Of the three books on reggae I have recently read this is the second best. It gives a fairly good overview of the music, recommends albums from various periods and interviews a lot of former and current stars. It's not really a book for continuous reading but rather a reference work to be consulted occasionally. Overall a worthwhile addition to the growing literature on reggae - better than Reggae, Rasta, Revolution but not as good as Reggae Routes : The Story of Jamaican Music which is definitely the best book ever written on the subject.

Jamaica's incredibly prolific musical output (more than one hundred thousand different records over the last fifty years) is a phenomenon totally out of proportion to the island's small size, its 2 million strong population and modest wealth. Equally significant is the huge influence of reggae music on everything from punk to hip hop to today's rave and dj culture. So if you're looking for a reggae primer that really explains what it's all about, this is the book you need. Authors Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton possess an unrivalled knowledge of Jamaica's rich musical heritage and if you've ever bought any of the superbly remastered and repackaged reissue cds from Barrow's Blood & Fire label, you'll find the same care, attention to detail and love of the music in the pages of the Rough Guide.

The book chronicles the entire history of Jamaican music chapter by chapter, from the earliest beginnings to the sounds being made today; explaining when, how and why each new style developed, who made it happen and the background of continuing social change in Jamaica itself, which has always played a part in shaping the music. There are also excellent accounts of the evolution of reggae in the UK, the USA and Africa.

In each chapter the main text is supplemented by profiles of the major singers, groups, dj's, musicians, producers, engineers, studios and promoters who came to the fore in that particular era, which often include interviews with the artists themselves. The accompanying discographies are well researched and can reliably be used to add to your record collection. There are over a thousand featured albums in the book, each of which is concisely reviewed, and although there's no rating system as such, the most important releases are highlighted as being essential for a particular artist or style. Such ratings are inevitably subjective, but if you follow these recommendations you won't go far wrong.

The Rough Guide is also well illustrated throughout with photographs and album artwork, and overall the book is as comprehensive and accurate as it can be while remaining reasonably concise. I don't generally spend much time wading through books about music because theory (ie reading about it) is invariably much less enjoyable and informative than practice (ie listening to it), but I've found this one to be consistently useful.

If you have a few dollars more to spare I'd recommend that also you buy the wonderful 4 CD set "Tougher than tough: the story of Jamaican music", so you can read and listen in parallel; and if you'd like to dig deeper into the subject try the excellent "Bass culture: when reggae was king" by Lloyd Bradley. But the Rough Guide should definitely be your first book about reggae music and will probably be the only one you'll ever need.

Most people that have criticized this book already know a great deal about reggae (or at least think they do) and don't need a primer such as this. Sure, it can't include everything. It is the "Rough" Guide afterall. In my opinion, one could do considerably worse than this book written by one of the foremost reggae historians working today. It has been accused of being relatively stale and slow but if you're interested in the subject matter that shouldn't matter, right. This is history not entertainmant. If you want to be swept away by the prose get Borges. If you want to learn about reggae from a knowledgebale source then read this book. It's that simple.

Sorry, I have to disagree. It's an intelligent book, of course, but it's a desperate attempt to rescue the status quo disparity of wealth and poverty by urgently wishing that the Bible didn't really mean (or even say) what it so clearly DOES mean (and say) on the subject of poverty. It's as if the "rich young ruler" had not only despaired at being told to rid himself of his wealth (which he loved too much to follow his prescription by Jesus), but had actually sat down to debate right back again, trying to come up with a justification for NOT changing his life: "Jesus didn't REALLY mean it when He said..." or, "But if I actually did that, why, things might get hard for me!"

It's a way of appearing to take the Bible seriously by lawyering one's way out of its clear teachings, but without being so serious about it that one actually changes a darned thing about the injustices of the world.

Although this work was written specifically to rebut Ron Sider's book "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger," it also gives a thorough introduction to explicitly Biblical economics. One needn't have read Sider's book to benefit from Chilton's critique of Sider's socialist economics. Chilton gives specific examples of how to apply the economic laws of the Old Testament, and more importantly, why we ought to do so. It is no doubt due to Chilton's persuasive arguments that Sider has, in subsequent editions of his own book, rescinded many of his previously extremist theories.

If you buy and read only one book from the "Christian Reconstruction" movement, this should be it! The critical comments of others on here nowithstanding, Chilton totally demolishes those of the "Christian Left" (namely Sider, but there are many of his ilk!) by using the most incisive source book available....gasp....the Bible! It is Sider who picks and chooses passages and takes them out of context to make his socialistic points. Chilton slams them all one by one.

If we are to read the Bible with any understanding, we must read and learn the whole Bible, not just certain parts that justify our already held presuppositions. Taken as a whole, the Bible - the inspired, inerrent, infallible Word of God, has much to say about poverty. Yes, we should not love our material possessions more than we love Christ, as the rich young ruler obviously did. Yes, we Christians, both individually and collectively, must provide care for the poor. But we must do so per the Bible's own laws. I would ask those who think the story of the rich young ruler tells us all to sell all of our posessions and give them to the poor,"Have you sold yours? If so, where did you get the computer to write your review on? If you have no possessions, are you now naked, hungry, and unsheltered? If not, why not? Do you have a car? A TV? A microwave? Or are these rules only for certain people, not you?"

The Bible makes plain that while we will always have the poor with us, there are often reasons for their poverty - many times due to their own not living up to Biblical mandates. Biblical help must come with Biblical strings attached.

And do not be deceived into thinking the Bible, in either the Old or New Testaments, gives a mandate to the civil government to have a program of handouts, either foreign or domestic. Likewise, do not be fooled into thinking that God is 'always'on the side of the poor and 'oppressed'. God is *always* on the side of the righteous. Therefore, each of us has a mandate to righteousness.

There is a clear Biblical mandate - those who don't work, don't eat.

Does all this mean that Christians sit idly by while many suffer in poverty? Absolutely not! We are called to follow Biblical law. By the same token, those 'poor' do not sit idly by and expect the civil government to 'take care' of them.

There always will be those who, for one reason or another, find themselves in financial straights. The church (when functioning properly) is there to give aid and comfort. The civil government does play a role at times. But that Biblical role does not equal a welfare state.

Chilton and others of his ilk have produced many volumens on sound Biblical economics including sound money, sound welfare, sound foreign aid, and so on. There are many works I could cite, but like I said, if you buy and read only one, this should be it. But, I would wager, you'll come back for more!

Chilton was an excellent writer, and this book is filled to the rim withwit, wisdom, humor, satire, sarcasm, and clarity. I have several of his other books on my 'to read' list. He passed way too soon, but that is in God's Hands, not mine!

Of particular note, if you get the later version, is his response to Sider's so-called 'response.' Sider claimed to take on his critics in the second volume of his book. Unfortunately, he did not even bother to mention this full book length critique. He mentioned only a couple of writers who are in essential agreement with him, with minor disagreements around the edges. His 'updates' mainly included changing a few exclamation marks to periods! On this second edition, Sider really squirms!

Buy it, read it, love it!

Rich beyond belief, surrounded by the Jet Set, envyied by royalty, and a living icon of history, John Kennedy Jr. had it all-yet he was a humble, grateful, and compassionate. Beginning in the hub of our nations capitol and ending with a subdued and sad farewell upon USS John Fitzgerald Kennedy, this little book is an etched composite of an American sons' life.

Dozens of books have been written about JFK Jr. but this book is different. I liked the factual historical approach of this book: the glamourization and controversial slant of most books about the Kennedy's is thankfully missing. This book provides a good role model for developing compassion in children. He had it all; but still, he had a good heart! Frankly I enjoyed this refreshing story and who could forever forget the haunting portrait on the cover.

An impressionistic, haunting image of JFK jr.on the cover draws the reader inside to learn of the short, but meaningful life of JFK's son, a member of America's royalty, his charmed life cut short. This book caries the reader through his life with great interest, and makes a wonderful gift for anyone who remembers America's Kennedy years, those halcyon days of Camelot.

For aficionados of Hollywood's golden years. The book is the companion to an exhibit at the LA museum on the Hollywood photographers whose portraits probably did more than the films in creating the glamour associated with the movie industry. It's great fun to look through and see rare photographs of both the familiar and forgotten faces of Hollywood.

Knowing next to nothing about Babs, I found this book educational, but a little difficult to follow. The author dropped (what seemed like) about 10 names per page, most of which nobody who was born post-1960, like myself, would recognize. It was very hard to remember who was who. I thought I was doing a pretty good job keeping up with Babs' husbands...remembering which was which...but after a while it got confusing (obviously more the subject's fault than the author's). I think I got a pretty good idea of what Ms. Hutton was about, and have a hard time sympathizing with her...poor little rich girl indeed! She popped into a Woolworth's ONCE in her life, just to sign a few autographs. Her cheesy poetry netted her less than $200, the only money she truly earned of her own effort. Someone else handled all her financial matters (luckily for her, usually quite well), because she couldn't be bothered...spending money takes time, you know). She dropped husbands as soon as they no longer entertained her. Yes, she had exquisite taste in clothing and jewelry, and traveled incessantly to places I can only dream of ever seeing..but had no grasp on reality- she once sent one of her employees to the bank to change a bill because she had no change..it was a $10,000 bill ( I didn't even know those existed!). I enjoyed this book because it took me somewhere I could never go myself. It's hard to feel sorry for her though...she dug her own grave!!!

He hid his obscure background. He emerged into a society which was pegged for him! And he lived to tell about it -- as did his friends.

This is a collection of recollections about the inimitable Cole Porter, straight from the horses' mouths -- his family, his friends, his collaborators (which he denied having! Cole didn't see any reason not to write words AND music for everything!). It is witty and sad, frank and frivilous and fun. For insight into the life and talent of the man who gave us the songs we hum daily, we sing in the shower, and we spout lines from as if they were common knowledge, this is the source! A highly recommendable read, to be sure -- especially for those who love the music and sophisitication of the era!

I began reading this informative biography, thinking it was probably just the typical filmography most books done on Tom Hanks are. The author has done a tremendous amount of research and, although I thought I was a well-informed fan, learned quite a few revelations. Anyone who loves Tom Hanks will be thrilled with this book and those who are only curious will also enjoy it.

People scare me don't hurt me. I enjoy the letter k.

I was quite excited to get David Brinkley's book, as I have enjoyed his newscasts for years, particularly the early conventions. As it turns out, this is a "Chatty-Cathy" book that rambles on about his life, with his TV persona somewhat as an afterthought. The book is quite readable with his enjoyable laconic style, but at the end, you don't know much more about him, TV, the process of TV news, or the events to which he was an eyewitness....at least not more than you already knew or could surmise.
The book was a pleasant interlude, but somewhat a bit of froth

Having grown up with the Huntley-Brinkley report and watching them at all the conventions, I truly enjoyed this book. Especially interesting is how Brinkley trashes Jesse Helms.

To me, Brinkley always seemed a cut above the modern TV journalist / anchor -- more sober, more professional and less interested in focusing the attention on himself rather than his subject.

David Brinkley tells his life story in this quick book. Growing up with the new medium of television, he and his partner (Chet Huntly) wrote much of the playbook for the way network news and tv interview shows are conducted.

This is an interesting story that tells not only of Brinkley's growth and development but also of the maturation of the tv news industry. Along the way, Brinkley was witness to many seminal events and has of course met many of the notables of his era.

The man's integrity and dedication to the profession of journalism shines through in this book. I can't imagine Sam or Cokie or Dan or Peter writing this book. Too much would be devoted to image and the their impact on the news. Brinkley was able to achieve the incredible credibility he enjoyed because he was made of different stuff -- this is the story of a darn good journalist who understood the difference between covering the news and entering it.

This book reads a lot like watching a soap opera, or a Lifetime movie. In fact that might be a good way to characterize it: the made for TV movie of Kennedy books. That does not mean, however, that it is not enjoyable. It is an easy and entertaining read, and a great introduction to this famous, or infamous family. The best that it has to offer is the parts about the third generation, which cooperated with the authors and granted them interviews. However, in the rush to seek an explanation for why the young ones turned out bad, the authors blame everything on Senator Ted Kennedy, which is not quite fair to a loving father and uncle, and a legislative giant, who is passed off in this book as a moron who rides his family's coattails. This book is a good read, but not a one-stop place for information.

This book is by far one of the most telling stories about the Kennedy dynasty I have ever read. Having read Thomas Reeves profile of Jack Kennedy in "A Question of Character" I found that "The Kennedy's" gives much more information on the inner workings of the Kennedy family. I especially enjoy the stories of old Joe Kennedy, how he made his fortunes, and his political power. The book is very well done, and I recommend everyone interested in politics, real politics, to read.

An excellent account of the Kennedys from the beginnings up to 1984, when the book was written. This book gives you a blow-by-blow history of the family and the kids. I found it most interesting learning about the little known real story of Camelot. There has been so much written about the Kennedys but the authors did some serious research and told some never before written stories, such as the JFK's back problems and Rosemary's retardation, also stories about the Kennedy kids and their drug problems. Quite informative and thorough, this book is excellent history.