No cobbled-together overview, this is an impressive, meaty book of great integrity. Care has obviously been taken to do the research & get the facts straight. "Heavy hitters" like John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, the Butterfield Band & the Yardbirds are covered admirably in a way that is both comprehensive & concise. Lesser known artists also appear, & when reading the book one constantly encounter players who would turn up in other places, at other times. The reader feels himself in good, knowledgeable hands from the get-go. (Martin Celmin's introductory essay is worth the price of the book in & of itself.)
It's that rarest of things, a book that is both entertaining & a solid reference work as well. The A-Z approach also makes it, as my friend Chris Darrow calls it, a great "toilet book." Meaning, I hasten to clarify, a book one can dip into whenever or wherever.
It's the first in a series, & I look forward to the future volumes.

This book is fantastic! The only thing that would make it better yet, would be the addition of a few more blues artists that seem to have been left out. (The Animals, Eric Burdon, Spencer Davis,...and WHERE is Led Zeppelin!!!...the greatest Blues rock band ever??) It is still well worth owning, if you can still get one...lots of information, and things even an avid Blues Rock fan probably didn't know. The "Introduction" is one of the best parts, giving you virtually a complete history of how this great music evolved. Gives Blues Music the attention it has deserved for so long, and never got.

The "Blues-Rock Explosion" falls into the "must have" category for all serious music fans and collectors. The book features a great mix of well known and obscure bands and artists and is full of facts and details that even the most ardent fan will not be aware of.

Having been a British Blues fan/collector/writer for 30+ years it's great having detailed information on all of my favorites(Savoy Brown,Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation,etc.)in one place. Great articles,discographies, and photos highlight a book that is hard to put down.

So grab a stack of cds,the "Blues-Rock Explosion" sit back and enjoy!

I have to admit that this book came along at the right time for me--in the middle of a bad run of rejection slips and self-esteem to match. With this book Taylor managed to get me jacked up to send out stuff again with chapters like "How to Make Editors Beg For It"--the first time I had read about what really goes on in editorial offices where we freelancers send out stuff. I feel like Taylor's insider stuff gives me an edge I didn't have before.

The chapter on queries and titles taught me how I have to pay more attention to actually selling my writing with right-between-the-eyes headlines. Taylor talks a lot about getting inside the editor's head and discovering the "reader benefits" that editor is trying to deliver. As he says, freelancers have to play that radio station: WRIT-FM or "What's Really In It-For Me," because without good reader benefits the piece is dead before it ever hits the editor's desk.

I guess all in all, reading books like this is necessary to learn new tips and keep motivated and fresh. This book did all that and more so that's why I rated it high.

This is a great book to read even if you are NOT a writer trying to sell articles. There is plenty of good advice for college students trying to get through their core English courses as well as for students of technical writing. Every college library should have a copy. Ms. Smith, the mean English teacher, gives this book five stars.

I've been out of the writing scene for too long now, and after some soul searching and internet searching I found the book to lead me back to a life of writing.
The first chapter deals with the "writing itch" and what to do about it. So many times I have tried to get back into writing but without proper discipline and resources I ran out of motivation. This book explains how to organize and approach this whole thing realistically and professionally.
And that's just the beginning. I see myself returning to the book again and again like a dictionary. Let's face it. The writing game is multi-faceted and David Taylor's book delves deep into the business and creative realm of writing.
I've read a lot of books on writing. What's different about this book is David Taylor clearly explains how to go from just a glimmer of desire to a paycheck. I encourage anyone with a passion for writing to grab a copy of "The Freelance Success Book." Not only will it be your personal writing coach, the book will inspire you.

The first volume of the Green Lantern Archives is delightful stuff. Great sci-fi adventures, with terrific art by the late Gil Kane. I wasn't a Hal Jordon fan before I read this, but now I'm rethinking my position.

My only real grumble is that, aside from Hector Hammond, the really good GL villains aren't on display. But you have to start somewhere. If you've never really dug on GL before, give this a shot. It's worth it.

Green Lantern Archives Volume 1 reprints the early stories of the second Green Lantern of Earth, Hal Jordan, from the Silver Age of comics. Reprinting Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern (second series) #1-5, we see the early days of Hal Jordan becoming a superhero as well as his supporting cast of characters. True classics. A must read for any fan of Green Lantern Hal Jordan!

Green Lantern - arguably as powerful as Superman but back in the 1960s perhaps one of the more unsung super-heroes - returns in his earliest Silver Age adventures! Nobody did it better than John Broome and Gil Kane - the heroes, allies and villians are - out of this world!

This is one of only a handful of Silver Age archives in print right now - many of the others, especially those for Superman and Batman, showcase Golden Age stories. While these are classics, it is the Silver Age where comics really blossomed, and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) is a prime example.

The Green Lantern archives published to date (#1-3) contain hard-to-find (and expensive!) issues of Hal Jordan's earliest exploits, including origins and battles with his yellow power-ringed arch enemy Sinestro, Hector Hammond and others, plus his classic, colorful and extraordinary team-ups with The Fastest Man Alive - Flash (Barry Allen).

This is a must-buy, must-own and must-read series for any serious fan of the Silver Age - or comics in general. Good reading for those darkest days and blackest nights!

It's severly dated by today's standards, but what an excellent read, all the same. I look at it as the music industry version of Julia Phillips "You'll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again". Biting with sardonic wit, lots of muck-raking (most of it spot-on), and just a wee bit 'o' honesty.

How much of it is true, we'll never know. But the essential bits (the inception of the Boomtown Rats, their immersion into the music scene, other bands, Live Aid, etc.) are required reading for anybody who gives a damn about the music industry. There's loads of comedy as well as pathos, as well as some of the greatest quotes I've ever read in an autobiography.

If you can still find a copy, it's well worth owning.

Bob Geldof's book is a stunning odyssey into the mind of a rock star. he also happens to be a philanthropist who can teach a thing or two to the best of them. the man behind `live aid' not only collected hundreds of millions out of a telethon for africa's famine victims, but made sure they reached the right hands. his forthright language and no-holds-barred style are refreshing. if you must read an autobiography of a rock star, read this one.

This book is one of those books that will renew your faith in the ability of normal people to change the world for the better. It is also hilarious and a great read!

I cannot speak highly enough of this publication. A lavishly produced, superbly presented and packaged 335 page book, divided into 23 chapters each of which features a different photographer's work. The pictures themselves, both colour and black/white, are of a consistenty high quality. Covering the entire span of the band's existence, the rare and often-candid images effectively capture the group on and off stage. In particular, several detailed shots of Zeppelin in front of massive stadium audiences are simply stunning - a true reflection of their immense popularity. Thank you Ross Halfin, and good luck to anyone else lucky enough to obtain a copy!

Just found this book in Argentina record store"Musimundo"... Worth everycentavo. The pic's from behind the various concert stages looking out into audience brings chills to my spine! A must have for every Zoso fan!

Hi! I won a copy of the Photographer's Led Zeppelin- I entered the contest originally, because I'm a fan of Ross Halfin. I was pleased to win it, because coming from Ireland, I can't get any of his books. It was the best representation of Zeppelin I've ever seen! Thanks to Ross Halfin, I've discovered photographers I never knew existed! The photos displayed have been an inspiration to my own work-I'm working in music- and it looks good. Thanks, Kerrang! for giving me this book!

A lot of work went into creating this encyclopedia and it shows. But in all fairness to the many skiers, there is more to skiing than downhill.

Bob has written an Encyclopedia that is not only encompassing, but actually fun to read! He has a natural knack for cleanly and clearly explaining complex technical items. Any serious recreational skier will find this a useful book, and its a must for a professional skiers shelf!

OK, you've been skiing for 4 or 5 seasons now you want to know about the why have I's and when will I.This book covers ALL of the vocabulary that has to do with skiing. this is a keeper book. so from the day you finish reading it,to the next time you need a reference. this is the one.

The second book by the author I have read... sheds new light on Hogan and the game of Golf that we love... can hardly wait for his next book on Bobby Jones

Not understanding very much about golf I enjoyed the humane side
of "Golf Gave Me Something To Love".
It was interesting to read about how the experiences as caddies
when children shaped their futures and ideas as adults.
I also enjoyed the mischief they got into as children.

The story is a travel through life of a young boy trying to find himself. Love was not forthcoming in his family environment, but he found direction in the people he became associated with while learning the game . . . life and golf. If it wasn't for dinner, I would have read it cover to cover without stopping. Buy this book, read it, and pass it on to someone you know who will benefit by it. I did, and have heard nothing but good things from the people down my list that have read it.
I became interested in this book after reading "Ben Hogan's Secret", also written by Mr Thomas. This is another must read.

Mr. McGuire does it again, The Line is an excellent, fast-paced story filled with intrigue, deception, murder, military history, Special Forces, renegade generals, snappy dialog and a good story. The Line should be filmed just as the book is written. Great characters, villains abound, heroics that are believable and enough gunfire to satisfy and plenty of plot twists. McGuire has a knack for blending in landmarks, terrain, character, dialog and story pacing. I recommend this novel and The Gate, both are excellent reading for the thriller genre.

This is one of the best thrillers I've read-- I especially like the historical aspect of the story. I also recommend that if you like this book, get this author's books under his own name: Bob Mayer. His special forces series is very good, especially CUT OUT and DRAGON SIM-13

This book presents an alternate view of almost the entire past century with many of the events influence by a cabal of West Pointers bent on their own agenda. It wasn't that black or white though because both sides had what appeared to be noble goals. Lots of stuff happening while the history is played out. Was Patton really killed? Lots more questions covered.

I happen to be a good friend of one of the three authors but had never known anything about his Vietnam experience. After reading these stories, it is easier to understand why, 30 years later, it might not be something a former U.S. Army Ranger would want to talk about, even with his friends -- or maybe especially with his friends.

Three men, obviously each quite different, recount recollections of their experiences. If all one knows about war -- the vast majority of us who have never seen combat -- that it is Hell, then these stories give us all we need to know about why this is really so.

The authors pull no punches, make no excuses for the surprising level of brutality. Their texts, surprisingly well-written, take us along on their hunter-killer missions, carefully planned lethal traps, sprung on the Mekong Delta's Viet Cong fighters. They are very close to each other, each life depends on the guy next in the six-man column. Some of them don't come back and we wonder now was it worth it?

But it's not all blood-and-guts fighting. (A vivid description of a beheading left me more than light-headed.) We see some very introspective reflections during the quiet moments, an occasional R&R, the usual intra-squad bitching and brawling.

Little wonder that only 365 days in a high-risk combat unit could have such a lasting effect on the participants.

History is still judging if was worth it. This modest but important addition to that assessment makes its own understated but powerful contribution. Definitely worth the price, and then some.

Most everyone has an impression about the Vietnam War, regardless of how little they really know about it. Unfortunately, the movies by Oliver Stone (Born on the Fourth of July) and others provide the slanted "facts" and distorted perspective that too often define the war for the uninformed. To really understand the war you should first read accounts written by the actual participants and there is no better place to begin than the newly released memoir, NINE FROM THE NINTH.

NINE FROM THE NINTH is not a global perspective of the conflict, but it never pretends that it is. Rather, it is a collection of nine stories taken from the personal remembrances of two former US Army Rangers who served with Company E. of the 75th Infantry Rangers, and a third author, Jack Bick, who volunteered and went on combat operations with Company E as a photographer and writer. For them, combat didn't include the nightly comfort of an air conditioned Officer's Club in Saigon or the relatively safe vantage point of an aircraft 10,000 feet above the jungle. Instead the stories present the personal, close-up views of combat that can only be told by those who have "been and done", and survived.

Jack Bick, accurately observes in "Smart Charlie" that the Vietnam conflict was unique; as opposed to WWII, US leadership wasn't fighting to win, so soldiers generally, including even the elite Ranger's, lacked an overall sense of purpose....their strategic goal became to survive for 365 days, and go home! Along the way, the three authors, Jack Bick, Paul Newman, and Bob Wallace, formed bonds of friendship that outlasted the terror, anger, and hate of combat and survive thirty years later.

Bob Wallace's story of "Staff Sergeant Frost" is a revealing look inside one of the war's most legendary fighting groups, the LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols). These six-men, self-contained, voluntary units would deploy for days at a time inside enemy controlled territory to "observe and report". Regardless if an officer was with the LRRPs, it was the senior sergeants like Frost (E-5s and E-6s) that ran the teams. Their reputations were for eating snakes and ravaging the countryside, but the profane and gritty senior noncoms made the teams work, fight, and ultimately survive. As very young soldiers they were called upon to undertake harrowing tasks that brought about sudden maturity. So brutal was the LRRP experience that lasting for three weeks on a team converted a "cherry" into a veteran!

Paul Newman's account of the "Bo Bo Canal" is a gutsy story of the fighting along "a mosquito ridden canal" that ran for 20 miles, and became a "water road" for the VC. Carrying more than 8o pounds of combat equipment the team members would sink so deeply into the mud that walking was often difficult. This uncensored tale isn't for the squeamish but accurately conveys the unavoidable brutality of warfare and how it changed the outlook of the men who survived it.

After Vietnam the three authors left military service and took with them the best and worst of their experiences in Vietnam. The same training and personal skills that helped them survive in combat ultimately helped them succeed in their later careers. Initiative, risk taking, determined individualism and community involvement were common hallmarks as each man became successful in a variety of endeavors.

This is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in real stories of the Vietnam War, and the memoirs of three men who served their country honorably, proudly and well.

The real Viet Nam. The people, the land, and the Americans who came from all over the U.S. for reasons even they didn't know. The authors make the war real through their own memories--three American Rangers who spend their days on Long Range Recon Patrols--dumped into Viet Cong territory to bate the enemy. The reader is right there with them, experiencing their fears, their doubts, the complexity of an uncertain war, and the simplicity of young men thrown into chaos. This book has an uncanny way of mixing the routine thoughts and actions of American boys with the terrible brutality of killing--often never knowing if the victems were really the enemy. The authors are men who went off to serve their nation in a killing field of great peril. And returned to three decades of silence before telling their stories. The best book I've read on the American soldier in Viet Nam. This is not gussied-up chest thumping--this is the story of three ordinary men forced to become warriors. You're right there with them on each page.

A must read book for all electronics/computer technology professionals/hobbist. Bob's comprehensive research and writing style made it easy to read and informative.
The book gives you retrospect on what had happened and how it happened. Although they were history but it gave us lesson on the past and we can plan or predict the future. It also gives a lot of insight on technology management. What made things happened and what screwed things up. In another prospective, as a technology worker, it also taught us not to give up easily.
Highly recommended.

Bookstores in the US are buldging with entertaining and informative "insider" books on Apple Computer, Microsoft, IBM, Xerox PARC etc. and a similar English-language writeup on Japanese companies such as Sharp, Sony, and Seiko is long overdue. Fortunately the Japanese stories and characters are every bit as entertaining and there are the bureaucratic villains as well. As a bonus, nice background information on the growth of the worldwide semiconductor industry is weaved into the narration. "Japan INC" seems a lot less monolithic after reading this book.

The author is married to a Japanese national and apparently devoted much of his adult life to researching this story.

"We Were Burning" is an amazing book for those interested in the history behind today's technology. It is extremely well researched with many details previously unknown (or only hinted about) until now. Johnstone weaves this information into a well-written format that reminds one of a good novel. Also, the book is divided into logical chapters which allows those of us with particular technology interests to focus on the sections of most importance. (I have re-read "Doctor Rocket Goes to Disneyland" at least three times by itself.)

Also, the extreme importance of this book is that it offers a comprehensive history of Japanese electronic developments for the English-language speaker. Too often we hear the of the successes of the North American and European industries, but the important Japanese contributions and accomplishments are rarely detailed. Well, no more!

Buy this book! You will be glad you did!