This book is great in three ways: First, the music itself is first rate. The arrangements in the book are the real thing and are quite a bit more difficult than the "easy" piano versions. Second, there are great-looking comics on most every page, which makes it a joy just to look at. Lastly, there is a lengthy history of Peanuts and how Vince became involved with it.
The only aspect keeping this book from a 5 rating is the binding. The book wouldn't lay flat on the piano, which made it practically impossible to play. I brought it to Kinko's and got it spiral bound for about $4, and now it works great. Poor thinking on the publisher's part, though.

This piano, vocal, guitar sheet music book is "THE PEANUTS® ILLUSTRATED SONGBOOK". This coffee-table quality songbook is a celebration of the art of Charles Schulz and the music of Vince Guaraldi. Within its stunning full-color, high-gloss pages are: an introduction by veteran music journalist Hank Bordowitz, which provides background on how the Schulz/Mendelson/Guaraldi collaboration came to be, and reflections from fellow musicians influenced by Guaraldi's music; and piano solo arrangements of 30 terrific tunes, each featuring a Peanuts illustration by Schulz. The songs include: Baseball Theme · Blue Charlie Brown · The Christmas Song · Christmas Time Is Here · Freda (With the Naturally Curly Hair) · Happiness Theme · He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown · Linus and Lucy · Oh, Good Grief · The Pebble Beach Theme · Peppermint Patty · Red Baron · Schroeder · Skating · You're in Love, Charlie Brown · and more. This book will be an absolute treasure for any Peanuts or jazz fan!!

Although I have been interested in CCR for many years, and owned many of their tapes, I had not know what was involved in their breakup and had heard all sorts of rumors.

This is why I bought this book. Unfortunately, while well written and extremely informative, this book gives only a one-sided view of what went on with CCR.

Written with help from most of the band members, this book delves into what really happened, according to them. And, according to the band members involved, what REALLY happened is John Fogerty killed the band.

This book makes no apologies as it bashes John Fogerty and his decisions about the band, with obvious discrepencies. Things like: The band members complain that John does not let them have any control. Then, when he tells them the next album is theirs, the complain because now they have to do something.

All in all, although this book was well written and had some interesting stories, I would recommend getting a book that is less biased and more neutral if you're looking for the truth.

A band that generated almost as many lawsuits as hit singles, Creendece Clearwater Revival became a mainstain of both FM and AM radio during the 60's and 70's. John Fogerty's solo career has continued successfully and the remaining band members (John's older brother Tom died in 1990) have resumed touring as CCR Revisited. While they've managed to put some of the past difficulties with their old label behind them (via the lawsuits), Stu Cook, Doug Clifford and John Fogerty have never been able to settle the issues that tore this seminal rock band apart.

Bordowitz does a fine job of detailing the conflicts and legal tensions that caused the band to implode. Although they all contributed to the sound of the band (and the break up), Fogerty (naturally) got the lion's share of praise because he wrote, sang and produced the songs for the band. A musical polymath, Fogerty has never been able to distance himself from the emotional turmoil that their success generated.

The trouble with any nonfiction book about a band is that it's always going to be second hand information and interpretation despite the wealth of interviews included here. It's clear that whatever happend between the members was due to very complex dynamics. The author does a very good job of distilling the essence of the conflict between the four members. None of the band members are portrayed as saints and John Fogerty comes off as enormously talented but every bit the control freak.

We'll never really know what went on within CCR except that it's clear that the very thing that drove them also tore them apart. The author manages to convey the conflicts through older and recent interviews with the participants. Sadly, Tom Fogerty isn't around any longer to shed any additional insight into what occurred.

The most heartbreaking and powerful chapter details the band's induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. John Fogerty made it very clear to musical director Robbie Robertson he wasn't going to perform CCR tunes with his old bandmates. It's sad because it was a shared moment of glory when Fogerty, Cook & Clifford could have put their difficulties behind them. Fogerty performed with the house band after Bruce Springsteen inducted them into the hall of fame.

The book is very fair balanced and the many rare photos (of the band at Tom Fogerty's wedding and performing at their high school reunion) add a nice perspective to the band's story. John's views are expressed via independently published interviews. Still, considering the "myth" that has grown up around the band, it is refreshing to hear both Cook and Clifford's point of view in addition to the three Fogerty brothers (non performer Bob is quoted as well).

It's a perfect companion to Craig Werner's CCR: An Oral History. Taken together, these two books convey the importance of CCR to music and also the difficulties that guarenteed they wouldn't remain together more longer.

This is a thorough, outstanding work of investigation. It unfolds a story that's bound to surprise and astonish all serious Creedence fans no matter how well informed they may think they are. CCR is the only major Rock 'n Roll act that all but vanished withouth a single explanation after just three years of hits in a row. Its leader John Fogerty spent the most part of the next 20 years in seclusion marred by litigation. In spite of all that, Creedence music has reached mythic proportions. This book says why. After finishing it, you'll never listen to CCR in the same way anymore. Be prepared!