This is an excellent first hand account of the original discovery of what was to be the Oregon Trail (in reverse). Robert Stuart originally left New York on the ship the Tonquin, funded by John Jacob Astor, and sailed around the tip of South America and then eventually up to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon to establish a trading post. Stuart then proceeded to head back east to report to Astor about the state of affairs of the trading fort. With only a handful of men, they went by canoe, horseback and mostly by foot, from the mouth of the Columbia to St. Louis, then eventually to New York. This historical narrative is beyond words. They faced the hardships of hunger, fatigue, Indians, weather, and about everything else one can think of. It is truly a fascinating portrayal of day to day survival in the 1812 wilderness written from the hand of the man who was there. What I also enjoyed about the book was the Appendix on Wilson Price Hunt who, also working for Astor, took an expedition by land from St. Louis to Oregon at about the same time. His written account is also mind-blowing and puts the whole book into perspective. There is also an excellent forward by Rollins which gives you a background on what you are about to read.

Robert Stuart, a partner of John Jacob Astor, was sent by ship to Oregon on company business, and returned cross country by horseback, canoe and foot. Along the way he kept a journal, written in berry juice, which is reprinted here. Washington Irving also wrote "Astoria" based on this journal.

Our whole country should be grateful to Robert Stuart for his discovery of the Oregon Trail and his courage against unbelievable odds in making such a tortuous journey. This book was first printed in 1935 and the original copies are scarce and valuable. So I was thrilled to discover that Amazon not only sold it but that it was now in paperback! When the word gets around to the rest of his descendants, we will have this book on the best seller list, where it belongs. So take that, Lewis & Clark!

This is one of the best drug books I've read. Loads of informed stuff about H - all of it true. And I should know. Facts and figures, but also a lot of stories too.

If you want to know about Horse then this book tells it all. Great stuff on the culture of candy, the celebs who use it, the dealers who sell it and the users who abuse it. Everything you ever wanted to know about H and more.

Alf claims to be the first rock n' roll bodyguard and it's interesting to read how he fell into the job. A nice guy and a nice read but if you are buying this to read controversial info on celebrities, you will disappointed.

Alf describes his early life, history in the service and boxing followed by his foray into the life of a bodyguard. Alf has great history with the Beatles particularly, but also the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cher and Frank Sinatra as well as many others. While he talks about the good traits, there is no dirt or secrets about these people.

Probably the most interesting relationship he has is with Mike Nesmith of the Monkees. Mike comes across as an interesting guy stuck in a bubble gum band that wants to evolve on a higher level musically.

While this is an enjoyable read, there is no real meat to the book that would need to be there to sell in large numbers.

Alf Weaver tells it like it is. No bull****, no boring stories, but ballsy writing and a whole bunch of stuff about all your favourite rock 'n' roll stars.

Lots of former friends of the stars write kiss and tells, but forget about the kissing and the telling. Weaver ain't one of them. He's got the juice on everyone from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles and also a lot of interesting stuff about The Monkees, Led Zeppelin and all the great bands from the 60s and 70s.