This is a well written, informative book which (ostensibly) uncovers a bunch of "unknown" bands for the reader, and which would make a great introduction to underground music for the mainstream rock listener. The only problem I had with it was that it didn't present anything really new to me. I already have albums by about half of the artists profiled, and the other half I have at least read about or heard of before I got the book. I was hoping this book could introduce me to a bunch of great bands which I had never heard of, but it just didn't happen. I also agree with previous reviewers that it is too heavily slanted toward 80's post-punk, and doesn't cover anything in genres like Afrobeat and Tropicalia, just to name a few. However, everything considered, this could be extremely eye-opening to the average rock fan (if not the seasoned collector), and comes highly recommended.

The Secret History of Rock is a fascinating book about bands that aren't very well known but have influenced better known bands. It makes you want to hear these bands, and since I read the book, I've already listened to some of them. I was already familiar with some of the artists mentioned in the book (Serge Gainsbourg, Van Dyke Parks, Brian Eno) and knew at least something about a lot of them but many were completely new for me. For me the most interesting artists were the weirdest and most obscure ones such as The Shaggs and Daniel Johnston. However I'm not completely satisfied with the book. I found a few mistakes (especially in the Serge Gainsbourg discography). The Stooges and Philip Glass are maybe a bit too well known to be included in a book like this. As the author said, the book is written from the American point of view: Serge Gainsbourg is one of the most popular and influential artists in France but has only minor cult success in America. I think there's too much about 80's (post-)punk in this book and nothing about such genres as progressive rock, blues, (real) heavy metal, and African, Asian and South American music. This isn't really the author's fault because the artists aren't only his favorites but favorites of the artists he interviewed. But the problem is that he has mostly interviewed American indie rock bands such as Sonic Youth (+a few rap artists). The book might have been more diverse and even more interesting if he had also interviewed completely different kind of artists, maybe Peter Gabriel, Type O Negative, Richard Clayderman... But even like this The Secret History of Rock is mostly a very interesting book about some very interesting artists.

Eddie Vedder is quoted above saying: "This is the book I wish I had growing up as a kid." Well, I wish that everyone who has been turned on to "alternative" music by bands like Pearl Jam, Green Day, and Nirvana, will take note of this very informative text. Although at first glance some of the names seem gargatuan (Stooges, Nick Drake, Public Image Limited) compared to others (Erik Satie, Serge Gainsbourg, Iceberg Slim), each of the artists chosen are worthy of inclusion. There are over 80 artists covered in the text, and Sarig skillfully subdivides each into one of sixteen genres/chapters. The book is basically an amalgamation of biographies, and it is difficult to tie one chapter to the next, although there is a concerted effort to keep these stories in chronological order (so you won't be reading about Mission of Burma before you've read about DNA-- unless you so choose). Sarig does do a fine job introducing each chapter, which helps defray the otherwise disjointed feel of the book.

Other than the usual "Why wasn't this band Chosen?" or "Why did you include this one?" questions, there are at least two omisions which could have made the text much better. First, although there is a section on Gram Parsons, there is no chapter on alternative country. Given the popularity of bands like Wilco, Son Volt, and Whiskeytown (Sarig uses quotes from these artists throughout the text), it would have been appropriate to add a chapter on this growing genre of music (Jason and the Scorchers and Uncle Tupelo might have been covered).

Second, I personally think the book would have been much better if Sarig had gone out on a limb. He obviously has great taste in music and is still very much in touch with today's indie label scene. The book would have benefited from a chapter documenting a few of the current bands who are doing much in the way of innovation but receiving very little recognition. There is a whole new crop of bands who will influncee future generations of musicians, and Sarig missed his chance to give these indie scene-sters their fifteen minutes of fame. I guess we can always hope for a sequel.

Those two minor discrepencies aside, this is a monumental achievement. Collectors, music enthusiasts, and rock'n'roll fans will all profit from this book. The discographies had me running to the local used record store to see if I could find some of these great albums.

This is an interesting read about a woman who's obviously totally devoted to her animals. Any little girl would adore this book, and would probably try to use it to coerce her parents into letting her keep a horse in the backyard. Fortunately, I think most parents are sensible enough to know that this is a pretty outlandish proposition. And yes, I've known at least one person who's raised a sick foal in her house, but as the foal got stronger it immediately went out in the pasture with the other horses so it was properly socialized with its own kind.

I would feel more comfortable reading this book if it were fiction, but it's not. It's scary to me that someone would think that inducing (and even encouraging) separation anxiety in animals is an appropriate way of showing love. Horses are herd (prey) animals and they shouldn't be taught that being with other horses is a bad thing. Horses also shouldn't be fed the junk food (donuts, jelly rolls, etc.) that Misha's routinely given because it can cause serious damage and death. It's not good for *humans* to eat that kind of food regularly, but at least we humans make a conscious decision to eat junk food knowing the risks. Horses have such delicate digestive systems and most would not do well with the kind of diet Misha lives on. My concern is that inexperienced little girls may read this book and decide to start feeding their ponies donuts all the time, and ponies are even more susceptible to laminitis/founder.

I don't know if this book requires a warning statement, but I sure hope no one who reads it assumes that it outlines proper horse care. Instead, this book shows some very good examples of how NOT to care for horses. I'm very surprised there haven't been any reviews of this book written by equine behaviorists -- they could have a field day with this one.

This is an excellent book, that I could not put down. I think that Ms. Tresl has opened up many areas of possibilities as far as the care and management of horses, as well as their need and capacity for intellectual stimulation and affection. Without Ms. Tresl's incredibly committed and devoted indulgence of her animals (not just the horse!), not to say her husband's patience and capentry skills, such a wonderful book would not exist, and the world would be a sadder place. Brava!

I am a retired engineer. In my semi-retirement, I am a substitute teacher. I plan to use this book when I am teaching elementary school. I'll first tell them the story in general and then read excerpts to the children. As a substitute teacher, I would probably not have enough time to read the entire book unless I was covering for a teacher out an extended time..

This book is a delight for anyone who loves the films of Hollywood's studio-driven "golden age" of the 1930s and 40s. Reading Sarris's (mostly) short essays is like being walked through a film storage vault by a knowledgeable, opinionated old tour guide who's seen every picture and seemingly met everyone who helped to make them. You may not always agree with his take on the pictures you know well, but he's always worth listening to. And you finish the tour ready to spend the next several weekends watching all the great movies that he's pointed out to you.

Sarris's treatments of individual directors are, by a long shot, the best part of the book. His essays on actors, mostly shorter and less comprehensive, are also well worth the reading. The observations on genres and studios seem sketchy by comparison, especially by comparison with books like Ethan Mordden's _Hollywood Studios_. The essays stand well on their own, which makes the book ideal for reading in essay-at-a-time chunks, but keeps it from being a comprehensive introduction to the period.

If you want to read one and only one book on classic Hollywood movies, this isn't it. If you want to read, several, this should certainly be one of them.

This is a book for film buffs. It is chock full of opinions, many of which you may disagree with. So what? Sarris examines a wide range of subjects (covering the 1927-1949 timeframe) which are organized within five chapters:

The Hollywood Studios ["The Golden Age" at MGM, Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th-Century-Fox, RKO, Universal, and Columbia]

Genres [eg the musical, gangster film, the horror film, the screwball comedy, the western, the film noir, the war film]

Directors [eg Chaplin, Ford, Hitchcock, Hawks, Welles, Sturges, Wilder, Capra, and Stevens]

Actors and Actresses [eg Garbo, Cagney, Bogart, Davis, Grant, Bergman, Harlow, Fields, the Marx Brothers, Tracy and Hepburn, and Gable and Lombard]

Guilty Pleasures [eg the "B" picture]

Sarris then provides four appendices: Academy Award nominations and winners (1927-1949), New York Critics Circle Awards (1935-1949), Best Directors (1927-1949), and Best Performances (1929-1949). The various lists are interesting but the book's greatest appeal derives from the comprehensive coverage of 22 years of the American talking film's history in combination with Sarris' own opinions about most of those who created that history.

I highly recommend this book to film buffs, not as a definitive history of the period (there is none) nor as the single best source of film criticism (there is none); rather, as a collection of thoughtful, generally well-written essays which inform as well as entertain.

If you are a film buff and if, after reading this book you are motivated to see films you have not as yet seen or to see once again films you last saw years ago, Sarris will have achieved what seems to be his primary objective.

If you own only a handful of film books, this should be one of them. It has the authority of brilliance, as well as a personal touch that is completely winning. With movies, it all starts with falling in love. The critical response kicks in later, but love is at the beginning. Sarris, over the course of a long and distinguished career, has never forgotten his first love of film, and that comes across in his writing. The chapters on individual actors and directors will keep this book on your night table for months. There are passages that absolutely illuminate films and careers. I don't agree with everything in the book, but that's part of the pleasure of this book's company. I read it once, and now I'm re-reading it.

The main premise of this book is that you, as a speaker, must speak in such a manner that the listener will believe you on a subconscious level, that is, with their "first brain," the primitive brain consisting of the brain stem and limbic system and opposed to the "new brain," that advanced, intellectual, conscious part developed later in our evolution and known as the cerebral cortex. This is accomplished by speaking naturally, comfortably, and with animation, speaking the truth. Unfortunately, the author takes the first 70 pages to establish this premise, something that could easily have been done in 10 pages. He provides example after example of speakers who do and do not speak to the first brain.

I could not finish this book because it was so dreadfully boring, repetitive and annoying! The editor should have slashed through half the text and tightened it up. An example of unnecessary writing follows: "If one is telling the truth there is nothing to be nervous about. And confidence will show. And listeners will see it. The continuous mind chatter of the listener will tell him or her about the behavior of the communicator. And what will be believed and trusted. Or not..." (Two paragraphs later) "So we need to establish trust immediately if we are to be believed. In your first meeting with a huge potential client in a selling situation-you need to establish trust. When you are in a seemingly compromising situation that is perceived erroneously-you need to establish trust. When you are the leader of a new group-you need to establish trust. You must get to trust, or you get nowhere." What's that again? Trust, you say? This type of writing goes on for PAGES!

If you, as a speaker, stand behind a podium, move very little, speak in a monotone voice, and recite facts from a piece of paper, then this book could not hurt you. If you are already adept at speaking to an audience from your heart with animation, then pass this up. It will be painful. I tried for several days to finish this book and just couldn't. And for me, that is rare.

Bert Decker is on target with "You've got to be Believed..He helps us understand how our mind works and what works with the people we speak to. Its more than just saying the words. Mr. Decker gives the reader critical insight into the communication process. This is a must read for those who truly want to connect .The information learned is based on proven principles that are timeless.Effective communication is the lifeblood to effective living. This book nails it!

This book provides the reader with a wonderful series of insights about how public speaking works. There are none of the old stereotypes -- and there is none of the usual advice (ie seeing the audience in their underwear). This is fresh information, delivered by a master. The kind of book that will make a difference in your life if public speaking is occasionally important to you.

As a longtime sufferer of Bipolar Illness, I found this account overly dramatic and somewhat misleading. First, Mark (the patient) is depicted as a pampered, privileged son of a doting, schizophrenigenic mother and a cold, unfeeling father. These superfluous characterizations make it difficult for the reader to curry any sympathy for any of them. Secondly, the presentation of his illness is uncharacteristic of most cases of Bipolar Illness. He clearly suffers severe delusions and hallucinations, but any periods of depression or manic excitement are practically non-existent. The book presents the illness more as a thought disorder than as an affective one. While there frequently is some overlap, this case presents more like schizophrenia. Lastly, the commentary by the mother is so sentimental as to be sappy. While the informational content is somewhat informative and entertaining, I would not choose this book as an authoritative source on Bipolar Illness.

This account will ring true for any mother who has gone through similar circumstances, and bring tears to many eyes. But, like the story of Patty Duke and Dr. Kay Jamison, it gives hope to all who accept the fact that they have the illness and must stay on their medication. Life can still go on and be a fulfilling one.

This book tells the story of a young man who suffers from bipolar disorder, and how the illness affects his life and the lives of everyone around him. It is narrated by his mother, with his recalled thoughts entered throughout. As a person with bipolar disorder myself, I found it hit very close to home.An excellent read for anyone affected by manic-depression, and for those friends and family who surround them.

You can tell that the author is acknowledging that the Lord is first in all things.That we must Stop, Look & Listen to his daily influence in every step of our life. Her book made me realize that God is there! Right at the door waiting for us all to say "I Heard you, Lord." one of my many favorites is (When He Knocks at the Door).

This wonderful book of poetry touches the lives of all of us in many ways. The author has a great insight into the soul. I cannot wait to read her next book. I would recommend this book be on the Oprah's book list.

I Heard You Lord is an accurate account of the authors relationship with God. It gives examples of faith, anguish, and human emotions that one experiences in life. When you read the passages you can identify with the emotions and feelings that the author is conveying. It is an excellent book to keep by one's bedside and to refer to, when one is feeling the many pressures and burdens of life. Open up it's pages and find yourself and your circumstance and increase your faith and spirit in the Lord.

I liked the book. It kept you wondering if Liz checked yes or no. I hope she checked no. I think that she and Tom should get back together now. And to think that none of this would have started if Dana had not stolen that letter. Dana should confess. ( I know that won't happen). I also think that Liz should have talked to Tom after she ran into his father instead of having that shouting match in the cafeteria; a lot more could have been accomplished. Elizabeth should have also talked to Jessica about her acceptance to that school in Denver. I thought that it was kinda bad for Jessica to find out from her dorm mates. As for Nick, I think that he should go back to school, but he should start out part time instead of trying to go back full-time. I can see that he will be burned out by book 40. And finally some comments about Denise. That was so stupid of her to go out and run her credit card up like that. It was funny when that waiter told her that the restaurant was more selective about who they allow to come in and that her dessert order was childish. And she is only digging a deeper hole for herself by going to a bill consolidation place. What she needs to do is to find a part time job and find a Sweet Valley chapter of Consumer Credit Counseling Services. They will help her negotiate a payment schedule with the One Bank and her Student Loan department at SVU. This way, Denise will not have to pay higher interest fees by using a debt consolidation service.

Although I enjoyed the book, the plot is getting repetitive. For the past three books, Elizabeth and Tom have been trying to get through to each other, but still haven't achieved this. If they were really in love (which I believe they are) wouldn't you think that they would have talked about this in an orderly fashion by now? Dana is looking more and more like a self-centered, airheaded musician. As soon as Denise got her credit card, it was obvious that she would over charge on it. Jessica is dramatic as usual, but this time she is acting more like Elizabeth in that she's fighting for respect for women. In conclusion, this book was funny and enjoyable, but after about three books of the Elizabeth and Tom thing happening, I'm getting tired of it. Either get back together or forget about each other!

THis book have you heard about Elizabeth is really fun to read. It helps you think about how to solve teenage promblems. THen you can alwas read over and over. This kind of books are also addicting to read. Once you read one you have to read the rest.
THis book that I am reading is now is called Sweet Valley university have you heard about Elizabeht? It is a bout Jessica and her sister ELizabeth. THey are having some trouble with realationships . Jessica has a boyfriend named Nick . He does not want her to be in Bobby Hornets contest. It is a Bathing suit contest and nick disagrees because she wants to go on a date with Bobby Hornet. Later nick get drunk and does not know what to do. That is the only thing that he could think of to do.
That's enough about Jessica . LEts talk about Elizabeth. SHE is going through a tuff time in her life because she caught her boyfriend TOm kissing Dana. She saw with her own eyes so she had to break up with him. Elizabeth knows inside that she loves tomm but she can't express it when she see's Dana she starts to cry. Rumor says that Elizabeth is leaving Sweet Valley to get rid of seeing tom, but Elizabeth says no. WIll tom express to Elizabeth that he still loves her? Will Elizabeth stay in Sweet Valley.

I saw the movie a few months ago and was looking forward to receiving the book. I'm 18 and was disgusted at certain passages. I wouldn't even give this book one star. I'm glad that the movie writers saw the light in producing a movie completely different from this novel.

G.D. Gearino's novel "What the Deaf-Mute Heard" is kinda goofy, but worth the reading time. It tells the story of young Sammy Ayers who wakes up on a bus only to find his mother gone. He rides the bus to the last stop all the way into Barrington, Alabama. When the owner at the time, Jenkins, finds him, he decides to hold on to Sammy just in case somebody comes to get him. Nobody does. When Sammy learns that his mother won't come get him, he decides to unofficially settle in. He enrolls in school where he meets the biggest pain of his entire life: Tolliver Tynan, the local brat. Eventually, the book skips ahead a few years, where the world is questioning something huge. Who is greater? Jesus or John Lennon? Yes fans, this is set in the forties-sixties. Anyways, Sammy overhears Tolliver discussing a major road change that would cost the entire church insurance fund, and decides to report it. Now you have to undertand, this is coming from a man who has hardly said a word in 50 years. The story jumps around from being in the 40's right up to the big bonfire where they burn the albums. That's what makes the book unique. It tells as if Sammy's your grandpa. You can honestly say that if you ever hear a story from your grandpa he skips around. All in all, it's a good book, and worth the reading time. Oh and one more thing, this is not a book for the young ones. He doesn't hold anything back. I recommend for 10 and up.

I agree wholeheartedly that G D Gearino should be a much more recognized author. This guy has a wonderful style of writing-reminding me somewhat of another favorite author of mine - Dominick Dunne. I truly hated for the book to end. At times it was totally laugh out loud funny - which doesn't happen for me while reading very often. His writing style just keeps you hanging on and wanting to read more-therefore always keeping your curiosity up. The story was great - this is one of my favorite books ever! This book will NOT be passed on to the thrift shops - I will read it again.

When I first received this book, I thought that it would be one of those tedious books that you have to write reviews on while in school. While reading the first chapter, I confirmed that thought for myself, and left the book for a week or so. The first chapter, to me, was this quite confusing chapter which had no real beginning or end, and no real meaning. When I finally had to read the book to start writing my review, I struggled through the first chapter again. And then I came to the second. What a breath of fresh air it was, and from then onwards, the book flowed as the rivers and streams that it describes.

The story is one that is very true to the world today - it talks about a culture that is slowly being lost to technology. It is a very touching story, about love, loss, friendship, trust....in fact it is about every conceivable human emotion. It is told in a beautiful way, that iss incredibly realistic, and transports you to its setting. The myths and stories that are described are very insightful of the tribal culture. The stories were believed whole-heartedly, even though they may seem childish and unbelievable. But it is that childish innocence that allowed these tribes to thrive and live in a peaceful way. The dimension that the vicar from the outside world brings is interesting in the sense that although he symbolises the technology that is overshadowing the tribal culture, he is the one who is trying his best to maintain it. It shows how a simple life can silence the want for a more luxurious one.

All in all, this book is extremely good, and I recommend it as a very interesting read. The author has managed to show a culture that is dying out, without distorting it or adding overly-fictitious elements. Simply beautiful.

As I finished reading this book the grandeur and emotion hit me hard. This is a beautiful piece of writing that takes you deep into the heart of a remote indian village, and the young vicar sent as a missionary there. If you made it through this book with out even giving the way you live your life a second thought I highly suggest that you read it again because you obviously didn't get the meaning. The young vicar is sent to the village to learn an important lesson about life. While he is there he is excepted into the village and finds that the simplicity of the village is being ruined by the ways of the white man. The myths and traditions that are usually passed down through the ages are being forgotten because no new generations wish to learn them. In this extrodinary tale you see into the world of Mark Brian and the small indian village he learned to love and call home.

The book called ' I Heard The Owl Call My Name' is about a young vicar who goes to live with the natives and learn about their culture. The young vicar was about to die, but he had to teach the natives about white culture, especially religion. The book is really interesting but a little complicated in the first chapter. Margaret Craven, the author, writes the book with a sense of truth that comes from being a native. This encourages you to read the book. And you get a sense of really being in the villages and know exactly what is going on, at the very moment. If you can get through the first chapter, the other chapters become very easy and they come alive an realness that steals your breath away. When you read a few chapters ahead you get to understand what the meaning of the first chapter was really about. The author was trying to make her readers feel exactly what the character was feeling. The rest of the book is some what confusing, yet riveting. One after another experience goes on in the book. I did not want to put the book down. I could see myself in the village because everything seemed real. I would recommend this book to anyone. There is no age limin, as long as you love reading and want to know about the natives way of living this book is for you. By: Danielle Ashman

I'm pretty stingy with my 4 & 5 star recommendations; so take that in consideration!

One of the most interesting aspects of this book - one quite surprising to me - was the subtle humor delivered deftly by some of the characters. Some of Slavko's thoughts and comments made me laugh out loud & share them with my husband.

I was fascinated & also repulsed by The Teacher - probably just as the author intended.

Well written, a QUICK read. I would have liked a little more character development with a few of the characters - makes me wonder if the author had a "page-thirsty" editor!

Sign me -- a 40-year-old avid reader

George Dawes Green, The Juror (Warner, 1995)

George Dawes Green wrote The Caveman's Valentine, which netted him the Edgar. He then followed it up with the euqally acclaimed The Juror, and proceeded to drop off the face of the earth, foiling a carefully-plotted career as a bestselling mystery novelist. Go figure. Based on the quality of his first two books, a whole lot of folks wish he'd come back.

Green's second novel introduces us to The Teacher, a part-time mob enforcer, Taoist, and grower of rare orchids whose present job entails tampering with a jury to make sure his part-time employer doesn't go to jail. Problem is, the Teacher starts getting emotionally involved the the juror, and the two of them end up doing a rather dysfunctional dance that ends up with a whole lot of people dying.

It's an absorbing novel, and a quick read. The characters are strongly drawn and identifiable, and the plot is excellently paced. The book's main flaw is that it relies a bit much on coincidences (of the "of all the gin joints in the world..." variety) that stretch credibility too far. But mystery novels rely on coincidence, and so we have to be willing to forgive Green in order to bask in the luxury of his writing. And it is certainly worth forgiving him, as the characters he creates here will be with you long after you turn the last page. *** 1/2

A brilliantly readable piece of work. Doesn't seem like only a second book Personally I feel the book is made more readable beacause of the brilliant chracterisation of the Teacher, the Mafia fixit man. His sheer brilliance and personality make u want to find out more and more about him What makes him Tick is what will keep u going. Buy it Read it and thank me later email at aptechch@giaspn01.vsnl.net.in