History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music

Average customer rating:

toni's opinion,
no billy joel or bob segar? thank God!!!!
Great!
The must have for basic rock review
We Didn't Start the Fire

The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music
Rolling Stone Magazine
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679737286
Release Date: 1992-11-10

Book Description

The ultimate illustrated history of rock & roll--comprehensive, authoritative, and fully updated with coverage of the most important new sounds and artists of the 1980s and `90s.

Customer Reviews:

toni's opinion,.......2007-05-30

Deserves 5stars, but it is just a copy,the photos are quiet dark,
the editors are five stars,
Thanks,
toni

no billy joel or bob segar? thank God!!!!.......2007-01-19

Rolling Stone has long been the "Gold Standard" for rock journalism. Any history of rock and roll that doesn't have Billy Joel or Bob Seger is all right by me. I need to update my copy right away! Great job, as usual, Rolling Stone!!!!!

Great!.......2007-01-04

Bought this for my 16-year-old son, and he is studying it like I've never seen him study anything. It is a great way to educate our younger people on the beginnings of rock-n-roll, and every day, my son says "Mom, did you know that..." and shares some new thing he learned from the book. Very complete reference guide, also, and interesting to look through even for an old fogey like me. Worth every penny.

The must have for basic rock review.......2006-03-19

While the "history" is mostly a series of editorial reviews combined with facts, you will learn about the basics and some interesting tidbits as well. It's also a great way to have comprehensive listing of all of an artist's released music.

We Didn't Start the Fire.......2006-02-06

The reason Rolling Stone leaves out artists like Billy Joel, Three Dog Night and Bob Seagar is because they are nowhere near the top echelon of rock and roll artists. The reason they heap praise on the Rolling Stones is because the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock band in the history of the genre. And the reason the Beatles get two chapters is because no other artist has had as much impact on rock and roll music as the Beatles. Get real, people!

Exile on Main St.: A Season in Hell with the Rolling Stones

Average customer rating:

Another "Music" book which skips the "music"
Not Much About the Record Itself
don't bother reading/buying
Exiled! Get the Janovitz book instead.
quick read, but still not worth the time

Exile on Main St.: A Season in Hell with the Rolling Stones
Robert Greenfield
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0306814331

Book Description

Recorded during the blazing summer of 1971 at Villa Nellcote, Keith Richards' seaside mansion in the south of France, Exile on Main St. has been hailed as one of the Rolling Stones' best albums--and one of the greatest rock records of all time. Yet its improbable creation was difficult, torturous...and at times nothing short of dangerous.

In self-imposed exile, the Stones--along with wives, girlfriends, and a crew of hangers-on unrivaled in the history of rock--spent their days smoking, snorting, and drinking whatever they could get their hands on. At night, the band descended like miners into the villa's dank basement to lay down tracks. Out of those grueling sessions came the familiar riffs and rhythms of "Rocks Off," "Tumbling Dice," "Happy," and "Sweet Virginia."

All the while, a variety of celebrities--John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Gram Parsons among them--stumbled through the villa's neverending party, as did the local drug dealers, known to one and all as "les cowboys." Villa Nellcote became the crucible in which creative strife, outsize egos, and all the usual byproducts of the Stones' legendary hedonistic excess fused into something potent, volatile, and enduring.

Here, for the first time, is the season in hell that produced Exile on Main St.

Customer Reviews:

Another "Music" book which skips the "music" .......2007-09-10

I just finished this book. It is similar to the recent one on Derek and the Dominoes. All kinds of tabloid info on drugs, women and other debauchery but extremely short on the music. There are also glaring mistakes: 1. the author claims Jumpin' Jack Flash was on the Sticky Fingers album (wrong - it was a single released two years earlier). 2. he claims that Mick Taylor replaced Clapton in the Bluesbreakers (wrong, Taylor replaced Peter Green). 3. He claims the song "Dandelion" was on the album Satanic Majesty's Request. False. This is basic information and there is no excuse for getting it wrong. Not an auspicious beginning to the book. At the end of the book a few pages are thrown in discussing the music (which he claims are for (paraphrase - not exact words) eccentric people who like all this music stuff - I guess he means those of us who are not interested in tabloid gossip). If you're interested in what drugs Mick and Keith were taking or how many people Anita Pallenberg slept with, get this book. If you're interested in music, however, consider looking elsewhere. This book is a big disappointment. It is akin to a teen going out on a date waiting to kiss the girl good night and at the end she just says "see 'ya" and leaves you on the street. Not at all recommended.

Not Much About the Record Itself.......2007-08-02

I picked this up while waiting for a plane to Philly. As a musician, I was pleased to find a book that (I thought) was about the making of one of my favorite recordings. This is a fast read. It's really just about the debauchery that took place while the record was being made and readied for market. Those of us who were old enough to remember this period of music history will learn absolutely nothing new here. I like the earlier review with the sarcastic proclamation "oh my God! Keith Richards took drugs!" That about sums it up. There's really very little (maybe a couple of sentences) about the actual sessions. I don't recommend it. I left it in the hotel room in Philly.

don't bother reading/buying.......2007-07-06

Read 'Terry (Milwaukee)''s comments first. Dead-on analysis of this book; poorly written and often distracting - somewhere between a sophmore book report and a gossip column. Oddly organized and consistently annoying with the "music lyric seques"... it was a frustrating chore to read this book.

One thing I never figured out - was the author even at Nellcote (Cote d'azur in France)? I was never able to determine what, if any, relationship he actually had to the Rolling Stones...

Exiled! Get the Janovitz book instead........2007-06-26

I just finished reading this and the whole time I was making notes about the problems -- the factual errors, the reliance on Sanchez's shady material, the bad wordplay and the author's irritating use of the present tense.

But then I came to this page and realized that the book has already been slammed again and again for those very same reasons.

So, my short review: Word.

Slightly longer review: Greenfield's usually pretty good (regarding his book on Bill Graham I have to drop the music geek cliche: "seminal") but this book is a bust. Without referencing the music this book loses all context and it could almost be about any band, any party. Still, if you want dirt, dirt you get.

** A much better recent book is Bill Janovitz's book about "Exile" in the 33-1/3rd series. **

Janovitz (who led the band Buffalo Tom and writes extensively for AMG) covers the music with a musician's expertise without getting boring, and he brings to the table the genuine enthusiasm of a Stones fan. Plus, it's cheaper and cool and hip-pocket sized without being too small.

quick read, but still not worth the time.......2007-05-02

I was at the library and stumbled on this book, Exile on Main Street, a Season in Hell with the Rolling Stones by Robert Greenfield, so I grabbed it.Really quick read, so I finished it, but it was pretty weak!

The book is about the summer in the France when the Stones recorded most of Exile on Main Street, in '71.
Basically, the gist of the story is that, over 35 years ago, the Stones hung out, did a lot of drugs, slept with alot of people, and often weren't very nice to each other, or to other people. Oh, and Keith was a heroin addict. And...there were a bunch of other people hanging around. Wow, what a ground breaking account. Oh, no, wait, everyone already knew all that.

The author professes himself some sort of expert, and spends a good chunk of this lighweight book tearing down other people who've written about the Stones, even going so far as to suggest one person "call his (Greenfield's) office" with any questions on the Stones.
Then, a page later, he says Jumpin Jack Flash is on Sticky Fingers.

Of course, it's not.

He seems to particularly have it in for "Spanish" Tony Sanchez, who years ago wrote a tell-all book on the Stones. It's funny how much time he devotes to tearing down Sanchez and trying to discredit much of what he wrote, when it seems Sanchez's book was the primary source of info for this book.

It seemed about 3 out of 4 accounts/stories in Greenfield's book begin with "According to Tony Sanchez..". Then the 4th story would begin the same way, but Greenfield would claim the story inaccurate and would provide pretty much the same one interview John Perry didwith Anita Pallenberg, for his book on Exile, to discredit it.

Greenfield never says he was there that summer, or gives any indication to make the reader think he was there, from reading this book you wouldn't know if he was or not. He seems to just be recounting stories told by other people. He devotes alot of energy to tearing down people who there there hanging around partying who didn't have a "job to do" or reason to be there. Was he there? And if so why? Did he have a "job to do"? Or did he just collect stories to throw into a sloppy, poorly written book 35+ years later?

The book is pretty poorly written and the tone is often annoying.

Quick read but still a waste of what little time it will take you to read it. There are definately better books on the Stones out there.

S.T.P.: A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones

Average customer rating:

Interesting Read with Some Glaring Errors
'OUTLAWS IN LOVE...KINGS OF THE DECADENT LAWN.'
Stones Use STP In Their Tanks To Tour America!!!
*Richards*, the man's name is *Richards*
ROLLING WITH THE STONES '72

S.T.P.: A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones
Robert Greenfield
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306811995
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Book Description

The classic insider's account of the Rolling Stones' legendary 1972 STP tour.

Thirty years ago, the Rolling Stones swept America, taking Exile on Main Street to Main Streets across the nation. Everyone held their breath to see what would happen; the Stones' previous U.S. tour had been a chaotic circus culminating in the infamous death of a fan at Altamont. And this tour (the "Stones Touring Party") was rumored to be wilder than ever: bigger shows in major arenas, with a far larger entourage and even more drugs. Robert Greenfield went along for the ride, and came away with a riveting insider's account, called by Ian Rankin "one of the greatest rock books ever written." The reality lived up to the rumor: take one part Lee Radziwill, a dash of Truman Capote, set the scene at Hef's Playboy mansion, and toss in the county jail for good measure. That was the Stones Touring Party, the ultimate rock 'n' roll band at the height of its spectacular depravity.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Read with Some Glaring Errors.......2007-08-15

Greenfield's first book on the Rolling Stones chronicling their North American tour of 1972 is far better than his recent "Exile On Main Street: A Season in Hell with the Rolling Stones". I enjoyed the style of writing and the bird's eye view of things that went on during the tour. I knew that the Stones' touring party was typically fairly depraved but I really had no idea of the extent of that depravity. I hate to be all PC and all that but young women (girls really) were treated as something to use and throw away. There are several accounts of young women who, while not part of the Stones Touring Party, were highly visible throughout the tour, used up for sordid entertainment, allowed themselves to be completely humiliated without even realizing it (the airplane film incident), and discarded like garbage. It's very sad the things that some of these young women did in order to be near that glittering star. I wonder how they feel today? Everything had to be cleared by Jagger and Richards, these two men have much to atone for, really.

There are some really dumb and glaring mistakes and that fact that this is a second edition publication make them unforgivable really:

For example, on page 115 Greenfield tells us about how a young Mick Taylor took Eric Clapton's place in Mayall's Blues Breakers. Greenfield must have smoked an awful lot of dope in his day. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about the music of that era knows that Peter Green (who went on to found the original Fleetwood Mac) replaced Clapton. Mick Taylor replaced Peter Green. Duh? That's rock-guitar history/appreciation 101 and Greenfield gets a big fat "F"

On page 117 Greenfield mentions men in Denver washing their cars in the drive way and wondering what kind of season the Denver Bears were going to have... What? While it is true that in the late 50's and very early 60's Denver did have a semi-pro football team called the Denver Bears (almost NO-ONE in Denver remembers this), by 1972, Bronco mania had long taken hold in Denver (I was there). The Broncos were just a couple of years shy of their first appearance in a string of many very disappointing Superbowl performances (thank God they got that monkey of their backs).

Didn't this guy have an editor? Who proofed this darn thing? Presumably a member of the Stones Touring Party who was just as stoned as everyone else. Again, this is a second edition boys and girls. Mistakes like the two cited above are good examples of shoddy authorship and editing. Maybe some writing course will use them as examples.

Those two mistakes are glaring and it leaves me wondering about how many not so glaring mistakes this book also contains.

'OUTLAWS IN LOVE...KINGS OF THE DECADENT LAWN.'.......2006-07-30

I read this book sometime around 1975 when it first surfaced as a highly literate diary chronicling the Rolling Stones 1972 tour of America.Basking in the reflected glory of the (then and arguably still)'greatest rock n' roll band in the world';the author is afforded access all areas,and guides the reader from bickering rehearsal sessions,through rigid security meetings and late flights,until finally you are granted a carte blanche ticket for the greatest show on earth.Greenfield's cultured and informative reporting hurls you head-first into the crazed and ruthless world of the maelstrom that is The Rolling Stones in all their sometimes heavy-handed glory.Wonderfully entertaining stories unfold throughout this incredible journey as the outlaws
in love march like kings,across the decadent sprawling lawns of
mighty America.Pure zeitgeist.Great stuff.
After reading this book you just wanna'play 'Exile on Main St.'
at serious volume and wish that you never had to go to work again.(Oh'well..)

Stones Use STP In Their Tanks To Tour America!!!.......2004-07-04

Why would anyone want to read a book about a tour that took place more than 30 years ago, in support of what is arguably the Rolling Stones most overrated album?? (Yes, Exile on Main Street does have some very good material, and excellent performances, but the "bathroom" (read: poor) sound quality, heralded by too many critics as being "influential" does not hold up well after all these years. Some of us would like to understand the lyrics, please!) Because the book is very well written by a good, observant, refreshingly unbiased journalist, and because like Jim Bouton's baseball classic Ball Four, S.T.P. was one of the first books that spawned an entire genre of rock books about specific bands. Many of the episodes still hold interest today, particularly the Playboy Mansion scenes in Chicago, and the details of the bands arrest and subsequent release (arranged by then-Mayor of Boston Kevin White to prevent a riot) from a Rhode Island jail: the Stones were supposed to be playing a concert at the very moment they were incarcerated. Many interesting characters stand out as well, particularly Truman Capote, Princess Lee Radziwill, and Jagger himself. One thing I feel must be noted: If you are younger than fortysomething, you may be surprised at the sheer amount of ANGER felt by many of the kids, who were just itching to clash with police. In many ways, that was typical of the times, and thankfully, for the most part, such behavior would not be tolerated today. In sum, if you are a Stones fan, or a fan of great rock writing, get S.T.P. ASAP. Trust me, like the namesake gas treatment, it'll put a tiger in your tank!!!

*Richards*, the man's name is *Richards*.......2004-02-18

The first hundred or so pages are so fixated on Mick Jagger that you wonder if Mr Greenfiel is ever going to notice that the Rolling Stones consist of way more than a frontman. But once he finally does realize that - apparently a concert or two was enough to convince him - it's a pretty good read. There are some obvious inaccuracies (including mistaking butterflies for doves); and the stuff about the people and events orbiting around the Stones on this tour is sometimes overlong. Some of it, though, works nicely to bring back the atmosphere of the times.

It's unfortunate that Mr Greenfiel didn't have the courtesy to correct Keith's surname in this re-edition - who cares how the publicists were misspelling it at the time?! That grates, as do the lame attempts to capture regional pronunciation. Just talk normal, please, Mr Greenfiel! And repeat after me: it's *Richards*.

In other words: Stanley Booth's _True Adventures of the Rolling Stones_ is miles better - really fine writing, a superior grasp of what the Stones are about, *and* he knows what Keith's surname is - but this one'll do between re-readings of Stanley's.

ROLLING WITH THE STONES '72.......2003-05-04

After being out of print for almost 30 years, I'm glad to see S.T.P. finally available. I've seen and heard references to it for years. I almost broke down and bought a used copy of it on eBay several times. I'm sure glad I waited (and saved a lot of money). While not focused entirely on the Stones themselves, this book does a good job of giving you the flavor of what it was like to tour North America in the summer of '72 with the Stones (and assorted hangers-on) as they brought Exile On Main Street (and Stevie Wonder) to the masses. I couldn't make it all the way through without pulling out my DVD copy of C.S. Blues (the making of which was mentioned in the book). A great look back at the Stones in their prime.

Rolling Stone 1,000 Covers: A History of the Most Influential Magazine in Pop Culture

Average customer rating:

Rolling Stone 1,000 Covers: A History of the Most Influential Magazine in Pop Culture
Rolling Stone , and Jann Wenner
Manufacturer: "Harry N. Abrams, Inc."
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

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ASIN: 0810958651

Book Description

For the past 39 years, the covers of Rolling Stone have depicted the great icons of popular culture, from John Lennon, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Madonna to Steve Martin, Uma Thurman, and Richard Nixon. Often it was an appearance on the cover that launched a performer's legendary status in the first place. An enormous hit when it appeared in 1997 as Rolling Stone: The Complete Covers, 1967-1997 (nearly 100,000 copies sold in all editions), this fantastic collection has been revised and updated to include the covers since 1997 up to the much-publicized 1,000th cover, slated to hit newsstands in May 2006.

With an updated introduction by Jann S. Wenner as well as new excerpts from the magazine and quotes from photographers and their celebrity subjects, this nostalgic journey down the memory lane of pop music, entertainment, and politics is irresistible.

Average customer rating:

Awesome Coffee Table Book
Superb Book - Rolling with the Stones
If you only buy one Stones Photo History--Buy This One
Greatest book on the stones!!!
Not To Be Missed By Any Stones Lover...

Rolling with the Stones
Bill Wyman
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0789489678
Release Date: 2002-10-28

Amazon.com

Of his own choosing, Bill Wyman's career as a founding member of the Rolling Stones has achieved a perspective that his legendary bandmates don't yet enjoy: a beginning, middle, and end. Indeed, the musicians once hailed as the greatest rock & roll band in the world have become more like the band that wouldn't die. But history can't be denied, and the man born William Perks of Lower Sydenham, London, has lovingly assembled this over-500-page book, equal parts memoir and lavishly illustrated coffee-table tome, with a winning mix of clear-eyed reportage (based on his own voluminous diaries) and an eye for colorful detail and ephemera worthy of a proud family scrapbook. Which, in many ways, Rolling with the Stones most resembles: family--and musical--trees are acknowledged, career moves dissected, deaths mourned, and triumphs and foibles alike are dispensed with equal candor. Wyman deflates the myth of the Stones as rock's preternatural bad boys (a conservative, sensationalist press made it all too easy to live down to expectations) yet allows the tragic legend of band founder Brian Jones to assume its proper perspective. A half-decade older than his bandmates, the retired Stone has few illusions about the band's true cultural impact and creative arc, devoting nearly three-quarters of the book to the Stones' first, turbulent decade. What is more gratifying is that he avoids the myopic constraints of the similarly sized Beatles Anthology, generously weaving the recollections of band members, associates, family, reporters, and even fan letters into a narrative whose outline is epic, but whose viewpoint has a decidedly human scale. --Jerry McCulley

Book Description

A backstage pass to the Rolling Stones from Bill Wyman, founder of the Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones, commonly referred to as the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band, epitomize everything that's excessive, lavish, exciting, and powerful about rock music. Now, founding member and bass player Bill Wyman presents an honest and humorous account that serves as a backstage pass to the band's history, from drug busts, to tax exile, to solo careers. Straight from Wyman's huge personal archive, Rolling with the Stones features previously unreleased letters, photographs, memorabilia, and personal journals. With over 2000 photographs, more than 45 beautifully designed tour spreads, song lists from every show, and biographies on each band member, there is no need for any other Stones book to be written.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Coffee Table Book.......2007-09-04

Great Book, Nicely made, Great rare pic, and Bill Wymans story is a great detailed and true one.
Must have for the Stones fan.

Superb Book - Rolling with the Stones.......2007-05-30

For a first purchase, this book exceeded expectations both for content and value for money. Bill Wyman has included many items of interest relating to happenings of the time. Very readable and an excellent archivist. The ease of purchasing such a bargain will ensure that I will certainly make purchases from Amazon in the future. I purchased the book as a present, but will keep an eye out for a copy for myself as this was the only one left in stock at the time ordering.

If you only buy one Stones Photo History--Buy This One.......2006-11-13

Bill Wyman's book about the Rolling Stones is a superior effort. The book is similar in layout to the Beatles Anthology or the 'According to the Stones' book which followed Wyman's and was written by the remaining members of the group. Here are the reasons I believe this is the best Stones picture history on the market.

1. Wyman has attempted to be fair to all members, past and present. His treatment of Brian Jones is sympathetic without pulling punches. He acknowledges Jones as the founder and driving force behind the band, and he laments his loss.

2. Wyman has a prodigious collection of Stones ephemera, which he began saving almost from day one, so that he could show his kids that he had been in a rock and roll band for the two or three years he expected the ride to last. There are literally hundreds of color photos of Stones stuff in this book. It's like going back in time or going to the world's best Rolling Stones museum. And it is put together with love and fits Wyman's narrative perfectly. Wyman also has a lot of items dealing with other bands from the period that traveled with them, influenced them, or just existed at the same time and are of interest to the history of rock and roll.

3. The writing is superb. There is very little "I" in this book. Wyman has carefully made it a history of the band, rarely mentioning his own personal experiences except where they are historically significant. This modesty is refreshing and makes the book more credible than 'According to the Rolling Stones'.

4. The book is well-thought-out and well put together. It is a delight to read from cover to cover and will be a book you will return to and re-read to find out more about the background and historical context of the songs. It is also very reasonably priced. I got mine from Amazon used for around five dollars and it was the best five bucks I've spent in a long time on a book.

Buy it, treasure it. And thank you, Bill, for giving readers such a fun and informative look inside the life of one of the world's greatest rock and roll bands.

Greatest book on the stones!!!.......2006-06-21

I have read multiple books on the Rolling Stones and music in general and this is by far one of the best. The pictures are unique, many not seen anywhere else, and the writing is definitely frank, honest, and amusing. You won't be able to put this book down!

Not To Be Missed By Any Stones Lover..........2005-11-27

Just finished reading "According To The Rolling Stones" the Anthology sketch of the band in their own words...a good book but Bill was rarely mentioned at all...now in this excellent snapshot of the band's history written by Bill you get the full scoop,total and penetrating with great photos and memorabiilia worthy of any one's coffee table or library.
Reading this gives a finer more detailed picture of the band from the elder Stone,...Not very deep nor insightful as regards to the making of the music or the real psyche of the Stones but a basic understanding is there even though it is a bit superficial..The total excitement and colour of this piece of history is essential and is captured well in this collectible book which what it set out to do.

Average customer rating:

Proceed with caution!
I may disagree heavily, however...
great
Typical Rolling Stone
Total fluff - some voters' favorites but not the greatest albums

500 Greatest Albums of All Times, The
Editors of Rolling Stone , and Joe Levy
Manufacturer: Wenner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1932958010

Book Description

In the continuing tradition of Rolling Stones in-depth coverage of the legends of musicfrom the seminal songs to the greatest guitaristscomes Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Compiled by the editors of Rolling Stone, the widely-recognized bible of popular music, and a star-studded panel of rock n roll experts, the Rolling Stone 500 is the definitive collection of the greatest albums ever made and a need-to-own for the true music fan. This collectors volume contains the best from the Rolling Stone archivesinside stories and never-before-seen photographs taken at the great recording sessions.

Customer Reviews:

Proceed with caution!.......2007-07-22

Okay, before I go on, I would like to say that this is not a subjective review. I am not trying to beat the fact that the Eagles and Led Zeppelin (though, in the latter band's case, good) are gruesomely overrated while Herbie Hancock and The Allman Brothers Band are gruesomely underrated into anyone's heads. I am stating my opinion, which I know quite well differs greatly from fact, because opinion by nature cannot be fact.
Rolling Stone pompously declares the 500 albums in this list to be the 500 best ever. In this case, there'd be a lot more jazz on this list, right? Well, according to the good folks at Rolling Stone, "jazz" consists of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman - don't get me wrong, some of jazz's greatest artists. But doesn't Charles Mingus deserve some credit, if only for widely influential works like Mingus Ah Um or The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady? Similarly, Thelonious Monk's Underground, widely considered one of the genre's greatest albums, is totally neglected. How about Herbie Hancock's tremendously influential Head Hunters, Empyrean Isles and Maiden Voyage? They're gone too. And if they wanted a rock spin on jazz, shouldn't the Mahavishnu Orchestra's Inner Mounting Flame been included? Alas, no, that is rejected too. To say nothing of the works of Duke Ellington or Louie Armstrong. You can bet they don't give that a second look. Stupid, it is. Oh, and there are six jazz albums out of these 500: three by Miles (Kind of Blue; B*tches Brew; Sketches of Spain), two by Coltrane (A Love Supreme; Giant Steps), one by Ornette (Shape of Jazz to Come). By contrast, Eminem (a lightweight, obnoxious shock-rapper whose material isn't even that shocking at all) is fawned over - three of his albums are included on this list, which I believe was his complete discography at that point. Similarly, two albums by the Eagles? Ha. And Green Day's Dookie? Again, ha. Also MIA are some more influential and just plain good albums: Jeff Beck's Truth (the original metal album - you'll note how much praise they place on Led Zeppelin's head, who, while a good band, were essentially imitating Jeff Beck) and Wired; Traffic's John Barleycorn and self-titled; Alice in Chain's Dirt. And no matter what this list would want you to believe, there is far more to Joni Mitchell than Blue and Court & Spark.
Wh
ich leads directly into my next point: no dark horses I can think of. A seasoned music fan could probably smell the contents of this list from a mile away. All they offer us is the usual cascade of albums that have been met with floods and floods of praise. I, for one, would rather see them stick up for a relatively unknown album like Joni Mitchell's Hissing of Summer Lawns or the Rolling Stones' Goats Head Soup (or the Allman Brothers' Eat a Peach and Idlewild South!!!) than see yet another list with Hotel California or Led Zeppelin IV on it.
I give this album 2 stars because I do agree with several choices this book makes, though I would argue their positioning (I, for one, would put Abbey Road at #1). However, there are too many fundamental flaws, and the scope of this list is too limited, to make it truly definitive.
Oh, and anybody looking to contest my claim about Led Zeppelin IV, Dookie Hotel California, or any other albums I claim do not belong on this list (e.g. Pet Sounds - god, what a boring album)... if you say what you wish to in a polite, civilized manner, I will listen to your claim and debate it in similar polite, civilized terms. On the other hand, if you wish to confine your comments to pointless immature sniping, I believe you know where I will instruct you to stick it, because I've heard it all before. So to all flamers, don't bother, as your flame will be ignored.

I may disagree heavily, however..........2007-07-05

It is because of this book that I got into two of my favorite artists, Neil Young and the Velvet Underground. I guess thank you for that.

But of course there are flaws. Sgt. Peppers shouldn't have been number 1. I don't think I'm alone in saying that that isn't the Beatles best work.
Also, how could No Doubt's "Rock Steady" do better than the Smashing Pumpkins' "Siamese Dream" and "Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness"? It doesn't add up.
What I think happened is that the first 150 or 200 albums were very honestly thought out. After that, it was any halfway decent album they could think of.
I did find this to be a enjoyable read, but I diagree. To each their own; you be the judge.

great.......2007-02-18

It gives you all you need for the perfect glossary of music. You have pictures of the albums, numbers of how good the record is, and a decription of the album and why it was good. And about every 5 paes they is artifects of old lyrics and decriptions where they made them. I think that any music lover or fanatic should have it. The only downside is that you might not agree with some of their decisions on where to place the albums. I say it's a must have.

Typical Rolling Stone .......2007-01-29

If you're looking for a decent read that summarizes some great albums, this book does a decent job. But please don't pay much attention to the album rankings. The Beatles are the greatest band ever, but are not worthy of top ten dominance. Some selections are just plain questionable. Also, you can tell that in their attempt to put some contemporary music in the book, they didn't know what to do, particularly with their grunge and hiphop selections. The book is worth the purchase. Just don't run out and buy the 500 albums according to RS's opinion.

Total fluff - some voters' favorites but not the greatest albums.......2007-01-18

This is at best an amusing coffee table book, so why does it call itself "The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time?" Surely such a title alludes to the musical contributions of the albums - not necessarily if they are pet favorites of some, even famous, rock critics. The problem was the method. Ask a hundred rock critics to compile a list of the greatest albums and they will list either what they feel they should list to stay hip with readers or what they personally loved the most. Recipe for disaster. Bias multiplied by a hundred. In short, you get a massive hodge-podge of personal bests, not necessarily an historical evaluation of which records were the most important. Thus, a dumbing down occurs, rather than a serious analysis of the best music from the past half century.

That is exactly what happened with the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. It works fine as a glamorous exposition of albums that sold well in their time and are favorites of their fans (the contributing critics), but not as a serious list of what really constitutes on a musical level (that is, minus the hype) the greatest albums. Which is a great shame, since compiling a list of the "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" ordinarily invites such a selectiveness.

Isn't the whole fun and point in creating a list like this to be able to argue: "surely we have to put Dylan before the Beatles as Lennon's more interesting lyrics were influenced by him, and also because the Beatles wrote meaningless ditties compared to Dylan's poetic commentaries?" "Sure, but then if we consider Sgt. Pepper important for its use of the studio, then we must place Pet Sounds before it since its experimental use of the studio inspired McCartney to produce this Beatles album with Geroge Martin's innovative recording techniques?" And so on and so forth. Thus, the criteria in creating such a list must be to what extent the album was ahead of its time, influencing others, or daring to do something with music that had not yet been dared, trying very hard to stay on that level and not stoop to the temptation of including albums merely for their sales or fame (and let's be honest, these critics are partly responsible along with the label's marketing staff and budget, for an album's hype anyway).

I am not about to use some examples merely to whine and complain about personal favorites, but rather to support and illustrate my hypothesis. Highly innovative musicians whose styles were extremely original and who influenced modern rock are glaringly missing.

For example, no Nico. It is true that the average rock listener may not even know who Nico was, but her dazzling originality on an album such as Desert Shore has influenced thousands of modern Alternative artists. I can't even think of another artist from the era of Desert Shore or Marble Index that produced a sound as unique as hers.

Another extremely glaring ommission - no Robert Wyatt. Hard to imagine a greater musical genius in rock loved more by other artists and music lovers - both in Soft Machine (a band that along with early Pink Floyd were extremely experimental and innovative in the English scene) and in his solo career with an album such as Rock Bottom that is probably one of the most accomplished rock albums of all time. Such an album is certainly "greater" than this book's #1 album, Sgt. Pepper, since that Beatles album was inspired by an already thriving psychedelic scene that that band did not create nor was even part of, even though, yes, that album may have been the scene's best seller and its most famous. This is where sales and hype constitute two variables that tend to take first place to musical importance in this book.

Another extraordinarily original artist in rock music was Tim Buckley whose Lorca and Starsailor are among the most original albums of popular music ever created, both missing in this book's list.

The Krautrock bands like Faust, Can, Neu!, Popol Vuh, or Amon Duul were each extraordinarily original for their time, and influenced almost every pop genre that followed them (from punk to progressive to modern alternative) - but they are not even listed once, despite their huge contribution!

You see the problem? By listing almost every Beatles album, for example, when only about 2 were truly original works (Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road, for their use of sounds, medleys, mixes, instruments and the studio itself) places are wasted for other important selections. It is incredible to see no Pere Ubu among early punk influences - the Modern Dance for instance. If you don't believe me, this is what Wikipedia says about Pere Ubu: "they have been hugely influential on several generations of forward-thinking musicians and are among the most critically acclaimed American musical groups." You will find a similar determination of greatness if you do research on Wikipedia or in rock history books on any of the other artists I mentioned, and there are dozens more I did not list.

For instance, how come no John Fahey, no Red Crayola, and why, among modern artists, no Lisa Germano, one of the most original from the 1990s?

You must all be acquainted with the influence of Asian instruments and sounds in the rock music of the 1960s, and the departure from the short ditties of the early 1960s (e.g., the Beatles' Love Me Do and Please Please Me) to the extended, raga-ish works of the middle to late '60s, as rock matured, gobbling up not only so-called World Music but also the improvisational quality of jazz? By that estimation, early musicians such as Robbie Basho and Sandy Bull were early geniuses showing rock the way with their accoustic instrumentalism. And, of course, you would not even know it from this book.

Do any of you know what geniuses a band such as the Vampire Rodents were? They combined metal, melodic rock, punk, jazz and even classical in their highly original albums. Their sound was so unique and creative at least one of their albums should rank among the greatest of all time? There are tons of artists like this from the 1980s to the present day that are completely missing from this book, yet deserve a mention when you have 500 titles to include. What about extremely hyped artists like Radiohead, Elvis Presley and U2? Should they be listed at all compared with the true trailblazers? Controversial, well that is what modern popular music is supposed to be. It is supposed to be about novelty, experimentation, risk, passion, inventiveness, no?

This book does not even scratch the surface of such a discussion, it does not even provide intelligent commentary from one album to the next, and so while it might provide entertainment, it simply does not live up to its name. This does not mean I think you should not be in possession of it - there is a place for fluffy coffee-table books, after all, the coffee table! It simply means it is not a real collection of the greatest albums of rock as the title implies, so don't be fooled if you are interested in discovering great modern music. On the other hand, you will only learn by developing a vast library like me, with some works more useful than others, until you can form your own opinions. I would say that every album in this book is worth listening to at least once, so the book is not completely useless. But if you do listen to some of these, don't let it be said I did not warn you!!

This book may have some sociological significance as a work reflecting the influence of sales and hype upon rock critics. But for a serious appreciation of the greatest albums, do not look into this tome or you will be greatly disappointed (although obviously many classics are included, inevitably). It is not surprising that this list was published by Rolling Stone, a journal that has not been cutting edge since the 1960s. It appears to be simply clueless. This rolling stone grew moss a long time ago.

The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. (33 1/3)

Average customer rating:

Surprisingly good; I only wish it were longer
A good read!
Stay away
Best book on Exile yet
Good Read

The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. (33 1/3)
Bill Janovitz
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 082641673X

Book Description

Tracing the creation of Exile on Main St. from the original songwriting done while touring America through the final editing in Los Angeles, Bill Janovitz explains how an album recorded by a British band in a villa on the French Riviera is pure American rock & roll. Looking at each song individually, Janovitz unveils the innovative recording techniques, personal struggles, and rock & roll mythmaking that culminated in this pivotal album.

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly good; I only wish it were longer.......2007-07-14

The problem with writing about "Exile" is that it's such a rich and storied period in the Stones' career that writers often down know where to start, or what tone to take once they get going.

There's more than enough music to focus on, but there's also a boatload of drug-related illicitness that could be dealt with.

Janovitz (who plays in the band Buffalo Tom and writes extensively for AMG) covers the music with a musician's expertise without getting boring, and he brings to the table the genuine enthusiasm of a Stones fan.

He writes about what the album meant to him -- and, if you're a huge fan of the record, you'll probably be able to relate to his brief tales of youth. But then he digs into the work with the enthusiasm of a musician who's breaking down songs he loves: Did Keith play electric piano on that song? Or is it Nicky Hopkins? How has the group's approach to gospel evolved in relation to earlier attempts? Who are the background vocalists on a particular song? Discuss the unusual mixing and the circumstances under which the recording was made.

Another reviewer said there's too much Janovitz here, which I don't really understand because while he has asides and a distinct, conversational voice to his writing, I think it makes this book go down a lot easier than, say, Robert Greenfield's recent hipper-than-thou present-tense misfire, "A Season in Hell with the Rolling Stones."

Plus, it's cheaper and cool and hip-pocket sized without being too small. Although I do think it may be too short.

A good read!.......2007-03-23

I enjoy the CD even more after reading this book. The only better read you could get is from someone who was actually there during the making of the album.

Stay away.......2007-03-14

There are better books on the Exile on Main Street sessions.
This book is mostly about the writer himself.

Best book on Exile yet.......2007-01-20

Just finished Janovitz's Exile book and I was really impressed with his style. He provides a detailed account of the characters, setting and circumstances surrounding the recording of "Exile on Main Street". I collect books on the Stones and this easily goes into my top three due to the details of why Exile was such a breakthrough for the Stones as artists. I loved the fact that Janovitz breaks down the tracking on Exile song by song. He provides a lot of insight of the sounds and meanings behind every song. I know this record by heart but he knocked it out of the park pointing out things I hadn't considered before such as the importance of Jimmy Miller's percussion influence or Nicky Hopkin's contribution vs. Ian Stewart's on Exile.

I LOVED it. I give it 5 stars!

Good Read.......2005-11-19

Very detailed and well-written account of the greatest rock and roll album ever made. To be honest, I would've preferred a few hundred more pages about Exile, but Janovitz crams a lot into this little book. Worth multiple readings if you're a big fan of the album.

Refining Your Style: Learning from Respected Communicators

Average customer rating:

Buy it-Read it!
A must read for preachers
AN OASIS FOR PREACHERS & ALL PUBLIC SPEAKERS!

Refining Your Style: Learning from Respected Communicators
Dave Stone
Manufacturer: Group Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0764426826

Customer Reviews:

Buy it-Read it!.......2005-06-15

This book is not a preaching manual or a homiletics textbook. Get "Christ-Centered Preaching" by Brian Chappell if that is what you are looking for. Instead, it is a reminder that God uses a variety of people and a variety of styles to advance His Kingdom. When I first started out preaching ten years ago, I spent a lot of time trying to sound like other preachers. This book shows us that it is pointless to do so and ultimately unnecessary. God can use the communication style He created in us to begin with.

These communicators have just a few things in common: they love God and work diligently to make Him known. Their styles, however, couldn't be more different and that is ultimately very encouraging. Drop the cash on this one. It's a winner.

A must read for preachers.......2004-12-30

What an excellent book! Dave doesn't come over as "preachy" and doesn't force a certain style upon you. When reading about my preaching style, I could only shake my head and say, "Wow! This is me. He is describing me." The interviews, tips and cautions are helpful. His book wil add zest to my preaching now that I am aware of the few tiny changes I need to make in my style of preaching, and he has challenged me to experiment more with other styles that I would feel comfortable with.

AN OASIS FOR PREACHERS & ALL PUBLIC SPEAKERS!.......2004-10-02

As a minister, without a normal preaching background, this book really is a Godsend. While reinforcing your personal style, with gems from some of the greatest communicators alive today, it also gives a glimpse into other styles that can be unbelievable tools in ministry. Chapters are well constructed to get more out of them. I especially liked the points of caution at the end of the chapters for each style. The CD is also a wonderful resource. A great and useful read for anyone who will ever speak in public!

Average customer rating:

Peter Stone's book that goes with Sherman Edward's songs
1776 -- One of the Best Plays of All Time
Patriotic Excellence
Engrossing and Very Historically Accurate

1776: A Musical Play (Penguin Plays)
Sherman Edwards , and Peter Stone
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140481397

Customer Reviews:

Peter Stone's book that goes with Sherman Edward's songs.......2004-11-07

Every 4th of July I watch the restored laser disc edition of "1776," the musical that has our Founding Fathers singing and dancing their way to Independency, and every time John and Abigail Adams sing goodbye to each other ("Till Then" and "Yours, Yours, Yours"), I get absolutely choked up (to be fair, I get absolutely choked up when I listen to either the original Broadway cast with William Daniels as John Adams or the revival cast with Brent Spiner in the role). But as much as I enjoy the songs, from "Sit Down, John" to "Is Anybody There?", what I admire is the way Peter Stone's book tells the story of what happened in foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy Philadelphia.

Granted this is drama and not history. A historian would point to a big error in that John Dickinson did not show up the day of the crucial vote so that Pennsylvania would not kill independence. But Stone lays out the positions of those who oppose independence, not only Dickinson but Edmund Rutledge of South Carolina, who wants independence but sees it as independence for South Carolina. Consequently, even though we know that these men are going to sign their John Hancocks to the Declaration we still wonder how it will happen given the obstacles. The biggest one is slavery, and while the song "Molasses To Rum" captures the Triangle Trade, it is the debate between Rutledge on the one side and Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin on the other that is even more memorable as the Founding Fathers discuss the difference between "property" and "people being treated like property."

One of the most unusual things about "1776" as a musical is that the vast majority of songs are in Act I, because once the declaration committe's draft is read to the congress ("The Egg"), the debate becomes too important for anything but the most somber of songs. The genius here is the ability to mix low comedy, as in "The Lees of Old Virginia," with the historical drama, best represented by the moment when Franklin justifies the need for independency to Dickinson. Stone takes Franklin's old words, "We are a new nationality. We require a new nation," and amplifies them into a moment of ideological clarity. It is the gravity of that moment which allows the songs by Sherman Edwards to go off in fanciful directions, along with Franklin's pointed reminder at the crucial moment that the Founding Fathers were not demi-gods.

I maintain there is a wonderful educational opportunity with "1776." Obviously it is not what "really" happened, but it is based on such things, from the words of the Declaration of Indpendence to the letters exchanged between John and Abigail always addressed to "My dearest friend." Granted, not all students will be interested in exploring the reality behind the drama, but for those willing to make the connection, it is a worthwhile step in the development of their critical faculties.

1776 -- One of the Best Plays of All Time.......2001-04-06

Peter Stone's play "1776", is not only a wonderfully entertaining piece of musical theatre, containing great songs and dialogue (often with a healthy amount of wit), it is also historically accurate. The story centers around the Second Continental Congress in Philidelphia (most notably John Adams), in the months immediately prior to the signing of The Declaration of Independence. One of the things that impressed me most about this play was that when writing dialogue between Congress members, letters from Gen. Washington, and conversations between Adams and his wife, Stone reviewed historical documents. Thus, many exchanges you hear/read throughout the play were actual conversations or letters written by those people. Therefore, the play is not only entertaining, it's educational. This play allows you to better understand the people who fought so hard to secure American independence. So often we revere our forefathers with such a sense of awe that we forget their basic humanity. Stone does a wonderful job of reminding us all that these were simple men and women, with everyday hopes and dreams, who were also willing to risk their lives for the freedom that they sought. I think that this play ought to be performed for every school in America -- it teaches while it entertains!

Patriotic Excellence.......2000-12-12

1776 is a very special play. It portrays true historical magic. I especially liked the play because of the character development. I liked how Peter Stone, the author, developed John Adams character. Stone portrayed Adams as an egotistical jerk who would not take no for an answer. The ironic thing was that his unwillingness to quit was the key to winning our independence.

I am especially involved in the study of history. The play was actually quite accurate except for all the singing and dancing which was added for theatrical purposes. The play had great lyrics and music. Not only was the book version well done the movie was also excellent. The movie stayed word for word with the book.

This play attracted my attention to a specific theme. When John Adams was desperate and discouraged he did not give up. He kept on pushing and pushing untill he had the outcome he wanted. A major theme of this novel would have to be to not give up when faced with tremendous odds. If John Adams had given up then we would most likely still be under British rule.

This play should definitly be read by all u.s. history classes. It inspires patriotism just at the mention of the title. This play is a great source and accurate account of exactly how this great nation became so great. A truly outstanding book.

Engrossing and Very Historically Accurate.......1999-10-22

This musical play really inspires patriotic feelings for any American that reads it. A sense of the magnanimity of such an occasion can be felt by its readers. From John Adams's beligerant character to Ben Franklin's sensibility, the reader will feel like he has known these great men and women forever.

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