Woodstock: Back to Yasgur's Farm

After hearing much about the Woodstock festival my whole life and seeing (and enjoying) the documentary for the first time almost a year ago, I began looking more into it -the most those of us born after it can do. This book, written for Woodstock's 50th anniversary, is the best one so far. It provides plenty of in-depth information about the background of the event and setting it up, as well as an entire section covering all of the 32 performers of the event, some of whom most of us either didn't realize were there and/or have never heard of because they were cut from the documentary and soundtrack, along with a good balance of personal accounts of the event from the author (who was there when it happened) and some of his friends, which sets this book apart from most of the other books I've read about Woodstock, making it my favorite so far. While the size of the book is quite small for a coffee table, it's actually perfect, since it'd be too heavy otherwise, with no problem seeing the letters. The paper is of decent quality, and there's plenty of pictures, both in black and white but mostly in color, to adorn each page and keep the reader's attention going. The copy that I purchased was used, costing around only $4 or $5 from a third-party seller, but, aside from a somewhat bent corner, it is in good condition. Began reading on the first day of the anniversary of Woodstock, finishing on its last day, and what better time. Would make a good gift, too.

This is a memento the generation defined by the event will love. Most of the Woodstock generation are in their late 60s or early 70s, and this book will refresh their fading memories and bring back to life the joy of the 3 beautiful days at Yasgur's Farm in New York. This book has the history, beginning with the dream of 'hippie entrepreneur', Michael Lang and three of his friends and their crazy idea of bringing the best bands for a single concert. They did not expect to have 500,000 young men and women arriving to make Woodstock the event of the hippie generation. The book has photographs of the events, with candid shots, as well as posters of the bands and singers who performed - think Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Credence Clearwater Revival. If you are from that generation, get this book and sleep with it every night. If you are not from that generation, get this book and see what you missed.

There is a 64 page section within this book, with 2 color pages for each of the 32 acts who performed at Woodstock with photos, band member names and their instruments, a song list of what they performed at the festival, what day and time they performed, and how much they were paid. There are plenty of acts who did not make the film or soundtrack who performed including Creedence Clearwater Revival who had 6 songs in the Top 40 in 1969. Members of this band are among the many interviewees included. There is also a page on the 25 acts who were asked or considered to perform and did not. In addition to musicians, there is a touching multiple page tribute to dairy farmer Max Yasgur who allowed his 600 acre property to be used for this historic festival when other locations refused. I had learned a lot from Michael Lang's 40th anniversary book The Road to Woodstock, but I have learned more and have been so entertained with Mike Greenblatt's 50th anniversary book, that this will now be my reference book for Woodstock.

Mike, your book recently arrived and my husband Tom and I are loving it!! While reading excerpts aloud over dinner, we are both laughing, ooh-ing, reminiscing and just having a good time! Tom especially appreciates the rawness in your personal writing style. I love how you portray the relationship you had with your traveling companion, my wonderful brother, Neil. The connection, and mutual affection, genuinely comes through...despite the seemingly huge gaps of time (and what happened during those periods) when you were totally lost to each other. My guess is, knowing that somewhere there was at least one individual you could really count on, in the swarm of kindred-spirits-who-still-were-essentially-strangers, served as an anchor. It would be interesting to hear his rendition...Mike, I loved how you took those of us who still regret not being there, along for the ride. I so appreciated your transparency and vulnerability when you wrote about losing, and then finding, Neil. A universal experience many can relate to. At the same time, you did the research and documented things that went on at Woodstock that even those who attended may not have had privy to. It's hard to capture that balance in writing where others who shared an experience can relate to what's being said, while at the same time, learn something new. And those who were not there, feel like they were. You, my dear, accomplished both.Wonderful job! I look forward to sharing your book with others and will enjoy saying, "I remember Mike when..." Take good care and do let me know if any book touring brings you around to this neck of the woods. Best of luck!