Rock The Books

i bought this book a year or more ago based on a recommendation in a review (in some magazine). of all the fiction i've read in the past month or so, this was BY FAR my favorite.

the book is narrated by the sister of an adult male (i'm always impressed when a male author can write convincingly from a female narrator's perspective) who meets, marries, then loses an amazing wife to cancer. really the book is about his "long way back" to life, through and semi-out of a deep and massive grieving process.

as an added bonus, the brother is a catholic youth worker who mostly loses his faith through this process. but the narrating sister keeps her faith (so it's not a slam on religion or faith). there's a good splash of punk rock and band stuff thrown in the mix, which added fun. lots of great reflections on dying and death (the sister is also a hospice nurse), grief, families, faith, healing, and how events can completely redirect our lives.

i highly recommend this great book!

Ever met someone who's life was saved by punk rock? You will if you check-out the book I just finished!
In Long Way Back, the author, Brendan Halpin, narrates the life-recovery of Francis Kelly, a devout Catholic who loses his beloved wife and then abandons his faith. The story is told through the eyes of his older sister, Clare, a practicing nurse who serves God through the nursing profession, always seeking jobs that require nearly as much altruism as professional acumen. Her faith exists because of Francis, who had an unmistakable "religious experience" as a teen that left a lifelong impression on her, direct proof that there is a God.
And as they grow older, Francis becomes a devout lay minister in the Catholic church, directly impacting the life of many teens in the youth group he sponsors. In time, he meets and marries the love of his life, Lourdes, an oncologist, who is one of those rare humans who is just as wonderful as she seems. Their love fulfills Francis, completing him in a way that not even his faith could.
But Lourdes is struck down unexpectedly and dies after lingering in a coma in spite of the earnest prayers of her husband. After losing her, Francis grows bitter towards God and hostile towards the church, especially in light of the recent pedophilia scandals in the Boston area where he lives and works.
It is the author's accurate and gripping portrayal of losing a loved one unexpectedly -- in spite of praying and religious devotion --that is the strength of this novel. The reader is drawn into Francis' love for Lourdes as her character develops, and then is shattered along with Francis as she dies. Halpin keeps Francis' newborn cynicism on an even-keel, however, in the scene at the funeral reception, when Francis lashes out at well-meaning boobs who offer trite, religious clichés that hurt him more than explain the reason for tragedy and unanswered prayers.
In the second half of the novel, Francis loses his old life and finds a new one in an entirely different manner but without losing his altruistic zeal to ultimately help others. Although he never returns to the lay ministry or Mass, he finds a way to heal himself and other emotionally-needy people through the unexpected outlet of punk rock, a major influence in his and Clare's life. Any reader who is a fan of the Ramones or the Who will find kindred spirits in the fictional Kelly household.
Although harrowing and sad at times, Long Way Back is ultimately uplifting. Highly recommended.

I absolutely loved Long Way Back. Written in a totally original voice, this story of love, loss and ultimately, redemption, is tender and poignant and thoroughly enjoyable. I could completely relate to the characters. I mean, who hasn't questioned their faith after bad things have happened, or wanted to totally reinvent themselves when the old version just didn't seem to be working out anymore? Bottom line: You gotta get this book. Also, a warning--read the last chapters somewhere private...I was in a public place and everyone wondered why I was crying.

I have read most of Mr Halpin's books and find they all have that same haunting realism that you know is not fiction. This is an author who writes from the heart not only his own but through experiences that have touched all of us in our own lives one way or another. This is a book you want to put down while reading to savor it but you can't put down because you need to be "in" it to the end. So, give yourself some me time,a nice warm beverage and just enjoy.

Fantastic hard-cover book with work by artists all over the world. Some of the stuff is really beautifully done - you've gotta have this!

I am a librarian. Over the decades, I have had many art books pass through my hands. The compilation of fine artists by the author is glorious! The author's rigorous research in finding the artists whom he chose to be included within, certainly substantial.
In particular, the artist Susan Victor of murrrbeast.com, is
included in this book. It is about time that someone recognized her exceeding works. I would highly recommend this book -- especially to those in academia; the field of commercial art;
and anyone who simply loves art.

I've never been a fan of Madonna's music, but have admired her willingness to constantly re-invent herself. This new art book shows how others in the art world have viewed Madonna throughout her career. There are sketches, water colors, oils, and works from many other mediums with the artist's unique view on who (or in some cases, what) Madonna is.

If you love art, or love Madonna, this is the book for you. And it makes a perfect gift as well!

I bought a book in 1984 called "Marilyn In Art". I always loved to every now and then flip through it because it was so much fun to see the different ways these artists drew or painted (etc) the same subject. I happen to be a longtime Marilyn fan.
From what I understand, the author (compiler) of this book, Mem Mehmet, is friends with the author of the twenty year old Marilyn book, Roger G. Taylor (who also did an "Elvis In Art"). I had the paperback version of the Marilyn book, but was lucky enough to get the hardcover version of "Madonna In Art". I am also a Madonna fan (not as much as a Marilyn fan, but...), this book is a MUST for any fan of Madonna! Fantastic, fun renditions of Madonna in every style imaginable, which also makes it great for any artist or art lover. Along with each piece of art is a quote from Madonna herself or a celebrity or author, etc. about some aspect of the superstar which is fun to read. Unlike my paperback "Marilyn In Art" book, the hardback version of this is of the highest quality. Beneath the attactive book cover, the name is embossed in silver metallic ink (which is used throughout the book). Would make a wonderful gift for Madonna fans, artists, art lovers!!! I'd scoop up the hardcover before it's only available in paperback!

Sammy Shore has written an exquisitely funny book for people of all ages. "The Man Who Made Elvis Laugh" is a story from Sammy's childhood and his comedy career. Sammy Shore is probably best known for being the opening act for Elvis Presley... He has written a previous-autobiography called "The Warm Up"... He is a funny man and a wonderfully kind man. The pictures in this book are reflective as to the diverse range of entertainers Sammy Shore has worked with. Be prepared to laugh, cry and be entertained as the pages of The Man Who Made Elvis Laugh come to life. This is a book you will enjoy.

On the back of this book there is a question Who is Sammy Shore?

The answer. A funny comic who worked with Elvis Presley and still works today and who reveals in this book through funny jokes and anecdotes not only what Elvis would double over laughing at, but also what you and I would too. This a memoir of both trying to make it in show business, with all the hard knocks along the way, and also of life's great moments with family and friends (he's the father of Pauly Shore). If you want to learn how to see the glass half-full, read this book. There is laughter and meaning in it for everyone.

In The Man Who Made Elvis Laugh, Sammy Shore uses a very creative way of writing to take the reader through his mind boggling life.

From his humble Chicago beginnings through to the insane upside down world of professional comedy and his time with Elvis Presley. This book is hands down one of the most interesting and best autobiographies I have read in a long time. I can comfortably recommend The Man Who Made Elvis Laugh, based on the tremendous impact it had on me personally. This book was written by true comedy legend that continues to make a positive impact on the rest of the world with his humor and his valuable insights.

I can see why the King loved Sammy, he is funny!

In The Man Who Made Elvis Laugh. Sammy leaves no stone unturned on what went on while he was opening for Elvis Presley. The personal stories about the comedy business from his perspective were also very enlightening.I would strongly recommend this book to anyone starting out in comedy along with anyone that wants to hear things about Elvis that were previously not mentioned. My hat is off to Sammy for being able to convey his story with such brilliance.

this book is amazing for anyone who wants to see what it was like for maroon5 to tour for 4 years. a great book for any fan!

The book delightfully displayed wonderful memories through photographs of the bands musical tour. I enjoyed the message each member of the band wrote, not wordy which I prefer but insightful. The photography is very good and the pictures are a treasure in itself. You will be very pleased with this book.

this book is a must have for every m5 fan. it chronicles, in photography, the band's three year tour from small venues to soldout arenas. the book measures 6.5' by 9', and each picture is a full-sized page. it's a behind the scenes, in front of the scenes, at breakfast and long after midnight ~america to europe & back~ photo-diary of their lives for the last 3 years. also included is a page or two that each of the guys wrote for us.

I had the Pleasure of Meeting all 5 members of Maroon 5 at a Book Signing here in California last week and they could not have been nicer! They were Very Friendly, were on Time(unheard of for a band this big) and happily chatted and posed for photos with fans! These Guys Really appreciate their fans! The Book is Beautiful, packed with HUNDREDS of Photos from their last concert tour which lasted 3 years in support of their cd songs about jane. What is fascinating about the book and the band itself is that before songs about jane came out, these guys were just a struggling band playing in small clubs and colleges(hard to beleive but true). So the book actually gives you a rare glimpse of a band right before they became huge and you the reader get to witness this and view how fame and fortune changes the band and judging from the Book signing, fame and fortune hasnt changed these guys at all. When songs about jane became a huge seller, many people in the media called maroon 5 an "overnight sensation", The guys must laugh at this because the overnight sensations was like 10 years in the making! These guys worked their butts off to achieve the success that they now have and its nice and refreshing to see that they are still down to earth and they havent forgotten who got them to this point. The book in alot of ways is a tribute to their fans so GO BUY IT!

I have been reading this to my pre-schooler boys for over a year and we love it. Now they ask me all the time to name the planets and remind them which one is the green slimy one. It has sparked a real interest in astrology for my boys and I highly recommend it.

I read lots of books to my 2 preschool girls, but Martian Rock is at the top of the charts. The playful rhymes make it fun for me to read aloud, and my kids get such a kick out of the story and the illustrations.

As a bonus, there are 2 pages at the end of the book with interesting facts about each of the planets in the solar system (lots of info that many adults might not know). This is one of the few books I would run out and buy for a gift for any preschooler, boy or girl.

I love all her books. Maybe that's just because she's my aunt. But no, they are entertaining. The kids I babysit for have them all. And the illustrations are good. Buy the books.

Every Martian, gazing out into the measureless heavens, has pondered the question "Is there anything out there?" "Martian Rock" answers this question for all time, and you'll love it even if you are Venusian, Plutonian, or Earthling. Four Martian astronauts take off in their shiny-red spacecar in search of intelligent life. It's a long and frustrating odyssey, as they flit from one visually-stunning but unpopulated planet to another. Exhausted and cranky and depleted of clean underwear, our heroes are ready to throw in the interstellar towel and head home, but they decide to make one last stop, and suddenly encounter life---maybe not spectacularly intelligent life, but indisputably genial. Carol Diggory Shields's clever story and charming rhyming text could captivate even the most cosmos-indifferent child, but it's Scott Nash's dazzlingly colorful and funny illustrations that would make "Martian Rock" a heavy-rotation item on any child's book-at-bedtime reading program. Parents will love it, too; it has the same transgenerational crossover appeal of "Toy Story".

"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."

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.

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!!!!!

Good guide for rock hounds, covers a wide range of minerals, fossils, etc......haven't actually used this field guide, but from what I can tell it seems a lot more accurate/recent than some of the other field guides out there.

I have the older 1999 edition of this book, and even so, it is much better than Gem Trails of Arizona by Mitchell and FAR superior to Rockhounding Arizona by Blair.

It not only provides information about sites that one can actually collect at (unlike Blair, which describes many sites closed to the public), the maps are fantastic, the directions superb, and the difficulty in reaching, finding and collecting at each site is given in any easy to understand format. This is definitely my "go to" book when I want to get down and dirty with Arizona's minerals.

At some point, I'll have to get the updated version though, because some of the sites I've been to, while nice, appeared well picked over.

A very handy reference for Arizona rockhounds. There are plenty of worthwhile sites with good background info and good written directions to the sites.

The only (small) problem is with the GPS coordinates. Many of them are wrong - so don't just plug them into your GPS as waypoints and expect to get there! If you are planning on using your GPS, do a sanity check BEFORE going out, check your maps and verify the GPS position is correct first.

On the other hand, you really don't need a GPS at all - the written directions to the collecting areas are very good.

This book is a valuable resource for the amateur rock and mineral collector. It is an important update to the author's earlier book, Minerals of Arizona. The topo maps are clear and extremely valuable, and the GPS info should be of help to those who rely on modern technology. The question of access to sites on private land is addressed, although only minimally, especially in this age of increased interest in small-scale mining. Road and trail access to many of the sites is very difficult, and prospectors need to be very well prepared to visit many of them.

_Modern Twang_ is an amazing book that provides information on the artists as well as the infrastructure of alt.country. Goodman has written artist profiles and given information on internet resources, labels, radio and television outlets, and live venues. The prose is always readable and insightful. This is a must for the alt.country fan. Goodman has created a model for how music guides should be written. A+++

This book is a joy for fans and historians of country music. Patterned after Ira Robbin's succesful Trouser Press record guides, Modern Twang focuses on the alt.country movement, its history and its many offshoots, not the glossed-over country that dominates the airwaves today. Author David Goodman approaches his subject with obvious love. Capsule reviews of more than 500 artists, discographies, listings of compilation CDs-Goodman has done a fine job. Especially educational (for me) is the inclusion of such artists as the Byrds, Dylan, Neil Young, Parsons, Emmy Lou Harris-early major players in the alt.country scene whose influence remains vital today. This book works as a historical document, as well as a CD buyer's guide.

A good editor would have resulted in a five-star rating. Numerous typos and punctuation miscues (commas anyone?) detract slightly. There are some inconsistencies in style, as well-many of the reviews offer some form of critique, while a few read like letters from adoring fans, offering little insight as to how the band actually sounds.

An awesome, all-purpose, up-to-date guide to the alternative country "scene", this includes profiles of about five hundred bands, both big and small, with special emphasis on local scenes. It's an amazing resource, sure to fill in numerous blanks for just about any reader. Goodman's writing is straightforward, and not overly concerned with the "look, I'm a postgraduate!" rhetorical flashiness which plagues many contemporary music reviews. Let me put it this way, if I had a staff here at Slipcue, I'd hire this guy as a writer. Of course, with books like this, it's fun to flip around checking on bands you already know about... and the good news here is that Goodman is pretty thorough. For example, I looked up The Movie Stars, a Bay Area band whose late-'80s album preceded most of the current wave of twangsters by several years. They didn't have their own entry, but were mentioned under the listing of Red Meat, which is sort of a reconstituted version of the old band. Other '80s pioneers are included as well, though things start to get a little fuzzier and less consistent in the '70s (the Blue Ridge Rangers get listed, but what about Larry Hosford?). One problem I have, though, is the use of scene-specific catch phrases to denote "styles" of music... for example, Sun Volt as "No Depression" music, or any of the bands on Bloodshot as "insurgent country". Yeah, sometimes the things bands (or labels) call their music are cute, but they aren't necessarily that descriptive. But maybe I'm just being too crabby. Goodman also includes listings for radio stations, e-zines, websites and publications related to the current Twang-craze... obviously many of these listings will be quickly out of date, but we can hope that just means another, bigger, better edition will follow...

I am not sure how in the world David Goodman got all this together. It is obviously a work of love for Alternative Country Music. It will be a valuable resource for recording companys,festival and entertainment show managers,and radio and TV program planners and DJs. Think Dowling Press has found a true niche with their publications.