Customer Reviews

Stories Done: Writings on the 1960s and Its Discontents

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You might think everything has already been said about such tired topics as the '60s and its biggest stars, such as the Beatles, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. However, Gilmore manages to synthesize the known record into refreshing new essays on each of his subjects that put all into a new perspective. In some cases, he closes the book on such topics as Jerry Garcia and George Harrison. These are recent writings and the voice is well worth reading.

This is truly a fun read. Most of the essays are superb. I learned something in almost evry bio. Especially moving are the write-ups on Johnny Cash and Jerry Garcia. I found it interesting that Merle Haggard was a convict in San Quentin when Cash first played there. Haggrad said Cash's visit was the first ray of sunlight there in quite some time. Gilmore does not make angels or heroes of any of the subjects. And Gary Gilmore is only mentioned in the Cash story.

I think anyone who was a bit of a rebel in the 60s and 70s, like I was, will find this a fascinating read.

Mikal Gilmore's essays are tender and perceptive, always giving the talent of his subjects proper respect, while not glossing over their human aspects. These writings are solid and gentle simultaneously.

Mikal Gilmore, who many might know as a longtime writer for Rolling Stone, has a gift with words. In this book, he brings us a collection of stories from figures that were central to the counterculture of the 1960s. Gimore does this without extravagance or excess flare. He doesn't attempt to make these people heroes or to build them up unnecessarily. He simply tells their stories and, in the process, teaches us about the era that influenced so much of our lives today.