The American Book of the Dead

by Oliver Trager

Book Overview

From Simon & Schuster, The American Book of the Dead is Oliver Trager's definitive Grateful Dead encyclopedia and all the information you need to know about the Grateful Dead in one place.

The American Book of the Dead is the definitive encyclopedic guidebook to the long, strange cultural trip taken by one of America's most innovative, awe-inspiring rock groups and its fans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684814021
• ISBN13: 9780684814025
• Release Date: December 1997
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 2.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Definitive

I love this book. I got it about a year ago and I read it cover to cover over the course of a month. It makes great bathroom reading! The thing that's really great about this book is that you get the story behind all of the songs. Reading the backstory for all of my favorite tunes gave them a new life and made me want to go listen to them again -- to see them in that new light. Another interesting aspect is that even the covers are given some backstory -- including extensive information about the orig. artists. Then there's the in-depth information about the Dead themselves. Want to know more about Tom Constantine? It's there. Interested in Bruce Hornsby's connection to the Dead? It's there too. Overall I love having this book in my collection. It's a great reference book as well as a damn good read. I strongly recommend this to all Dead-heads!

Good book for deadheads to read on the ...! ;)

This is basically just an encyclopedia of Dead information. No setlists, but a description of every song the dead played, along with recommended versions of each song are included. Signifigant personalities are also listed with appropriate descriptions. The roots of the dead are also discussed, and there is a fair amount of quotes from various band members. It is a good book, but the encyclopedia format gives no continuity, so toilet style, quick reading is the best way to enjoy this book. But hey, i got this book for 4.99 on the clearance table of a book store. I wouldn't pay 14 bills for it (i'm cheap), but it is nevertheless a great source of info about the Dead.

The Dead

GREAT BOOk, if your a dead fan, very interesting information and i learned a lot, i recommend this book to all the peace love nature hippies who love the dead it is a great experience

fun read

It is a fun book lots of info and great facts plus many new photos. If you are a diehard deadhead or a novice you shoud learn lots of new stuff. I liked the entrys for each song, where it came from,who also did a cover,best live version.An encyclopedia for all fans of the dead or fans of the music it came from.

if you're reading this then buy the book!

Do you listen to Dead tapes? Will they play Dark Star at your funeral? This book belongs in your home. It is first and foremost a reference work, but it is lovingly compiled and utilizes more other sources than most (if not all) the other Dead tomes out there. You know most of what's out there - prose histories summarizing interview material. Sure, this baby has that, and plenty of it. But what sets this book apart is its referential essence. Hey, it's alphabetical. So you want to find out who has recorded "How long blues?" Look it up! Trager lists like the most prominent performers of the tune, plus the best (known) Dead performances of said tune (his best list I guess-but always fun to compare!). They go into details of a song's history and interpretations, give you the rundown on the writer and original performers, and link it up with the Dead. It's great. Hey, if you are looking for a reference on blues musicians and don't care about the Dead, this book is for you too! I especially like the fact that Trager has those obscure and rarely performed tunes in here. 'Nuff said. Check it out!