The Road to Woodstock

I wasn't old enough to go to Woodstock; actually, I'm not even sure I really understood until much later what it really was. But of course, through the years since, I've seen the pictures, watched the movie, have the album and now the CD, and love all the music! Wow, what an amazing adventure it must have been to be there! I was old enough to become a fan of so many of the artists who had played there, and in just a few years, knew what it was about. But this book is so interesting; to see how it all came together, to get insights from the artists themselves, and to hear how the people who attended felt themselves. I've always said had I been old enough, I would have been there, but I know my parents who are no longer here would "roll" when I say that. Since this was the first music festival of its kind, it really was phenomenal, and although I've only started the book, I'm already pulled into the first ideas forming to create what would become Woodstock. Two other books were suggested by one reviewer to get the fullest picture, and I may look into getting one or both, after finishing this one. I probably should have waited to give stars when I finished the book, so you should read a few other reviews before making your decision. I've just gone through this one, and know I'll be pleased because for me, it will be a wealth of information. (There are also several pictures included, too.). Just as aside: I purchased the "Bonnaroo" book at the same time, and since I am from Tennessee, I can't believe after reading it, that I've never gone. My daughter has gone a few times, but doesn't enjoy camping out and the heat, and has passed on it the past couple of years. But after reading this year's lineup, I would go in a flash if I had someone to go with, and I do have some friends my own age who are attending. They take a RV, which is the only way to go at my age! The reason I brought this up is because Neil Young is to have said about Bonnaroo, "If Woodstock were like Bonnaroo today--food and beverage stands everywhere, showers, toilets, guards directing traffic, etc., we would still be there!"

Perfect size book with plenty of history and written well. An amazing ride!

I was only 11 when Woodstock occurred. I was very influenced by the meaning behind the concert - that of peace and love. But most of all started to dislike our government because of Viet Nam. Men from my hometown lost their lives there, so the war truly hit home. Now, 55 years old through this book I have become very disillusioned about this generation. It seems that for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction. Pulling in one direction is the horror of war and lives lost and pulling in the other direction was escapism of a generation through extreme drug use. No longer naïve, I have found that heavy drug use influenced the hippies to the point that they could not function without it's use. Now as a pharmacist in real life, I see first hand how bad the drug use in two generations removed from Woodstock really is. Drug use is not an answer to problem, just an excuse. While I still hold the music from Woodstock and of the period of 1967 thru 1972 the best material of the rock and roll era, I often wandered what the music would be like without the drugs. Michael Lang is very vivid in his account of the journey to Woodstock and the book is a pleasant read. He should be commended for having the guts to pull off such an event. It is just hard to understand while at the age of 12 he was dropping acid. The peace and love created from this generation would mean so much more without the drug use. To think that Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison where so brilliant and yet cheated themselves out of life. We all lost superb talent when they died. The book finalizes itself with the idea that Barack Obama is a product of Woodstock. Sadly, this is true. I am not that into politics but I feel he wants us all to live as one happy commune bathed in socialism. His neutralization of society and taking away of free enterprise reaks of the Woodstock timeframe. We are allowing him to let government control us. This was something that the spirit of Woodstock was dead against. Yet, the liberalism that permeates our society today is in control. Isn't socialism equal to VietNam in the respect that we are still as unique individuals being controlled by our government? To close, I am proud to say that Woodstock happened. Despite all I have tackled in this review, I still loved that period of time. I only wish that I was still naïve.

I would say that is my favourite book ever, i have read it 4 times and it never gets boring. It is a super interesting biography of the founder of Woodstock and all the struggles it went through to make it happened.

Great read!

Felt more like a biography than I was expecting but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and getting to see such an important event from the inside eyes.

Okay: I was 13 so on the planet. But the magic of that era was not lost on me and the music speaks for itself. But what I enjoy about book, as much as the way it evokes images of the whole circus, is some understanding of what a great human experience it was to be central to something which in my mind really was a significant milestone in the history of the last century and the sixties in particular. It was of its time, flawed but wonderful for its creativity, idealism and effrontery of small-mindedness and the prejudices of the respectable middle-classes. Those suits and company men. The greasy pole climbing self-seekers were and are still here but the world changed then and has henceforth become a better place because of the values of that baby boomer generation. Its fashionable to be critical of the boomers but they were god at getting what they wanted and changing things. Steve Jobs and co all hark back from this time and look at all the very positive things, politically, socially and technologically the Woodstock generation have brought to the world. A great read to either dream, reminisce or get a flavour of the time.

tried to cancel after ordering - no spot to do so