History of the World in Nine Guitars [Hardcover]

Erik Orsenna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

A variation in nine movements on the guitar through the ages, from ancient Egypt to Jimi Hendrix, with Eric Clapton as the guide...An elegant, solemn tale.--Le Monde

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 105 pages
• Publisher: Welcome Rain Publishers (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566490464
• ISBN-13: 978-1566490467
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,858,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An amusing trifle, August 11, 2000

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of the World in Nine Guitars (Hardcover)

It is the dawn of a new millenium. Who should show up at the archeological dig that recovered Lucy - the oldest human female skeleton found? Eric Clapton. What's playing constantly at the site? Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. What does Eric dream of? Old guitar masters - Egypt, Peru, Spain, France, Italy, America.

Interesting concept, acceptable writing style, no depth of character. An amusing read, nothing more.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars World History That Rocks!, March 15, 2001

By 

shoutgrace "savedbyhisgrace" (Charleston, WV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of the World in Nine Guitars (Hardcover)

At the start of a new millenium a concert of all concerts in history is about to take place. The scene is at an old archeological dig site and the finding of Lucy the mother of history and music, which is excavated well listening to "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". Enter Eric Clapton to this historical event and experiences a journey in music's past. This archeological find transports Clapton into dreams of his proverbial ancestors from a Persian in ancient Eygpt, a Peruvian emperor, a Milan violinist to the black gospel & blues singers along the Mississippi of the Old South and the mastery of Jimi Hendrix. This story is very creative and inventive in the way it uses guitars, music and world history. It's a nice telling of how music and the birth of the guitar expanded through the ages of time. Each timeline interpets the rise of the musical instrument, that has become part of our pop culture and they way we listen to music, and how it's influenced our lives.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Music of History, April 8, 2000

By 

Dr. K.J. Blalock (UTPA, Edinburg,Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of the World in Nine Guitars (Hardcover)

For the historian who identifies with the harmony and melody of the past, or any reader who loves a good story whose rhythm is as pleasing as a well-played combination of chords, this book will entertain and touch the soul. Erik Orsenna and Thierry Arnoult have composed a unique historical drama that looks at the past through the eyes of its guitarists. This read is for anyone who understands the words of one--"The guitar is our most powerful friend....On this earth there are three pairings that count: a man and a woman, a man and his horse, a man and his guitar...."