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Advantages: Clear definitions and analysis
Disadvantages: May go into too much depth for everyday reader

Dance and the Music of J. S. Bach: Expanded Edition Written by: Meredith Little, Natalie Jenne Published By: Indiana U.P. Published: May 2001 Price: £20.50 The Authors Meredith Little and Natalie Jenne are eminently qualified and experienced to write this book. Little is an attorney practicing law. She taught at Stanford University and Aston Magna Academy and is an author of several articles on Baroque music and dance. Jenne is the Professor ...
...in 1991 detailing the stylized dance pieces of the baroque period and the English and French Suites of Johann Sebastian Bach. In the expanded version published in 2001, Meredith Little and Natalie Jenne study further examples of Bach's works that show identifiable dance rhythms but do not have a specific dance title. The book firstly examines the French dance practices of the period established in the court of Louis XlV. The authors then look in ... Read review

Advantages: Sparkling, lively, nasty, engrossing; thoroughly researched; paints vivid picture of classical music world; refreshingly un-PC.
Disadvantages: Also made me feel a bit queasy; way too many typos!

...penned an engrossing book in The Maestro Myth: Great Conductors in Pursuit of Power. He lays bare the unpretty, fully human side of conducting and conductors, in and away from the orchestral pit. You want the scoop? Norman Lebrecht delivers it, in spades. The best thing about it is that you need to know almost nil about conductors to enjoy the wicked tales he tells. Lebrecht first published this tome back in 1990, and closed the book then with a ...
...it for 2001, explaining in the final chapter what he now sees as hopeful trends. Amid all the enticing tittle-tattle and chitchat, he also brings sorely needed attention to some distressing developments in the art and business of conducting and classical music. The Introduction describes the grandiose myth surrounding the conductor and offers a preview of what to expect from the rest of the book. He traces the beginnings of the conductor to the mid-19th ... Read review

Advantages: very interesting, funny life.
Disadvantages: uncertainty behind some parts

Having been a huge Who fan for a few years, I was excited to read this biography. Once read I was not disappointed. Moments of out loud laughter combined with intrigue and sadness. The author (Tony Fletcher) attempts to be impartial, attempting to separate the myth from the legend, which is no easy task with a character at extreme characters in modern times. Even his birth date is uncertain. The book describes key moments and some very very funny ...
...of the most interesting people to live, given the money and fame to fulfil his lifestyle of excess. Excess being the key word in Keith's life, where everything including drink, drugs and jokes was over the top. Many famous friends of Keith participated in the book, giving frank and detailed interviews. Exceptions to those participating were Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry of The Who. Fletcher shows his true like for Moon as a musician by showing ... Read review

Advantages: Very funny.
Disadvantages: None.

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand. When I first heard of him it had been on Big brother's big mouth, his humour was quite extraordinary and much much funnier than the other people they have on that show. Sometime after that he began to appear on other shows wowing us with his talent in humour. The moment I saw this book in the library I got it out, hoping for some more of his work, I wasn't dissapointed, even when he was talking about his drug and ...
...read. The book begins with his child-hood and when he first went into the dramatic arts, then it goes to his drug taking and finally to the rehab centres he has had to go to. You get to have a closer look at this hyper comedian and learn more about his life. I never wanted to put the book down when I started the first chapter though be warned, this book should be read by adults only. ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of information, educational, fascinating
Disadvantages: Lots of difficult words, a little hard to understand at times

...for an overall technique. Tricks Of The Mind is definitely an interesting read and contains some fascinating information, particularly in the area of basic human psychology. I did find myself picking up the dictionary probably once ever chapter, but I think by now I have mastered Derren's vocabulary. ... Read review