Rating: 
Summary: Informative but poorly written
Review: "Visions" is the only official biography of Rush, but it reads more like "My Adventures With Rush" than it does a serious biography. The information is clouded in writing that resembles that of a lucky fan more than a journalistic effort. The author is also known to write inflammatory comments to and about anyone who disagrees with his views, making it impossible for me to recommend this book. If you feel you must read it, you might be better off borrowing a copy of it.
Rating: 
Summary: "have faith in the goodness of humanity..."
Review: A a long-time Rush fan, I respect the fact that everyone has a right to their own opinion. I will say, however, that in a time when there is such a tabloid mentality when it comes to books or articles on bands(especially one of this caliber!), it is a nice change to every once in a good while find a book such as this. I can't speak much on proper grammar, syntax and the like, but I found it to be very informative and interesting to read. I didn't know what Alex and Geddy's real names were until I saw this book! Another nice thing about it is the great collection of photographs, many of which are from the band's own personal scrapbook. I grew so tired of reading magazines in the 80's that could only focus on someone's physical appearance or how strange they sounded. It seemed as though no one had anything decent or positive to say about a group or artist. Rush should be respected and admired for their longevity and integrity. There certainly aren't too many groups around these days that you can say that about. I will admit I envy Bill as far as the opportunities he's had to see this band and actually meet them and become friends with them. I've been going to their shows since 1981 and would give anything to be able to talk to them. They have been a major influence on me as a musician for a long time. I'd like to see more books like this.
Rating:
Summary: Personal anecdotes do not a bio make
Review: A biography is one thing. Visions is something different. Slightly informative and obnoxiously written, Visions is much less a biography than it is a datebook of tours and backstage events the author has been to. Chalk this one up with the "I'm With the Band" groupie crowd and read the liner notes of Rush albums. If you want information on the band, that's one of the best places to go. Virtually anything is better than this work from a man who apparently considers himself quite important.
Rating:
Summary: This is it?
Review: After lengthy searching, I finally came across this "official" biography of one of the finest bands of all time, Rush. I read the acknowledgements and about half of the first chapter before putting the book down in disgust. The writing is less than poor, and the information is, in large part, relatively well-known. Overall, I would expect much better writing about a band known for their perfectionism.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Observation
Review: After reading more than 20 reviews, and finding that most of them considered this book to be absolutely worthless, I found the (chronologically) first review listed to be very interesting. I can't really make a reference to it, since the writer of the review chose to remain completely anonymous. But after reading POSITIVE reviews which still made a point to mention the B-man's total lack of grammatical ability, I couldn't help but think that the B-man himself must have written that first review. To rave on about the quality of the writing, when so much of the book is little more than poorly paraphrased Peart lyrics, mixed with 3rd grade level English, is rather incredible. I have not read this book in over 10 years, but I can still remember that as I read through it, I became embarrassed for the members of my favorite band. If that book had been written about me or my band, I'd be embarrassed! What a stinker! Interestingly, I have very little word-for-word recollection of any of the book's passages. My memory is good, but not that good. I tend to not WANT to remember such drivel. However, I DO remember the sentiment I felt while reading this book: "This B-man character is a self-important putz." Several years earlier, I read something else (I don't remember all the details) written by B-man. It was around the time GUP was released. I believe that the B-man had been given the opportunity to hear some of the GUP tunes before the final mix. I remember reading his account of his experience. I was amazed. I was so happy for this guy, and thought he was the luckiest guy in the world. It was 1984, I was only 15, and rather naive. Yet, not out of envy, but through some other innate sense, I got the impression that this guy was a putz then, too. Reading this book 5 years later confirmed it. Today, reading about his desperate attempts to maintain a spotlight on himself by starting flame wars on the Rush list UNDERSCORES it. I really do believe that the B-man wrote that first review. Who else would give him credit for such excellent writing skills? P.S. To all of you Canadians out there - please don't let the B-man's horrible grammar and lack of originality create the impression that people in the US are illiterate and uncreative. It's just that in this country, the cream is very often the LAST thing to rise to the top - or to write a book, for that matter! P.P.S What does the B-man do for a living, now that his one and only book is out of print? Does this guy work?
Rating:
Summary: VISIONS: A RARE GLIMPSE AT RUSH
Review: Amazingly informative and entertaining reading with many
interviews, behind the scenes stories and photos from Dirk,
Pratt and Lerxt's personal collections. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY
FAN!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Nice pictures.
Review: Being a rush fan, I was delighted at first to finalay see a biography. I skimmed the book, and thought, "Wow, nice pictures, many of which I've never seen," and bought it right then and there.I took it home and started to read. Foo-wee! What a stinkbomb! Banasiewicz may be "Rush's #1 Fan", but he is sorely in need of an editor. His text, while somewhat informative, is littered with sytactical errors and narrative redundancies. His fan's-eye-view anecdotes reveal nothing insightful about his subjects and make him seem like a colossal pain who the members of Rush tolerate because they seem to be basically nice people. Many interesting questions never get asked. All of the members of Rush are high-school dropouts, which makes the fact that they are articulate, well-spoken and more educated than many people with college degrees all the more remarkable. Yet Banasiewicz never does more than give it a nod. This could have been the backbone for a really inspiring book, how three high-school dropouts not only became rich and famous, but how they still continued to grow, explore and learn.The salient musical aspects of the band are also ignored. Constant mention is made of how great Rush is, but exactly what makes them special is given short shrift. Each of these talented players, and what makes them unique is worth at least one magazine article each, probaly more. A whole chapter could be devoted to the evolution of alex Lifeson's ever-changing guitar style. Yet another could be given over to Neil Peart's growing lyrical perspective, as well as his percussive concepts.In the end, bad writing, lack of research, and the severe lack of anything new or interesting to say about these three remarkable men does this book in. If you buy it, cut out the pictures, and use the rest for bird-cage lining.
Rating:
Summary: Nice pictures.
Review: Being a rush fan, I was delighted at first to finalay see a biography. I skimmed the book, and thought, "Wow, nice pictures, many of which I've never seen," and bought it right then and there.I took it home and started to read. Foo-wee! What a stinkbomb! Banasiewicz may be "Rush's #1 Fan", but he is sorely in need of an editor. His text, while somewhat informative, is littered with sytactical errors and narrative redundancies. His fan's-eye-view anecdotes reveal nothing insightful about his subjects and make him seem like a colossal pain who the members of Rush tolerate because they seem to be basically nice people. Many interesting questions never get asked. All of the members of Rush are high-school dropouts, which makes the fact that they are articulate, well-spoken and more educated than many people with college degrees all the more remarkable. Yet Banasiewicz never does more than give it a nod. This could have been the backbone for a really inspiring book, how three high-school dropouts not only became rich and famous, but how they still continued to grow, explore and learn.The salient musical aspects of the band are also ignored. Constant mention is made of how great Rush is, but exactly what makes them special is given short shrift. Each of these talented players, and what makes them unique is worth at least one magazine article each, probaly more. A whole chapter could be devoted to the evolution of alex Lifeson's ever-changing guitar style. Yet another could be given over to Neil Peart's growing lyrical perspective, as well as his percussive concepts.In the end, bad writing, lack of research, and the severe lack of anything new or interesting to say about these three remarkable men does this book in. If you buy it, cut out the pictures, and use the rest for bird-cage lining.
Rating:
Summary: BBB Man?
Review: Bill Banasiewicz may have researched the band and done his homework. Ask any veterans of the largest Rush mailing list, and they'll tell you that he does not follow the band's principals. He posts personal flames to the list incite arguments, and just generally is annoying. Don't support this man, for he cares nothing about you in any way. And tell him how much you love Boston - the band, not the city. If you must, borrow the book, read it and return it. Or buy it used, but don't let him collect royalties.
Rating:
Summary: Excrement of the most odorous type
Review: Consider the following passage:"Later that afternoon, during soundcheck, Geddy walked up to his mike and said, "Well, hello! It's good to see you again, and what can we play for you today?" I began to look around to see who Geddy was talking to, but there was nobody else in the amphitheatre. Then suddenly the band wheeled into 'Cygnus X-1'. The air was swallowed by the music's fearsome force. The sound and fury of 'Cygnus' live drowned my heart.The impromptu version ended as the road crew began covering Neil with large curtains while he was still playing. He uses the song's lyrics [Cygnus X-1] to describe the event of the band playing the song. Is that not the typical sleaze we have come to expect from Americans? While I am not a fan of book-burning, I do believe that this book might bring back the practise.
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