This book can only be descibed as a real joy to any true Bee Gees fan. It is down to earth and very informative. It shows the brothers for what they are, just three ordinary guys, doing what they enjoy most, creating beautiful music and sharing their wonderful gift of song with the world. I have heard tell that another book is to be relaeased in the year 2000, I hope this is in fact so, as Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb deserve more recognition for all they have given to the world over the past 35 plus years. May they continue writing wonderful music for many years to come. If you haven't got this book already and you get the chance to purchase it, don't turn away as you will never know what you have missed.

Being a lifetime fan of the Brothers Gibb, known throughout the world as the Bee Gees --- Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb --- I have bought just about every biography written, both authorized or not, and have found David Leaf's book to be the very best. He seriously details the history of this fabulous group, from the time they were youngsters singing "Bye-bye Blackbird" and "Lollipop", their struggle to make it big in Australia, to their discovery by Robert Stigwood in 1967. This fine book shows that the Bee Gees are more than just a Disco group, but a genuine phenomenon that has thrived since the 60's.

This book also has hundreds of great photographs and a listing of all their recordings. Truly a well-written tome that rises above the mere popcorn candy bios with nothing but cheesy information. However, since this book was written in the late 70's, I can only hope that it will be updated someday, to include their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and their recent successes, like their international hit album, STILL WATERS. The Bee Gees continue to prove themselves a powerhouse around the globe, and not showing any signs of slowing down, at least not in this millenium!!

David Leaf's book is a treasure to own! And you don't even have to be a Bee Gees fan, but it does help!!! The story of the brothers Gibb Stayin' Alive with the Fever!!!!

Anyone who has ever lost a child and anyone who has ever loved one will find in the poems and short poetic essays in EACH LEAF a profound emotional and spiritual experience. Written in the years following the death of his eight-year-old daughter, Sarah, David Mook's collection is filled with lyrical expressions of grief and joyous memories of his daughter's life. Here, too, are Sarah's own poems. They reveal a carefree, surreal, and tender imagination. A special treat is David Mook's brief essay, "Fishing," a piece about a perfect afternoon on the river that is possessed by a strange and foreboding beauty. The girl who became her father's muse has truly led him through the dark door to other shining places. Book review by Lynn Levin, author of A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT PARADISE.

David Mook has written a book that, in the spirit of Romanticism, attempts to reconcile the contradictions of our human condition. How could such beauty have existed? How could it have been taken away? So the collection asks. Like Keats' "To Autumn," Mook's poetry about his daughter and her passing are celebratory, even at the last. Page by page, the author proceeds to trace back Sarah's life. The result is not only a triumph of human courage, but also a work of art. Their subject matter aside, each poem, Each Leaf,lyrical and crafted themselves, together overwhelm me with awe and resolution whenever I go back to them, which is often.

Arguably the best book on the Beach Boys ever written. I lucked into copies of both the 1978 and the updated 1985 editions at a lower price, and find them an invaluable, insightful, and empathetic look at "America's band."

David Leaf is a gifted and sensitive writer. If a used copy of his book is overly budget-busting, settle for "The Nearest Faraway Place," by the late great Timothy White. This book presents a fine overview of the migration to Southern California (including the Wilson brothers' grandparents), and how that generation's hopes and dreams helped mold their grandchildren's music.

That said, David Leaf's book is the real deal. Keep an eye out for it if you have any interest at all in the Beach Boys.

This series has been too overlooked. I just love these. This one is my favoite.One Saturday morning Dorothy waves her magic handkerchief and goes to Oz with Toto. She is reunited with the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Lion. Toto chases after a field mouse into a twisted corn field. He gets trapped in a golden summerhouse inhabited by a boy made of solid gold with a hard, cold heart. They learn from a caterpiller that the Golden Boy must wish on a seven leaf clover to be his real self again and set Toto free. The story has everything it needs to be perfect. Looking forward to reading books by the same author.

This mongraph is a well organized, well written book that explains the science behind a reasonable lifestyle change that may really improve your health. The suggestions are concrete and liveable. As a physician, this "diet" makes a lot more sense than some of the fad diets that are currently popular. This will be recommended reading for my patients.

...for the real facts. This book was one of the first Beach Boys bios to be published. Leaf is a fanatical Beach Boys expert, friend of the band to this day, and a frequent consultant on BB-related projects. His writing is not critical, but it is factual, and he tells the story well, illustrated with hundreds of vintage photos (reproduced from magazines, for the most part, so the quality is as dubious as the obscurity of the material is welcome). It is almost exclusively devoted to Brian. This is out of print, but due to be reprinted (hopefully in a radical update) soon.

Absolutely essential 4 Beach Boys & Brian Wilson fans, this is the 1st & best BB biography, full of great photos, terrific PET SOUNDS- & SMILE-era stories & background info, & Leaf doesn't short-change hard-core fans on the post-"Good Vibrations" era. Includes interviews with Brian's PET SOUNDS collaborator Tony Asher, Dennis Wilson on Charles Manson, Van Dyke Parks on his involvement with the band & Brian, & much more U can't find elsewhere. Full of great details, this was the 1st place where we got an up-close look at Brian & the Boys, & it remains the best look at this enduring American institution -- hey, they INVENTED California!

I was one of those fortunate people that purchased this book when it was in print. There are two editions, the original and an updated one. Get the updated one if you can find it. (there is not that much of a time frame between the two, but it is an important time in the history of America's Band). And no sorry I am NOT willing to part with my copy. David Leaf is today still close to Brian Wilson, I have seen him at many of Brians recent concerts I can only hope that a revised edition or a new book is on the offering. David also wrote most of the liners notes for recent Beach Boys re-issues from Capitol records with one huge exception, the Pet Sounds Box set. He did the original booklet notes but if you know the Beach Boys then you know who blocked it and demanded a re-write by someone else. Dont "screw" with the formula indeed.

Canada's contribution to the Allied war effort in WWII is often overlooked, especially when considering army and air campaigns. Indeed, a good many Canadians served in the British military instead of the Canadian (especially the RAF), and they get lost in the shuffle. Contrasted against that, however, is the fact that the Canadian army had a D-Day beach to itself (Juno), and this army played a major role in the continental campaign that followed (just ask the Dutch and Belgians), not to mention the previous battles in Italy. This book helps to fill the gap in nicely, if in less detail than I would have liked. It is obvious that Bercusen has studied his material. The addition of some photos was a nice touch. Recommended for anyone with an interest in Canada's contribution in the "last great war." I look forward to reading his offering on Canada's effort in the Korean War (Blood on the Hills).

For anyone who ever wondered what role Canadians had in WW II, Maple Leaf against the Axis is a comprehensive and enjoyable read. Although Bercuson doesn't go into great detail describing key battles he gives you an overview of the Canadian contributions in WW II. He describes the mental and military conditions of the Canadian Army before and during the war. It is an easy and unbiased read; Bercuson is not shy to point out the inadequacies and problems with the Canadian army. In conclusion, Bercuson is able to describe what the allies truly accomplished..."the sheer determination of mortal men who pitted flesh against steel and concrete, and finally prevailed"