Rating: 
Summary: Not Disappointed
Review: "Summer Means New Love" and this gets you in the right vibe. But the "disappointed" guy reviewing from Texas is a gremmie taking potshots. Some so-called Beach Boys fans have a chip on their shoulders. If anybody checks, you see the Wilson birthdates given in this book are right. Checking my copy on pg. 339, it doesn't say Dennis Wilson is the "youngest" Beach Boy, but the "California Calling" chapter says send suggestions for future editions, and that small bit was probably fixed. But why say Dennis Wilson isn't in this book, when Chapter 7, called "Gettin' Hungry" is all about him growing up and finding out about surfing? Brian sings, love and mercy is what we need. Amen.
Rating:
Summary: Not Disappointed
Review: "Summer Means New Love" and this gets you in the right vibe. But the "disappointed" guy reviewing from Texas is a gremmie taking potshots. Some so-called Beach Boys fans have a chip on their shoulders. If anybody checks, you see the Wilson birthdates given in this book are right. Checking my copy on pg. 339, it doesn't say Dennis Wilson is the "youngest" Beach Boy, but the "California Calling" chapter says send suggestions for future editions, and that small bit was probably fixed. But why say Dennis Wilson isn't in this book, when Chapter 7, called "Gettin' Hungry" is all about him growing up and finding out about surfing? Brian sings, love and mercy is what we need. Amen.
Rating: 
Summary: Global Praise For "The Nearest Faraway Place"
Review: ***** (Five stars: highest rating) "The best book so far on the Beach Boys: White not only illuminates their achievements, he takes the pulse of the American Dream as it applied in the crucial postwar years. Oh, that all rock books aspired to the scope, depth and sheer vision of this masterly overview of the whole West Coast milieu/ethos." -- Q Magazine (U.K.)"The finest reading for the sunny season. Timothy White's exhaustive 'The Nearest Faraway Place' focuses on the history of the California myth, of which Wilson & Co. were simply the latest and most eloquent publicists. He fills in the gaps in our comprehension of the Beach Boys, the better to gauge the musical and social climate of the times." -- MOJO Magazine (U.K.) "White describes the clan's origins in drab Hutchinson, Kansas with a Steinbeckian feel for Dust Bowl lives. His Wilsons are the Joads of the saga, the perfect vehicle for White's persuasive vision of an American microcosm. It's his little truth coup." -- ROLLING STONE. "Brian, the Beach Boy who brought us all that fun, fun, fun, spent a lot of time in misery, but he was talented enough to transform our music--and lucky enough to have this fine biographer." -- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Rating:
Summary: Took Me Far
Review: A fellow commuter was reading this book and his recommendation was appreciated. The story was a genial entry into summer. It has a musical biography and a regional almanac joined as one. Now I seem to hear the Beach Boys music everywhere, or at any rate I notice it more. This would certainly be an ideal companion at the beach itself.
Rating:
Summary: Next Edition of the Book
Review: A new, updated of "The Nearest Faraway Place" is currently being prepared. I thank all those who've commented on the book, pro and con, over the last seven years. While the text in its many U.S. and international editions had many perceived strengths, I know it also had weaknesses early-on, among them several careless/imprecise instances of phraseology that were amended for later editions. Authors must humbly accept that all books remain works in progress--which is why I've always encouraged readers to write to me c/o the publishers with ideas and suggestions. I know I'll do all I can to make the next edition the best yet. Many thanks for your interest, and God bless Brian Wilson and family.
Rating:
Summary: Beach Boys As Human Beings
Review: Amazing: a serious book for adults on the Beach Boys and the place they sang about that treats them like human beings who made fine music. But why did it take so long?
Rating:
Summary: California Calling
Review: As a transplanted Californian, this book made me homesick for the state and the music that made it world famous. I loved the music and the tales of the record biz but the cultural vision and background gave the overall text the qualities of a time machine. Loved the trip!
Rating:
Summary: Make "Pet Sounds," Not "Doom Videogames
Review: Beachmoms respect the Beach Boys too. Brian was very honest with the author, as were the other Wilsons, and it brought a wider lesson to this story. To see greatgrandparents lord it over grandsons and on and on down the line is disconcerting. You see Brian grow up with fear, as he is abused in toddlerhood, suffers bedwetting, anxiety and more is terrible. And then he's made to feel ashamed of his angelic voice! The scene that can't be overlooked is the one where he tells his own mother he never had the courage to give his girlfriend the engagement ring he bought her. Brian was afraid love at that level didn't get returned. The scene in which Mike Love's mother puts him out of the house, throewing his clothes at him, was also important. This is our problem as a society and as parents. Can we teach our children, by our example, to love and return love? And not to break faith with love? We need to give back to Brian and all the other Brian's who only want to offer their loving side. It's time to start.
Rating: 
Summary: confusing info. on the beach boys
Review: i am a realy big fan of the beach boys but did not find this book to "flowing" or exciting. It does have some interesting informatin but was a book that I had trouble following.
Rating:
Summary: Good Source Of Origins
Review: I got turned on to this book by friends after I had some issues with the AMERICAN FAMILY Beach Boys TV mini-series, like how did Murry get so angry, and how did his son Brian become such a delicate case? This book addresses those issues by going back to the very beginning of the family history and relating the origins of everything. Therefore, when the songs later get written, you've already experienced the origins of them. This book reminded me more of recent popular history books like NO ORDINARY TIME, but that's not a criticism. And it could have been titled BEACH BOYS: THE REAL ORIGINS, but what's most important is that it's very satisfying to read.
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