This book documents the acquisiton and the slow decline of a human being to the vicious AIDS disease. It not only gives an insight to the terrible disease but it also shows how the brave patient slowly succumbs with love and care. It is an excellent first study of HIV

When I learned of this dramatic account of the recent expeditions to track the planet's northernmost point of land, I knew that it was a must-read. Not only is it an exciting story about adventurers who succeeded in their goal, it brings a fitting tribute to John Denver to the outdoor community. John Jancik, Javana Richardson and Steve Gardiner have offered a book here that parallels Jon Krakauer's bestselling "Into Thin Air."

UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN will hold you from page one and as it tells of the ascent of John Denver Peak, it also will teach you about the extreme challenges of high altitude mountaineering and the interactive human factors of survival. A bonus is the inclusion of the fine photography by the late Galen Rowell, who joined the expedition.

Most of us know John Denver through his music, his environmental legacy and his humanitarian work. UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN fills in many gaps left by Denver's death in that it explains the beauty and the gift of nature itself in an isolated land free of the commercial drama found on Everest. This is not a trinket named for John Denver, it is the story of men and women who wanted Mr. Denver's legacy to live forever.

You will turn the pages of UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN again and again and hold on every word. I am pleased to recommend this book to everyone.

Dreux DeMack
Secretary, Windstar Colorado Connection

I just started playing the guitar a few months ago, and thought 'if I could just learn a few John Denver songs I would be successful.' I got this book and now, in just a few weeks, I know even more then a few. I do wish the book would lay flat, or that the songs that had three pages would fold out, it's hard to flip pages in the middle of songs, but that's the way it goes.

This book has been so much fun. I am a huge John Denver fan, and just learning how to play the guitar. The problem with this book is that it didnt have a spiral binding. Thankfully I have a thoughtful husband who took it to Kinkos to have a spiral binding put in it before giving it to me for Christmas! It should be able to lay flat so you can read it and play the guitar at the same time.

So many of his songs, arranged perfectly for new guitarists or seasoned players...beautifully done. I highly recommend this anthology!

I love the lyrics of John Denver. I always have. And to find them all in one neat little volume is great. The commentary that is provided on certain songs was written by John for his anthology songbooks. I recogonize every one of them. And I like that even the lesser (and downright UN-known) songs are included.

The little blurb by Tom Paxton is touching and to the point and was a treat to read.

However, Mr. Okun, if you're reading this, PLEASE, OH, PLEASE, do NOT perpetuate the "John Denver Never Wrote a Song In A Minor Key" myth! I can think off hand of at least two songs without blinking: "Wooden Indian" From "Poems Prayers and Promises" is written in E Minor. In fact that is the only chord in the entire song. (A very powerful song, at that). And "Aspenglow", best known from "Rocky Mountain Christmas" is in A minor. There are a few others as well. (That I'm sure John would have known about).

The inclusion of the myth is the only reason that I've given this 4 stars and not 5. I'm a stickler for accuracy.

I find this collection of John's lyrics beautiful to read...for John's unqiue ability to communicate was expressed not only in his voice and the music he wrote--but the lyrics themselves read as a good book of poetry. In fact, there is an interesting ability to deeply understand and ponder the meanings when you read the lyrics alone.

I am very glad Milt Okun put this book together.

In addition to the lyrics themselves, Okun has also included the inspiration behind songs in John's own words for many of the songs.

I highly recommend this book!

Christine Smith

I opened the book expecting to learn more about the heroic qualities of a man who had given us songs about peace, searching for truth, loving the earth, and loving each other. Naively, I wanted to see John Denver as a hero; someone who had passionately searched for answers and found some of life's important truths. His music, especially during his heyday in the 70's, led me to that expectation. Instead, I closed the book feeling cheated; like his music didn't really tell the whole story. His image of a squeaky clean country boy who thought that his wife ("Annie's Song") and the majesty of nature ("Sonshine on my Shoulder", "Rocky Mountain High", etc.) were the most "far out" blessings in life was in conflict with the very confused, lost soul who failed in many of his relationships and never really found his balance. He wanted to make the world a better place for children, yet he failed to recognize that this starts at home. By his own admission, he was hardly a model father and played a very small part in his own children's lives. His songs made us feel that love was the most important thing of all, yet he didn't really know how to love, constantly cheating on his wife and failing in two marriages and many other business and personal relationships. John Denver created beautiful, inspiring music. And he poured much of himself into causes like the environment which he felt were important. That is noble. But after reading the book, I was left with a greater sense of the tragedy of his life than of its glories.

John really opens up here. For an entertainer to be as candid about himself as he is here...and there's a lot to be read between the lines as well...is very unusual. The reader gets a glimpse of the "back stage" John Denver. For all his laid-backness, he was extremely tough on himself, his own worst enemy, forever with a monkey on his back that demanded success and respect despite the lack of support he got from those who were most important to him. Self critical yet so caring, indeed his life was structured around the pursuit of approval. He bares his soul, admits to personal inadequacies, showing the reader that besides being the voice for all of nature, he was just a human being as well...a person who stumbles from time to time while attempting to do what he thought was best.

I listened to the audio book which is read by John while he sat on his deck at his home in Aspen. He prefaced his reading by warning the reader/listener that from time to time there might be the sound of a plane taking off from the nearby airport but that there would also be the sound of a stream and some windchimes hanging nearby. Indeed there are those sounds in the background. Together, with his voice it makes for a very intimate setting... just you and John, sitting on his deck, enjoying his story telling one more time in what probably was one of his favorite spots. A very nice feeling to be with John again.

As a child of the 70's I waswith him from the start and Ican't believe people think hewas a GOD . I loved him as mychildren do now. He was a well known person who had a special gift of music and compassion for all. But he was human and his life ws not always his to do with as he wanted, he belonged to the world, and the world made a lot of demands of him. He gave all and we always wanted more. I cherish him and his music, I listen to it frequently I never tire of the upbeat and even the sad songs.He represents to me a little of us all not just one man.s life, I too have made mistakesin judgements and I always refer to the Phrase "Judge notlest ye be judged". In my book on the last page I entered "John Denver flew home at 5:PM on Oct.12,1997 We willmiss him but his spirit is forever flying in the blue skies and our hearts.

Mr. Sizemore's concise treatment of Christian doctrine, throughout his first two books, is nicely complimented by this youth edition. Its presentation of some of the essential elements of the Gospel is on a level very easily understood by younger Christians. The book's lesson format with questions at the end of the chapters provide an excellent way to retain the information. An excellent adaptation of the original work.

If you already have his autiobiography (Take Me Home) and any other greatest hits songbook, save your money (although it does have one of my photos, uncredited, of course) :)

You'd have to be a pretty dedicated JD fan to like this book. It clearly has positive intent and there's no question the "Everyman" approach John Denver took to his own spirituality was appealing to a broad audience. This book just "misses" in so many ways that it's a difficult read.

Christine Smith's book "A Mountain in the Wind - An Exploration of the Spirituality of John Denver" is a sensitive, comprehensive, intuitive and inspiring book delving deep into John's soul and spirituality. Her extensive research and keen insight of John's relationship to the universe and his place in it, how he evolved as a spiritual being, who his mentors were, and how he learned his belief in miracles and of hope are all written with utmost affection and in pure honesty by the author.

Throughout the book, Christine often refers to lyrics in John's songs to further witness his spirituality and to provide more indepth analysis of his message. She has also included 8 pages of color photos of John and ends the book with a series of moving essays comprising a beautiful memorial to John by the author herself.

I truly believe you have to be a spiritual person to fully appreciate John Denver - his music, his message - the man himself. So kudos to Christine for enlightening us about the inner John plus also for portraying a powerful blueprint for us to transform our own lives through spiritual discovery and growth.

Since I do not want to give the whole book away, I'll simply say you have to read it! Thank you, Christine, for your time and effort in writing "A Mountain in the Wind"! I know it was a labor of love for you. And thank you, John, for being her inspiration for the book. It's a treasure! Peace. Carole

Who among us has not been touched in some way by the voice and words of at least one of John Denver's beautiful songs? John 's legacey to the world was his care and concern for the environment and the people who dwell here. His Rocky Mountain High's came from the heart and each recording he made was filled with love and passion for the universe that came from deep within his soul. Each time I hear his voice, I am reminded of his simple, easy-going manner as gentle as the wings of a butterfly, his incredible gift as an artist and his ability to evoke emotion in the listener.

"A Mountain in the Wind" is indeed how John lived his life and this wonderful book is filled with his love for humanity, his respect for nature, his own personal inner strength and his spiritual beliefs. His sudden, tragic death moved people around the world. Wherever John may be today, I hope he truly does have, "Sunshine on his Shoulder" and the peace and contentment he believed in. For fans of Denver, this is a five star book and highly recommended reading.

This was once THE John Denver songbook to have back in the day (1970s). It contains the following hits:

Follow Me
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Poems, Prayers and Promises
Rhymes And Reasons
Sunshine On My Shoulders
Take Me Home, Country Roads

...and 17 other (lesser-known) songs by Denver.

Obviously, later hits (e.g. Annie's Song; Calypso; Fly Away, For Baby (For Bobby); I'm Sorry; Looking for Space; Some Days Are Diamonds and Starwood In Aspen) are not included here.

This book is out-of-print. You may be able to find it used if you are only looking for one or two of Denver's songs, or if you are on a budget.

"John Denver Anthology" [ISBN 0895249111] is a more complete and up-to-date collection of John Denver's songs and Amazon offers it at a great price.

Don't go slumming in this woman's autobiography and her accidental encounter with John Denver and a one night stand. It certainly isn't a balanced perspective of anyone. All of us have challenges and if you are a fan of John Denver, you are aware of his. Out of respect for his family, his children and Annie, it's not necessary to give voice to every indiscretion. Rather, let's realize that none of us look well under a microscope and focus on the good his work is accomplishing and the joy and insight his music brought us all. "Take Me Home,"John's own autobiography, is a good place to start. If I could rate this woman's book any lower I would.

Jeannie St. Marie tells a very entertaining, poignant, and personal story -- her real life experiences with John Denver. A must read for anyone desiring an inside look at the mega-star's intimate side. Jeannie's conversational and down-to-earth writing style makes you feel as if she's right in your own living room. Through her eyes, I've come to a new level of appreciation for John's beautiful musical works and his passionate spiritual service to our world. Many John Denver facts and reference sources are also included.

"Jeannie St. Marie tells a very entertaining, poignant, and personal story - her real life experiences with John Denver. A must read for anyone desiring an inside look at the mega-star's intimate side. Jeannie's conversational and down-to-earth writing style makes you feel as if she's right in your own living room. Through her eyes, I've come to a new level of appreciation for John's beautiful musical works and his passionate spiritual service to our world. Many John Denver facts and reference sources are also included." - A Reviewer from Bomp.com - the Bomp Bookshelf - the most complete catalog of music books online, listing and reviewing every music book ever published.