

A great read about a great band that never quite fulfilled its potential. Something So Strong shows that writing and performing wonderful songs is only part of a band's journey. There's also dealing with the music business, and fashion. 'Something So Strong' gets inside the band, tells detailed stories about how the music was created, and also tells the other story: how the music business operates. The band made some mistakes - releasing 'Chocolate Cake' was one of them - but so too did Capitol. It's the best book on how a record is made and marketed since 'Star Making Machinery'.
PS, contrary to what it says here, the book is readily - and cheaply - available through Amazon's UK site amazon.co.uk .

`SOMETHING SO STRONG' by Chris Bourke is arguably the greatest book ever written about a rock band. It is detailed, entertaining and informative. As well, the book is almost impossible to put down. Although the author is clearly a fan, he doesn't dodge around any contentious issues. He seems to have had unfettered access to the individuals involved with Crowded House and that, of course, is always a plus. Any music buff, regardless of whether you're a Crowded house fan or not, will enjoy reading `SOMETHING SO STRONG'. I've read dozens of books about musical groups and this tome is far and away the best. If I have a beef, it's that the Canadian market (where the band was huge) is pretty much ignored. For that you must read `PRIVATE UNIVERSE' by Doole and Twomey.

The ballad of Crowded House, told by Chris Bourke, is entertaining, thanks to the way it was written. What makes this biography so enjoyable is that the author doesn't tiptoe around issues that arose during the band's lifetime. Although Crowded House kept aiming at the US market, the impact that they had in Europe, as well as Australia, is equally important, perhaps even more so, than this. Unlike other reviewers, I don't think it is necessary to label the band as US '2 hit wonders' when clearly they've made an impact elsewhere. Bourke chronicles this struggle well, and top marks go to his research. Great book - must for any Crowdies fan.

Dark Remedy tells of how thalidomide caused the greatest medical disaster in history - but today is enjoying a comeback as a life-saving treatment despite its side effects. Dark Remedy considers how the drug became a nightmare in the 1960s, how it was banned, and how it's receiving new research attention today which may reinstate its use without its side effects. An intriguing medical history.

Dark Remedy by Brynner and Stephens is a rather scary tale of how one person, Dr. Frances Kelsey, may have just saved the people of the United States from a very trajic event in the 1960-61 era. Being a new FDA employee back then, she simply refused to permit its (ie, thalidomide) acceptance for the US (FDA approval) market, and by doing so, prevented one of the worst nightmares that could have occurred in American medical history. Many other countries had already approved the drug for use, and by doing so, suffered consequences most of us are well aware of to this date. For that one fact alone, she certainly deserved the medal given by President Kennedy and many thanks from every American. The book also shows how bullish a pharmaceutical company can be. In 1958, it boldly went through the William Merrill company, so to set up the manufacturing process, as the drug called "Kevadon" back then. We are all very fortunate, that she (Kelsay) had the will and inner guidance not to cave in to all of the pressures of lobbyists of other countries and just say "no." Their approval (other countries, I mean) earlier of this so-called "super safe" sedative caused some of the most grotesque limb malformations imaginable to people-- that totally trusted the medical community at the time. The makers of this product clearly knew the dangers, but in the interest of greed and money, openly chose to ignore the findings. Essentially, doctors and pharmacists were lied to in accepting their literature presented to our FDA. The authors state that metabolism of this product by our bodies generate over 100 byproducts, each capable of doing this or that, and I am not quite sure this is true. However, there is the attempt now to bring the drug back to the FDA for approval for use in "certain" other types of trajic disease states, such as MS or HIV. I can assure you, I have spoken to both CDER and the FDA, and this will happen ONLY if this product verifies properly every sentence they write in the literature and-- proves out as such in every milligram of discovery is verified. Whether Dr. Kelsay was just stubborn, wise, or lucky is irrevalent now, as she IS the person who, ultimately gave the FDA the power that it has today. An event like this often, is the defining moment of such governmental entities. However, the FDA is not without comflicts of interest as you will find out. The voting methods used on products even today, sometimes seem to contradict rationale on both sides of some of the issues troubling approval of certain medicinal products and devices. Rock Brynner and Trent Stephens do an excellent job of keeping the book on task, and full of suspense, describing the tasks done by the pharmaceutical firm to cover all of the little nasty secrets they had earlier hidden, including all of the free samples given to physicians and pharmacists to be handed out like rock candy during Christmas. Some texts I have read try to make a point that only one stereochemical form of the drug is bad, this is not important. The body often will transform between isoforms (R and S), so this is moot to me. If you needed to pick a choice of this trajic story, and the heroic job done by one person to whom we as Americans should be indebted, it is this one. This book is a winner!

As outlined above, this book details the history of thalidomide, including its discovery, introduction into society, harmful effects, withdrawal, and eventual rebirth as a useful medication. It is very interesting and keeps your attention throughout the entire book. I am a physician and learned very much from this book, including some information about the FDA, and even about what thalidomide is used for today. I would say that you should read this book if you have any interest in medical history told in a narrative fashion. It will educate you on a tragic event in history and the amazing effects of medications upon human beings. Great, great, great book!

This short book is a compelling drama, complete with innocent victims, dark villians and compassionate and dedicated heros. But it is no simple account in black and white. Rather it is a textured retelling of the profound human tragedy of Tahlidomide, it's impact on the phamaceutical industry, the FDA's regulatory role, and the pursuit of scientific insight.

It will come as a surprise to many laypeople that Thalidomide, notorious for the extreme birth defects it caused when it burst upon the consciousness of the world in the early 1960s, is now used for the treatment of dozens of conditions. This book details the painful story of Thalidomide's devastation; the greed and indifference of it's corporate promoters; the dilligence and dedication of a handful of doctors who helped curtail it's spread, the tortured legal struggle of it's victims, and the difficult and collaborative process by which scientists discovered it's secrets and are putting it to use to relieve suffering.

The history is recounted on a human scale, making the drama real to the reader. The science, as complex as it is - including molecular structures and the mechanisms of DNA - is articulated in a way that makes it accessible even to the layperson.

I highly recommend it.

I bought this remarkable book last year and have recommended it to several people. I know next to nothing about medicine, so it came as a revelation. When I was a child in the 1960s, this mysterious horror always lurked in the distance, terrifying but incomprehensible. Like nuclear fallout or the mercury poisoning of Minamata, thalidomide was an important symbol of Frankenstein technology, but I didn't read a proper study of the nightmare until I read 'Dark Remedy' last year.

Like many adolescents of my generation, I also enjoyed 'thalidomide jokes'. We thought these were very funny. At the time, I had no understanding of the terrible death and misery the drug inflicted on thousands of children.

Despite the suffering it caused, thalidomide has undergone an amazing 'second act'. Almost unbelievably, the Frankenstein monster has been reborn to do some good. In the 1960s, researches discovered that it could cure the lesions caused by an autoimmune disease called ENL. A decade later, it was found to be very effective for curing the lesions caused by leprosy (Hansen's disease); in fact, it was the only cure. In the 1980s, it was found to be extremely good for treating some of the symptoms of AIDS. It is now used to treat as many as 130 disorders. Who could have imagined that the drug that caused the worst medical disaster of the 1950s could be used to ameliorate the worst medical disaster of the 1980s?

'Dark Remedy' should be read be everyone who is interested in science and health.

If you have a huge collection of unlabeled tapes, this book will help you ID the tape by listing every song played with every song played BEFORE and AFTER it. It's a blast to just leaf through. There isn't another book like it anywhere. You really have to get a copy of this book. It's not like it's an optional purchase. The information in this book is not found anywhere else.

If you are a taper, collector, trader, or just forgot what opened the second set in the last Philly JFK show, then this book is a must. Finally make a setlist for all those unidentified MP3s. Check off what you have to make trading easier. Get goosebumps over one of the transitions you forgot about. Kick yourself for working and not seeing the second night. If you collect you gotta have this or wait for the next one coming soon.

Have you ever looked for that perfect show? Ever wondered how many times "Me & My Uncle" was played? Ever was curious about who all were guests at Dead shows? Do you ever trade Grateful Dead music? If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, this book is a MUST HAVE! It contains setlist from almost every Dead show played from 1965-1995 including helpful timings, "every time played", and "feedback" columns. If you are a Dead trader & you do not own a copy of Deadbase shame on you. It is the bible of Grateful Dead music. Peace.

Have fun, & if you get confused...LET THE MUSIC PLAY!

This is the Baseball Encyclopedia for Grateful Dead tape collectors. No serious collector should be without this wonderful and informative book.

You HAVE GOT TO HAVE this book if you're into live Dead. It is ESSENTIAL. There is no substitute, only knockoffs. Superlatives fail, this book is the be-all and end-all of Dead volumes. GREAT fun to browse through, and CRUCIAL for identifying live Dead shows on tape!!! BUY IT!!! USE IT UNTIL THE PAGES DISINTEGRATE FROM USE!!! IT'S THE BEST!!!

James Campion is one of the bright young nonfiction writers of the new century, and he got a head start on this one. Back in 1995 the Jersey rock scene was changing and the craziness of life on the road in the clubs began with the swirling tide of Dog Voices. Their outrageous story is all-true in this thrilling page-turner. "Deep Tank Jersey" is "Almost Famous" times one-thousand.

It was one of the best books on rock and roll I've ever read, and I've read my share.

Buy this book to see just how pathetic the world of NJ music is. I found it by accident, bought it on a lark and am glad I did. It reafirmed every joke about NJ i've heard...

Leave it to James Campion -- the elfin Jack Kerouac of his time -- to expose the soft underbelly of the Jersey bar band scene in a gripping narrative which captures the sights, sounds and (god awful) smells of a Jersey summer as only an insider can do.

Although diminuitive in stature, Mr. Campion's oversized ego makes up for his lack of size and virility, as he becomes -- in essence -- the plot, characters and narrator of his cute little story about a bunch of punch drunk never-was'z.

I first came across Dr. Campion on his weekly cable show, "sports night", in which he was the host, producer, cameraman, gopher, sales manager, & Christ Object -- the Harold H. Heckuba of rancid cable tv.

Of course, the melodrama of Mr. Campion's personal life -- particularly his bachelorette party -- would make for dramatically more interesting reading than the sordid tales of a bunch of losers, but that will likely be saved for his memoir, which we understand is tenatively entitled "Meet me at my Summer retreat in Joe Namath's crotch region," due out in 2025 along with his Jesus book.

Salu, Dr. Campion!

I heard about James Campion on a Hunter WS. Thompson site, and picked up Deep Tank on Amazon.com and absolutely loved it! There is nothing down here that compares to the Jersey scene. I was up there once and couldn't believe the atmosphere for music. This is the BEST book on traveling musicians ever written. Campion is the new Gonzo king!!

In DTJ, James Campion journals a summer with "Dog Voices", one of the hardest working cover bands on the Jersey circuit. He manages to infiltrate their camp, gain their trust, and become one of them. His insightful personality and unique writing style make the book incredibly interesting; especially when you consider it's not a chronicle of a celebrity act AND when you realize he doesn't even use song titles during the descriptions of their performance(s). JC has been a long-time columnist for the Aquarian, a popular music weekly on the East Coast. This book, along with his other entitled "Fear No Art: Observations on the death of an American century" (which compiles his "Reality Check" columns from that paper) are great reading for fans of satire and substance.

The Dragonfly Secret written by Clea & John Adams, and illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson is the sequel to The Dragonfly Door. It's a lushly illustrated book about a favor a dragonfly, named Lea, does for a little boy. Here's what Mia as to say first: The book was about the dragonfly's secret which was to hop on a cap, and then land on a bear. The little boy and his grandparents were spirits. Lea hopped on the bear and the cap to let the little boy's parents know that he was thinking about them and loved them. It made me happy because the spirits were able to get a message to their family. But if this had been a real [true] story, I would have been sad. My favorite part was the last page where the parents are happy. The pictures were magnificent, beautiful paintings. Now my thoughts. Gibson's paintings of a garden are lovely and capture the beauty of nature. The story about Lea, the dragonfly, and the boy is sad and sweet all at the same time. The secret about the true nature of the boy and his grandparents isn't revealed until the last few pages, but parents and maybe older children will pick up on the subtle clues. I was a bit worried about how Mia would react to the revelation, but she wasn't bothered at all. She was charmed by the idea that the people who were mourning could be comforted by the antics of a dragonfly. It's a great book for kids who may be suffering from a loss, and those who haven't may find strength when confronted by grief.

My thoughts: I loved this book from the moment I took it out of the envelope. The cover art is beautiful and that remains the case throughout the entire book. The story line is easy to follow and is very moving and will bring a tear to your eye as it did mine.

The target audience is for children ages 9-12 this book goes beyond that to even helping adults. I can see rereading this book when the time comes to both myself and to my daughter.

Per the authors this is a companion book to The Dragonfly Door.

I recommend this book for anyone that has a child that is having a hard time going through the grieving process or if they themselves are the ones having the problem.

Perfect for : Dealing with loss/grief, children and adults

In a nutshell: The story brought tears to my eyes - literally. I had to look around to make sure no one was staring at me! The book is an easy read, and will provide comfort to people who are trying to cope with grief and/or loss. The book is written in a way that both kids and adults will understand, and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. I feel this would be an appropriate gift for someone dealing with the loss of a loved one. I've got a relative who is a family/child/personal counselor, and I plan to share this book with her as I feel she will be able to recommend it to clients.

First Paragraph:
On a bright summer morning, Lea played hide-and-seek in the garden with Tess, her butterfly friend. She hid among the flowers and giggled to herself. Suddenly, a boy appeared. He sat on the ground next to some daisies and rested his chin in his hands. Lea moved closer to get a better look. He turned toward her and smiled.

My Review:
Per the authors, this is a companion book to The Dragonfly Door, which I have not read.

This is the story of Lea, a dragonfly, who meets a boy while playing in the park. We are taken on Lea's quest to discover the boy's secret. While on her quest, she meets the boy's grandparents, learning that only she can see the boy and his grandparents. The story concludes with Lea having the ability to bring comfort to the boy's grieving parents in her own special way, with the help of the boy and his grandparents.

Characters: The characters in the book have a warm, inviting feeling to them. We do not get a lot of detail about any of the characters, but we learn enough to understand and appreciate the authors' message.

Story-Line: The story is written in a way to help people, both young and old alike, to deal with grief and loss. I did not notice any religious leanings in the book, so people will be able to use this book to augment their personal beliefs (dealing more with beliefs of what happens when someone dies).

Readability: The story is very easy to follow, and easy to read.

Illustrations: I've got two words - absolutely beautiful . . . stunning, intricate, peaceful, I could really go on and on here . . .

Overall: A very nice book that helps to fill a need when someone is trying to cope with loss.

About the Authors: (Taken from the back flap of the book)
"Clea and John Adams co-founded Feather Rock Books in 2005 with the goal of publishing thoughtful and inspiring stories. The Dragonfly Secret is their tribute to life's unexplained moments that lead us to pause and to wonder. The couple hopes this book offers comfort and inspiration when needed most. Clea and John reside in Minnesota. To learn about the authors or to share your own stories or comments, visit www.thedragonflysecret.com."

As I read the continuation story of Lea, now a Dragonfly, in her new world I thought of the scripture in Psalm 104:24, "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions "-- for indeed something greater than man has created the wonders of the transformational process of the Water Nymphs into a Dragonfly.

Clea and John Adams proficiently play with the literary device of anthropomorphism to engage the reader with Lea who is found playing hide-and-seek with her new friend Tess who is also different from Lea. Tess is a butterfly. Of course, most of us know insects can not think, talk or act like people, but not long into the story I eagerly suspended my disbelief to live in their beautiful fantasy world of nature. I find that Lea meets a boy who quickly wins her friendship, yet she wonders why the boy has not told her his name or where he lives. The boy offers to tell Lea a secret but first she must do three things for him. Lea yearns to discover the mystery behind his secret, so she agrees to fulfill the boys' requests. With each request Lea meets people who need her help and she discovers something about herself that changes her schemes about her own purpose.

The interchange of text and Barbara L. Gibson's illustrations seemed to encourage me to marvel about our natural world and to be open to nature's most unexplainable moments, as well as simplistically showed how to make new friends through game playing and the amazement of how love for a loved one endures forever and floats beyond typical boundaries.

My faith increased as I thought about the portrayed possibility that an insect like a dragonfly could land upon an object owned by a loved one resulting in bringing forth comfort and a smile to the bereaved. Indeed this is a jewel of a book worth reading to a child to help them find comfort from nature and feel loved during grief.

When I read the story to a group of elementary age children the boys stated, although they liked the story, they thought it was a little mushy. The girls disagreed and loved how the boy named David treated Lea and asked her for help. Some of the children's questions stimulated great discussion. For example, one child wanted to know what a dragonfly's house look like? In having memories of a loved one's life, another child questioned what life for them may be like now and the speculation of whether insects can really communicate with people. All the children loved the happy ending. The overall interaction reminded me that children are impressionable; therefore along with the author's statement in their book this reviewer suggests parents, teachers or other adults read this book first to determine appropriateness for their child.

Reviewer recommends The Dragonfly Secret: A Story of Boundless Love as a great educational tool for parents, grandparents or professionals to use to help explain grief transitions during loss and enduring love.

Story related crafts can sometimes bring comfort to a grieving child. To make Dragonfly rings visit Jewelofabook.com.

Reviewed by Jewel Sample, MS; Award-winning author of Flying Hugs and Kisses, also translated: Besos y Abrazos Al Aire(Spanish edition). To learn more about Jewel Sample visit her at jewelsamples.blogspot.com.

The Dragonfly Secret is an excellent children's book that is intended to help family members when they are faced with the passing of a loved one. This book is intended for the nine to twelve year-old age group and it offers an important message that is finally revealed at the book's end. The element of suspense present in this book keeps you guessing and many readers will not even realize what is taking place until they reach the book's closing pages.

This book is far less predictable than most others of its genre and, unlike most children's books, The Dragonfly Secret could even be considered a tear- jerker by some, especially those who have experienced the loss of a child, sibling, grandparent, etc. I have experienced such a loss myself, and this book certainly succeeds at getting the reader to reflect on that loss and to look for signs/symbols that are messages or reminders of the lost friend or family member.

This book is very nicely illustrated. The illustrations of the people in the book take on an old- fashioned feel and the colors are very bright and vivid. All of the pages depict the people and other characters in a natural setting complete with trees, grass, flowers, and blue sky. The colors are rich and vibrant, and they add tremendously to the story.

One other thing worth noting about The Dragonfly Secret is the writing. I have read many children's books in the past three years and too often, they are littered with bad grammar, sentence fragments, and typos. But The Dragonfly Secret is soundly written and it is certainly a refreshing change to read a children's book that wouldn't make an English teacher cringe. Too many children's books are written in a somewhat sloppy manner, presumably because the intended audience isn't going to understand whether or not the words are written in proper English anyway. But the authors of The Dragonfly Secret took special care to edit the book and make sure that the words are spelled correctly, the sentences are complete, and the punctuation is in its proper place.

I read children's books constantly with my two girls and The Dragonfly Secret is one of the best children's books I have read in a long time. More than just an ordinary children's book, The Dragonfly Secret aims to comfort and reassure, with a message that is strong, clear, and timeless. It isn't every day that you read a children's book that is thoughtful, flawlessly written, inspirational, and suspenseful. The Dragonfly Secret is certainly one such book and it's a short story that every family should share.