Rock The Books

I absolutely loved reading this novel! I read it in 9 days and had I not been required to go and earn a living everyday, I would have read it one sitting. It's a tense yet poetic yearning for a time, music and attitude long confined to the realms of memory. It's also a great murder-mystery story without stale cliches and with enough unexpected twists that will leave the reader (well, me at least) open-jawed. It's also punctuated by vivid characterisations and engagingly real human relationships. And this leads me to my one major criticism of Meet The Annas in that it's abundantly clear that story is pretty much a re-write of the real life stories of Phil Spector and The Ronettes with a few juicier elements thrown in for the purposes of the novel. Even the court case stems from the true story (The Ronettes sued Spector for unpaid royalties at some stage). So in that regard, there is a slightly disappointing lack of imagination at work in places and I feel that maybe Dunn could have done more to make his main characters more distinct from their real-life inspirations.

However, the positives of this novel ultimately outweigh that (very) minor quibble. The embellishments that he adds to the "true" story are so clever and well-thought out that while you're reading it, you hardly notice that the templates for the characters were real people. Structure-wise, the story is told in Godfather II-style timeshifts, flitting effortlessly from the youthful optimism and dreaminess of '60s Queens and LA to the burnt-out, regretful middle-age of '90s Manhattan. Throughout the novel, there is an undercurrent of sadness, of places and people gone forever through the ravages of time. There's a great scene when the central character finds himself walking around the city one evening and finding a record store with outrageous prices for girl group memorabilia and wondering to himself how this "old stuff" came to have such tremendous monetary value, a situation I'm sure we've all found ourselves in.

Another great thing about this book is that Dunn clearly loves the old Rock 'n' Roll and Pop of the '60s. How many people writing about this kind of stuff these days can you say that about? And all the little details, the fashions, recording sessions, what music meant to people back then etc, he gets bang on, absolutely right.

I'm really glad someone like Dunn exists, someone who has such a sharp imagination, engaging literary style and a genuine love for Rock 'n' Roll, a love that's going increasingly out of fashion as each year goes by. Not to mention a story telling ability that lingers with you for days afterwards.

4.8 stars.

"Meet the Annas" is, by far, one of the best novels to come around in a long time, and showcases a forgotten genre of music, the girl groups of the 1960's. Robert Dunn has written a novel that completely immerses the reader into those early years. A fictional account narrated by the songwriter Larry "Dink" Stephenson about the love of his life, Anna Dubower, lead singer of The Annas, we get a glimpse, through his eyes, of what the rock-n-roll industry must have been like in those early days, and how it all came crashing down at the beginning of the British Invasion.

The story is so well written that the reader actually becomes Dink Stephenson and lives his life as if the reader was actually there, experiencing the successes, happiness, longing, and deep sense of loss he felt. The reader will also observe the lawsuit that Dink has brought against his old "friends," Punky and Manny, and be moved by the torrent of those forgotten "perfect dreams" Dink thought he left behind that the trial brings back to the surface for all to see.

"Meet the Annas" is chock full of raw emotions, half-truths barely spoken, and secrets that keep themselves hidden until finally, when you're sure the secret will never be revealed, it suddenly springs upon you like a tiger on the hunt.

Flash backs and flash forwards will keep the reader reeling like a punch-drunk boxer, alternating between the 1960's recording sessions in LA, Dink's home in Kew Gardens, and the lawsuit 30 years later. Yet the reader never gets lost, easily keeping pace with the frequent time warps back and forth, while the two main characters fairly drown you in the flash flood of their thoughts, their desires, their unbridled passions.

Mr. Dunn must be congratulated for writing a story that is virtually impossible to put down. Once you start reading, you'll find you just can't wait to see what will happen on the next page. You'll never quite be able to steel yourself against the soaring wonder, the passionate love that catches you in its grip and won't let go, the dark and seemingly bottomless pit of loss and remorse, and the constant roller-coaster ride between them all.

Mr. Dunn's story is much more than an experience -- it's a transfiguration brought about by the projections of love and fondness from Dink and Anna that will surround you in their warm embrace. What more can one say? Read the book and find out for yourself.

But be warned -- once you start reading, you won't want to stop. Even when the story ends, you'll be left hanging by the songwriter and his love, as if they had more to say but couldn't, or wouldn't, say it. I doubt that anyone who reads this narrative will have a dry eye when they get to the end, compelling the reader to read the narrative again from the beginning, and you'll learn why love can sometimes "cut you like a knife."

There is still such a fan following for 1960s girl groups that it's nice to see a solid novel using that era as a backdrop. This story is mostly set in present day, with numerous flashbacks to the 1960s to reveal glimpses of the storyline.

Mostly it's the story of Dink Stephenson, who as a young songwriter in the early 1960s, penned girl-group songs with his school chum, Princess. The scenes of how they started writing together and eventually hooked up with an unknown girl group (and helped them become successful) were my favorite parts because they seemed so authentic and serve as a rare glimpse of what that life could have been like.

But most readers will be entranced with Anna herself, who by the photo on the cover seems designed to look like Ronnie Bennett, lead singer of the Ronettes. Like Ronnie, Anna was a good girl who just acted bad, dressing in tight dresses and using scandalous amounts of eye makeup. In fact, the Annas seem patterned heavily on the Ronettes, as the two other members are Anna's sister and cousin. It's no surprise that a leading character is "Punky" Solomon, whose initials happen to be the same as legendary girl-group producer Phil Spector. In fact, much of the novel centers on a trial for songwriting credits with Dink, our leading man, vs. Phil--oops, I mean Punky.

Like in the old days, producers slapped their own name and sometimes that of business associates on the songwriting credits to distribute the cash in the way they wanted. In this case, Dink and Princess are the sole writers of "Love Will Cut You Like a Knife," the last song of the Annas which flopped in the 1960s but in present day has come back as a retro hit and is widely used in commercials--thus prompting the lawsuit. In this story, Punky had added his own name as songwriter (if you didn't believe he was patterned after Spector, that should do it) along with that of his thug friend Manny.

Actually, the book is fiction, since in this story Anna herself died under mysterious circumstances back in the 1960s. As the trial unfolds, we learn how many of the men around Anna loved her--and the only one she really loved in turn.

The discovery of Anna's secret diary, Manny turning violent, and other twists really give the ending of this book a punch. If you want a captivating story, you have it here. If you want to re-live the 1960s from the inside perspective, that's here, too, in rich detail--writing songs on the old piano while Mom yells from downstairs; finding raw talent at a local club; being in the studio with a talented producer who creates a special sound; being young and less jaded and seeing the future as a bright pathway ahead.

Meet the Annas is the compelling story of a girl-group trio who had their 15 minutes of fame in the 1960s but who left behind a trail of mystery, heartbreak and mayhem that followed their collaborators into present day.

It's a well-written story that drives you page to page, the story beginning with songwriter Dink's lawsuit against legendary producer "Punky" Solomon over songwriting credits for a 1960s flop from the Annas that has since transformed itself into a gold mine for being used in current-day commercials.

Dink loved Anna back then but has since retreated to a quiet life as a high school music teacher in Arizona. The lawsuit brings him back to New York, back to the old gang, and back to old memories that uncover secrets of the past.

This novel has it all: the fun and innocence of bringing an unknown group to the top in the 1960s; the seamier side of music-business money; and a deep, changing mystery that surprises you at the end. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, there's even not one but two new twists that pitch the story to an even higher level. An engrossing, fun read!

MiMi'S GARDEN iT'S A KiD THiNG! is a wonderful gardening experience for KiDS of all ages. Not only is there valuable gardening information, but there is a great story line that teaches little gardeners to grow in so many ways. I love this book and look forward to sharing many garden experiences with my 8 month old daughter who currently loves to taste all the colorful pictures. MiMi'S GARDEN will be cherished in our household for many years to come!

I just love this book, not only are the illustrations beautiful but Maria makes the joy of gardening with children a wonderful experience for both of us. I really enjoyed how the process unfolds in a simple manner with an educational quality! We can't wait to see our flowers in bloom and learn more about Mimi's adventures. I highly recommend this book to anyone young and old who loves great illustrations, a wonderful story line and remembering to be a kid while playing in the dirt!

What a special gift Mimi has brought to young and old alike! It is colorful, fun and so easy to understand and follow with the special symbols and information that help you understand what tools you need to use and how to plant. This is not only a perfect gift for children of all ages, but for adults and senior citizens as well. I highly recommend this book to all!

I love this book, my sons love this book, and so does every child I have ever given it to! When my youngest boys read this book, they begged for their very own raised beds in our existing garden. Teachers at their school have used Mimi as an inspiration and jumping off point for life science units. One of our favorite gifts for birthday parties is iT'S A KID THiNG! with child sized gloves and other gardening items. The information is clear, and the illustrations are gorgeous!

Long live Stephen and his mineral fact-filled mind. Stephen B. Castor weaves a passionate and hypnotizing tale using his cunning and ingenuity in this exciting epic. I especially liked the part where he said "rock rock rock, rockrockrock!" These proverbial words really reached deep inside of me and changed my emotional state. Before, one might have compared my status to that of a hopeless stray kitten stumbling about the streets of brooklyn, drenched in rain and tears of sorrow. Now, I find myself overwhelmed by a sensation of bliss, or possibly even sublimity. I am a new and better person because of Stephen B. Castor. Thank you Stephen for all you have done. We salute you!

I must say that this book is difinitive in it's completeness and revelence in Nevada. The authors have done a marvelous and thorough job of data collection and presentation. Nevada's mining scene has changed dramatically from the early 70's when I was an undergraduate in Geology at the University of Nevada, Reno. This book ties that scene with today's mining activities, and is complete and extremely useful for those foraging in Nevada for mineral and mining history and for collectors as well.

Patrick M. Walker
MS Geology - UNR

This is a book from GOD. Stephan B. CastorBoBastor, the master of disaster, has truly written a gem here. WE cannot compare to his geological PROWESS. all must bow before the bearded, exquisitely handsome face of stephen. WE must put his picture up across the country on walls, grinning at all the people as if to say "Hello world! I like rocks!how about you!?" Stephen is God. we shall go into the places of worship and place idols of Stephen upon them. we will carve his face onto Mount Rushmore. ALL HAIL STEPHEN!!!!!! He has led us through the dark ages, and heles us get through the cancelation of the show "Growing Pains" He will give those with him the power to breath fire and grow a really hot red beard. BOW TO THE MASTER OF ALL EROSION, OF THE MOUNTAINS, OF YOUR LIFE, AND BOW TO THE MAN WHO'S PET IGUANA SPIFFY WILL DETERMINE WEATHER YOU GO TO GEOLOGICAL PARIDISE IN THE AFTER LIFE, OR BURN FOREVER IN THE FIRE OF ASTROLOGICAL HELL!!!!(geologists and astrologers are mortal enemies.satan is in the face of every astronomer)

This book is a gift from God. It touched my heart to the very core. Stephen B. Castor Bo Bastor, Master of Disaster, has really given us a gem here. I say that the handsomely stubbled face of Mr. Castor should be placed upon the gleaming slopes of Mount Rushmore so his visage can beam out to the mountains around with an expression that just says "Hello World! I love rocks! what about you?" His romantically red beard should be placed on posters everywhere, so all may wonder at the vastness of it. I want to be Stephen B. Castor. I want all sceintific reasearch from now on to be devoted to a machine which can make me into stephen B. Castor. I am going to get plastic surgery to make me look like him. He is God. We should have his face placed on each and every religious figure in THE WORLD! think you have been touched by God? well, it was Stephan B. Castor, IN DISGUISE. yes, in order to preserve his secret identity, Stephen B. Castor must disguise himself. but we know your secret now, Mr. Castor! ALL HAIL STEPHEN!!!!!

My son that is 9 years old really likes the multiplication country CD. He listens to it almost every night in bed. He surprised is sister the other day when she came to visit. She ask him what 5x5 was and he got it right. We also use flash cards.

If you like country music you will love this CD. The songs are not irrating to listen to. The songs even have other lyrics to break up the songs a little. Great CD!

Unlike most kids music, this one has meaningful content. My 2 year old daughter is now singing the multiplication tables!

Unlike most kids music, this one has meaningful content. My 2 year old daughter is now singing the multiplication tables!

This book has a ton of photos and is so tiny! It's like having your own diary about them. It says all sorts of stuff about there lives and what they do in there free time. AHHHHH. I love it!

When I read this book I was like cool. I was so into this book I finished this book in one day. the pictures are great and justin oh my god he is so hott! that is why I got engaged to him.

I just got done reading this book. It was great, it had all this new stuff about N Sync I didn't even know!!!@ It was great I would recommened anyone to read it!!!

I have to say this is a great little book. I don't want to give too much away because the element of surprise is always the best. What you see is what you get. I love it so much, it made me laugh and I'm getting a second copy of it for my collection. If you are a serious NSYNC Fan this is a must have. NSYNC FOREVER, Love you guys!

I heard of the name of the author because this year Japan is coming out with a tv drama serie about some of her hidden letters. This is a passionate observer/participant of life who articulates prose with clarity and ingenuity of an accomplished writer, and with subtle modesty representing a women of the last century.

Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (7/06)

"The Name of the Flower" by Kuniko Mukoda is a wonderful book that would be of particular interest to those who think they know and understand Japan. While I can envision a Japanese reader nodding his or her head and muttering over these brilliantly translated snapshots of male/female relationships, a lot of "gaijin" will likely be quite bewildered as to what is going on much of the time. The reader quickly learns that this is not going to be an easy read. That's exactly what makes this book such a delight - it's a great, emotional reading experience that will show Westerners how little we truly understand Japanese society.

Kuniko Mukoda was a prolific scriptwriter for Japanese radio and television, and at the time of her death in a plane crash in 1981 she was well into a career as a popular essayist and short story writer. The Afterward by translator Tomone Matsumoto is an interesting piece on just how popular and hard-working Mukoda was. So much can be learned and enjoyed from this collection, the least of which being that Japan is now, of course, a very modern, westernized society. That this modernity can be unrecognizable when it concerns human relationships, or that Westernization does not necessarily mean the North American way, is repeatedly revealed in Mukoda's book. In addition to outright bewilderment, feelings of being insulted or angry can be indicators that you've encountered a cultural difference, and these strong emotions are evoked by many of the stories. "Small Change" is guaranteed to make any independent, Canadian woman scream in frustration. "The Carp", "The Fake Egg", and a few others still have me puzzled, while "Half-Moon" and "Otter" will break your heart.

What will non-Japanese readers take away from this book besides knowing that they may never fully understand Japanese society? This will likely be answered differently depending on whether the reader is male or female, and could be the start of some great discussions. However, seeing the familiar importance of marriages, families, and lovers in these stories, as well as the struggles we all go through to understand our own lives, keeps you riveted to this cross-cultural reading encounter to the last page. Modern works such as Kuniko Mukoda's "The Name of the Flower" will leave all readers with a great deal of respect for how similar relationships are between men and women around the world, yet how truly different.

There is a fairly silly comment in the Publisher's Weekly review above that Kuniko Mukoda's stories "mix Eastern tradition with Western values." Another reviewer on this page states that this short story collection will demonstrate how little Westerners understand Japanese society. I couldn't disagree more. The late Mukoda wrote closely observed stories about domestic dilemmas set in Japan of the 60s and 70s. Although there are naturally references to Japanese traditions and cultural practices, I did not find them a barrier to understanding--and I don't think that's just because of my long acquaintance with the country. Mukoda's characters are typically experiencing a crisis in their family life that is illuminated or complicated by memories of past events. These characters, their emotions, and their struggles are very recognizable to Western readers, not because Mukodas wrote about "Western values" but because she is a talented observer of human nature, which remains a constant everywhere.

I picked up this book for some light reading over the weekend. I am doing research for an essay and I wanted a book of short stories to read while I was in between sections of the books that I am supposed to be reading. Unfortunately I found this book so interesting that I finished it in a couple of sittings. I am pretty sure that this book gets lost between the cracks left between the works of Mishim, Tanizaki, and Kawabata and those of Yoshimoto and Murakami. I'd certainly had never heard of the writer and when one reads the bak of the book one learns why. Kuniko Mukoda only wrote prose fiction for a very short time because soon after she started writing her short stories she was killed in a plane crash, before that she wrote radio and television dramas. The translator points out that she wrote over one thousand radio dramas.

The stories in this little book seem to follow under one main theme infidelity. The reader gets to see both sides of the relationship. We see the husband who is being eaten up inside because of his outside relationhips, and we see the wife's side in which wonders if in fact her husband is cheating on her. Interesting stories of daiily life that makes one wonder how Mukoda made such mundane things so interesting.

i am a diehard cure fan since about 1985, but this book told me so much info i really feel like i did my homework! excellent stories, amazing detailed, fairly balanced on controversial issues, great photos. if you wish you'd been in on the cure during their teenage years, this book will fill you in to a serioius level. truly entertaining read.

i'd recommend this highly...but please avoid In Between Days: An Armchair Guide to the Cure unless you really just want to read discographical info.

This book was absolutely amazing. I have been a serious Cure fan for over 25 years and I must say this book was a fantastic read. The author really did his research. Its definitely a must read for anybody who wants to know the whole story or at least all that the author could get out of the boys.I'll probly read it again there was so much info. The behind the scenes of a band whose career has spanned over 30 years in detail like you can't imagine.....

A Great!! GREAT! Book. Starting from when Lol Tolhurst, Mike Dempsey, Simon Gallup, and Robert Smith joined and from other band join ins and outs. Talks an awful lot of Robert Smiths life as a child with his childhood friend and former bandmate Lol Tolhurst. Incredible book!! There is alot more tho that I would have wanted to see. THe author cut off at some songs when introducing an album to speed up the book. Alot of songs were left unspoken of which kinda ticked me off but other than that I LOVED it!!

For Cure fans alike this book is a MUST read!!! It's great! Don't hesitate, buy it!! You will love it!!

It's nice to have a Cure biography and there is a heck of a lot of history to go through. In a way it's nice to have the book to make sense of all the different line-ups, who did what when, and how and why everyone came to be in the band.

Also the story in the beginning about Robert's brother taking him to the Isle of Wight festival is priceless. I won't say anymore here so that you'll go get the book!

It probably could be better but there's still enough good info in there for Cure fans that they won't be dissapointed. Another important thing to mention is that he interviewed Lol Tolhurst, and some other former members, so you get more than one perspective on the old days, which is cool.

This book is by far the nicest Nirvana book I own. It's a beautiful, thick paperback, with fantastic rare photographs. For a long time, the only Nirvana books around were information heavy, and focused a lot on Kurt's death. This book captures exactly what they were, A great band. Pure punk rock, pure soul, pure energy. It's a wonderful memory of a great band. You'd be mad not to buy this book.

I love photography, and Nirvana is my second favorite band, so therefore I love this book. I feel that this book captures the essence of Kurt Cobain. It just doesn't show him all sad and depressed as the press tends to state he was, it shows his happier side, which very few people expose. There are all sorts of pictures, mainly of Kurt, but also of the band as well. If you don't like photography, don't even bother buying the book. However, I think it's totally worth it.

Nirvana fans will love this (although, be aware; most of the photos are of Kurt Cobain). The photography is excellent and candid; displayed in a "coffee-table" book style- large pictures and lots of them. Lots of black & white photos as well as color. The photos of Kurt with Frances as an infant will tug at your heart.

Absolutely beautiful book.

Not being a big fan of Nirvana, I wasn't sure what to get my sister for her birthday. My sister is a huge fan, you see, and she loves books with pictures. After searching far and wide for a book with Nirvana and pictures of Nirvana, I discovered this one.

If you are looking to buy a book with photos from the days of Nirvana, then this is the one for you. Not only does over half the book contain large pictures, they are all (most, there are a few in black and white) in color, and they are rare photos that don't appear as often as most others do.

This book is a great buy for the Nirvana fan. If you love Nirvana, you've got yourself a book.

The tablature in this book is incredible if you're just starting out playing guitar and you love the band Nirvana this book is for you. ~peace,love, and empathy~

In rating a collection of sheet music, I would consider the most important issue to be - is it transcribed accurately?

Have no fear. Hal Leonard has done a great job. The sheet music is not only accurate, but incredibly accessible for relative newcomers to the guitar: there's also tablature that has been just as carefully transcribed as the notes. This is great if you're like me (still a fledgeling to understanding music theory) and all you want to do is play some darn music, not get thrown by all those flats and sharps that keep cropping up!

While totally not necessary, the black and white photos of Nirvana's band members goofing around (the pictures are sprinkled throughout the book) are a nice touch.

This is incredible my man!
This book contains only perfect tabs including solos, you will hear it , you will see it, you will play it...
The best tab book I've found on market considering I've got only Nirvana books.
Thanks for cooperation Hal Leonard staff.

This is a great book for any Nirvana fans. You can see that the publishers have put a lot of effort into it and the tabs are 100% correct.

a beautiful music book from a very opinionated photographer. both text and images are the top shelf material.

As post teeners in SF's North Beach, Jim and I caroused the jazz clubs in the 50s with his first Leica. Always caustic, ever insightful, Jim progressed from raw talent to brilliant. This book is super to those who lived it !!!! Jack Bennett

So MUCH ink has been spilled about the 60's & early 70's, most of it overblown or off base in someway. Marshall's black and white photos (most of them taken by a Leica without flash!) get to the heart and soul of the times in ways most writers can only dream of...I can't wait until the color volume comes out. Powerful stuff (like a shot of great whiskey), a must have for any music fan. The HIGHEST recommendation!

One of America's pre-eminient rock photographers surfaces. Jim Marshall's work was a fixture of the '60s and some of the '70s, especially when it came to the Summer of Love and SF. But then like Flower Power & the '60s, Marshall indeed "faded away." His later output in the '70s and '80s is devoid of post-'60s icons as Springsteen, who had a huge pre-Time/Newsweek magazine following here, as well as others. I first met him 12 yrs ago when he sold me one of his photos. I was familiar with his work with Life (Stones 1972 tour) and before and was thrilled to be able to meet the man. At the time I wondered why he hadn't published a book yet. Now here it is and for the most part it delivers bigtime. Great insights delivered via the photo captions; sometimes when Marshall compliments an artist ("so-&-so was the greatest") it might come off a bit on the light side but you can't really complain. His work speaks for itself. It was powerful and awesome. Also in the book are photos of recent performers such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Maybe it's the Times...maybe it's the Subjects...but these recent photos didn't belong in this book at all. It's great to see Marshall's more current work, but I think quite a bit of the magic was missing. Marshall himself acknowledges this. If anybody can conjure this old feeling back through the art of photography, he can.