The question: can a ten-year-old topical reference still be relevant? The answer: in the case of 50 Ways to Fight Censorship, you bet. This slim, plain-speaking book by former Rolling Stone editor Dave Marsh, with several contributors who range from author and Paris Review editor George Plimpton to poet Allen Ginsberg and a television writer, has very sound, constitutional advice that remains current, even if it was around before the Internet. Now that the Supreme Court has conferred the presidential tiara on George W. Bush, we are seeing the return of the right-wing censors of the Reagan-Bush era, like Dick Cheney and James Baker. We already have been hearing proposals for limiting speech on the Internet. We need a manual like this to make sure we act, not just react, to preserve our first and most fundamental right as Americans, to speak freely and to decide for ourselves what is appropriate to read, hear and view.

For all those people out there who want to stand up, who want to make their voices heard in the ongoing battle against censorship, but just don't know what to do: Dave Marsh has your answer. "50 Ways to Fight Censorship..." is packed with ideas of how you can join in the fight, be it locally or nationally. Marsh provides lists of oranizations you can get in touch with to help get you started, and his suggestions are practical enough for just about anybody to make an impact.

Have you ever walked into a library and not been able to get the book you wanted? Or walk into a movie store, but the title had been banned? Perhaps you aked yourself why? Or what you could do to stop the government from pulling titles simply because they dont like it. The first thing that you could do, is read this book. This book talks about numerous things you can do to stop the censors for taking away your first amendment right. Everytime you are denied anything because of censorship, your freedom of speech is being violated. Authors, artists, musicians, and directors are all being halted from showing the world their thoughts due to censorship, and we have to stop it now!

This collection from Baxter Black is a wonderful herd of wild stories and wonerdful poetry. He really touches the spirt and tickles the funny bone with his wonerful wit and cowboy wisdom. This book also has great listrations for every poem or story. You won't regret this purchase, I know I treasure my copy. Don't miss this great poet in one of his finest publications

Whenever I hear Baxter Black's name mentioned on NPR, my ears take notice. And excerpts from this, his latest offering, are just plain funny, touching, and wonderful! (Note, the poem about his first dance with his daughter and his poem about his pickup truck.) He makes the most common of things and events come sharply into focus until they become uncommonly interesting. If you're looking for entertainment that won't offend the senses and leaves you with that fresh after the rain sense of serenity, you won't do any better than Baxter Black!

The fact that this book is both out of print and so readily available used suggests that someone either mis-marketed this book or overestimated the demand for such an account. This is a shame, because Sam Moore's narrative is both emblematic of soul music and free of cliche. Because editor Dave Marsh steps out of the way, and because Sam is so frank and open, we get a wonderful story unencumbered by an obvious "form" or plot arc. Sam's story is rich with all of the classic themes of growing up in the gospel church and leaving that behind for popular music, fame, fortune, and sin, but it is never forced to fit any tropes--even when Sam is a heroin addict, for example, we never get the walking-zombie caricature so common in movies and novels. Plenty of sex, drugs, rock-and-roll, and redemption here.

Sam Moore is one of the greatest voices of soul music (even if he says he doesn't think so). In this book, he tells his own story in his own words, and that story is by turns triumphant and tragic, funny and harrowingly sad. The highs of "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming" are here, and so are the lows of Sam's drug addiction and the loss of a partner to the same habit. Sam cuts no corners, and pulls no punches. He bluntly tells of his early years, when he would do almost anything to get what he wanted, and the price he ultimately paid for that. But this is no unrelenting sob story. The spirit and great good humor of the man behind the music comes through. This is nowhere more evident than in Sam's recounting of his marching band days, when he fooled almost everyone (including his band teacher, Cannonball Adderley, no less), at least for a while, into thinking that he could play the saxaphone. Sam also gives a thorough personal glimpse into the making of the great Stax sound, taking the reader into the studio (a converted Memphis movie house) as those wonderful hits were created. Maybe the best thing about the book is that, by the end, you know that Sam's story is not over, and there's more great music to come. The heart and the soul and the voice are as strong as ever, and you want to hear more. For soul fans, this book is a must, but this honest self-appraisal will reach out and grab anyone.

It's pretty funny that commercials trying to be "hip" are using these songs now. Of course this book doesn't pick one song for an absolute answer. Instead (and as it should be)it traces the various influences which evolved to be "Rock and Roll" - I'm sorry to see this is out-of-stock hopefully there'll be a reprint soon.

I'm sick of reading junky rock books where the author thinks it all started with Bill Haley and "Rock Around the Clock." These two guys obviously know their history of R&B and country boogie and pop music from the late '40s and '50s, and they obviously have listened to the records they write about. Maybe it's got too much detail for a casual reader, but if you love old R&B like I do, it's the best.

In this book, Dave Marsh has compiled the definitive lists of the best and the worst that rock 'n' roll has to offer. Drawing from his experience as a rock critic for Rolling Stone magazine, he has covered every aspect of rock 'n' roll, from musicians to songwriters, from attitude to publicity. Along with his own opinions and information, he has gathered the input of other select critics and musicians. Irreverent and witty, this book is a great read. No one with aspirations of being a master of rock trivia should be without it. Where else can you get a list of all the best records that never made it to #1? Who else has compiled a list of the absolute silliest band names to come out of the 60's? Where else can you get good advice like "Don't let the roadie handle your valuable guitar. I have a box of toothpicks that used to be a Les Paul"? This book is now out of print, but it is worth the wait to find a used copy.

As compelling as the two Guralnick books are, my favorite is this sprawling, wonderfully illustrated biography highlighted by Mr. Marsh's knowledgeable text. His list of song highlights in the back of this invaluable volume serves as a great "crash course" in the King's discography. Dave Marsh is a great fan of Elvis, but the book does not sink into gushy fan love letter stuff, nor does it go the Albert Goldman route. If I could award six stars, I would.

This is a must for anyone you know who is interested in Rock and Roll, music, or humor. What a great gift idea! Sure solved my list for the next year!And I'm not just saying this because I'm the mother of one of the authors.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: An Oral History by Lee Ballinger (West Coast Editor of "Rock & Rap Confidential") is a unique and informative history of the Lynyrd Skynyrd rock-n-roll band as seen through the eyes and told in quotes of the people who were around them before, during, and after their sometimes legendary performances -- as well as the 1977 plan crash that killed almost half of the original band. Consisting entirely of quotes and brief vignettes by different people concerning various topics and performances concerning the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd is highly readable, fascinating to flip through, distinctive in its presentation, and highly recommended reading for rock 'n roll enthusiasts in general, and the legions of Lynyrd Skynyrd fans in particular.

Lee Ballinger does a great job of capturing the spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd. This book is a must for any Skynyrd fan.

This is a wonderful book, told by those of us who were there; band members, employees, relatives and contemporaries. Lee has done a fine job portraying one of America's best rock and roll bands, doing so with the words of people who knew the band and were part of the dream. This book provides some unique insights into the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and their classic music, a must-read for anyone interested in this band. Great job, Lee!

John Haury

One of the best bio's I have read! Took only 3-4 days to read since it moved at a very fast pace with so many things happening in James Browns life. His upbringing, music, family, record companies, IRS, managers, riots, struggles are all here. Before reading this I was a big fan even though I was not sure of the place this man occupied in music, as an innovater and business person, now I do. The first man to popularize the "live" album, strict band leader, tireless composer/arranger, producer, drummer, singer, dancer and many more things that one person had in him (as well as surrounded himself with exceptional musicians and some exceptional business partners). Also learned of his ethnic background which is Asian/Black/Indian. Many roadblocks on the way and a glimpse of what the business end of the entertainment world is like round out an exceptional and candid look into the life of Soul brother number 1!

I'm usually not so crazy about Star Biographies... for a variety of reasons, they're usually attention getting "feel bad for me" vs. "worship me" ploys taken from the pages of magazines atleast I wouldn't be caught dead reading outside of a doctor's office, however - - THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT (!) It is enormously well written - - Though its pretty clear Bruce Tucker wrote most of it, he managed to dig down into JBs soul and convey his RAGS TO RICHES story quite convincingly, capturing his voice while telling about his rise and fall (<-- the IRS and disco got him) and his come back at the time This book is so well written that I've actually reread it SEVERAL times since it initially came out in the mid '80s. - - Though it is a bit ironical that JBs life would get a bit more "complicated" after it was written (the drugs, run-ins with the law, death of his wife etc.) it is clear that Brown & Tucker have presented to the world a book that's engrossing and definitely a keeper... It will bring a whole new meaning to the music !

very powerful&uplifting.it touches on many different subjects.racisim,poverty etc..who hasn't this man not influenced? to see a human being overcome so many hardships&provide a innovative sound&style is incredible.but Mr.brown is a man with few peers on his level.this book explores the legend&genius of james brown.

I enjoyed reading this book because it explores the personal side of Motown and its artists. I also appreciated that the writer also explored the stories of lesser-known Motown acts like Mable John and the Velvelettes. My only criticism of the book is that it failed to include a chapter on Gladys Knight. How can you do a book called, "Women of Motown" without Gladys Knight?

I have always been Facsinated By Motown Records.it's so Important For African-Americans to Have A Stake in things and Berry Gordy is someone very Special in Keeping the Dream Alive.more often than Not The Women of Motown were pretty much just show except Diana ROss but this Book kicks that down and explores The Importance Of The Ladies at Motown.This Great Label had Many Great Minds of both Sexes and it's Important that they be heard.

This book is a comprehensive review of a very special time in American music. We are treated with actual stories that haven't been shared in the media until now. For those that feel that Motown women consist of only the Supremes, this book introduces us to a group of musicians that will surely inspire the reader to find some new artists in the Motown section of the local CD store. Let's see some more! Hopefully a new group of Motown ladies are out there that will revive the Detroit sound.