Customer Reviews

Skeleton Key

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Being one of the book's authors, I can hardly claim a detached perspective (grin), but I did want to say a few words about Skeleton Key so amazon.com readers could get a clearer picture of the book.

Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads is the first in-depth map of the Deadhead subculture, the global community of folks who love the music of the Dead and the experience of Dead shows, and build community with others who feel the same way.

I am very grateful that my co-author and I got to record so much of the humor, lore, depth, and passion of our community before the Grateful Dead ceased to exist. In writing this book, we interviewed hundreds of Heads - at shows and online - and we tried to undo a lot of the shallow stereotyping of Deadheads promulgated by lazy journalists by depicting as broad a spectrum of Heads as possible.

You're welcome to read excerpts from Skeleton Key by following the link from my home page at http://www.levity.com/digaland/

Take care!

This book is a labor of love from a person who has been immersed in the cultural phenomena known as he "Grateful Dead".

Any person who has attended Grateful Dead "shows" will find that this book tremendously enriches the memories and experiences.

I've had this book since 1995 and my copy is about worn through! I've read it dozens of times from cover-to-cover and still find new and interesting things. Great book for anyone interested in the scene and/or the music!

Hey everybody!i have just finished this book! it's awesome! it really takes me back to the tours of the day! If you want to be taken back too, then take a copy of this book home with you today! i guarantee you won't regret it!

The year I moved from England to live in the United States was a momentus year in which Jerry Garcia died and the Dead were to be no more. In a strange twist of fate I was able to see one show over here, in Giant's Stadium, so that I could at least claim to have seen shows on both sides of the Atlantic.

It was that experience at the stadium which was my raison d'etre for buying this book, the Dictionary for Deadheads as the differences between here and in Britain were very different.

There is a saying, "there's nothing like a Gratful Dead concert" which is mystifying for a number of reasons to those of us from Britain and Europe. The saying is much more expansive however, than refering to the actual music and performance or even to the state of the audience and their, ahem, participation. For example, seeing non-ticket holders outside waving a finger in a circle for no apparent reason to name just one.

I reread this book on a recent vacation to San Francisco in the run up to the 40th anniversary of the "Summer of Love" and much of my memories of that single show came flooding back. It is a comprehensive tome which provides a considerable insight of the practical applications of being a member of the Deadhead community (I had answered the call when the double live album initially came out in 1971 and still have thenewsletters today) in the American heartlands. It is an insider's book with their attendant nods and winks which could act as a guide for those who are still getting on the bus today or even to their children and their children's children for whom the past is now no more than a part of a sociology textbook.

Skeleton Key is a book of considerable charm and though it's usefulness as a guide in 2007 is considerably diminished it contains throughout a joy of composition which can only have come from the love and care of true Deadheads who compiled it. It is a little treasure trove to be buried in the attics of your life to be dug up and enjoyed again many times down the line.

A brilliantly written book for anyone who has ever loved their music and their vibe.