American Thunder

Rating:
Summary: Another winning country music bio from Jo Sgammato
Review: "American Thunder, the Garth Brooks Story," by New York Times bestselling author Jo Sgammato is an excellent music bio. It traces Garth's career from his early days before his record deals, to the release of his first album on April 12, 1989 up until today. The book is exciting as we go on tour, backstage and into the offices on Music Row in Music City, Nashville. Read the books and close your eyes as you "listen" to Garth's wonderful songs. The author is well versed on the topic having written four other country bios over the past few years. The major difference is that she was there for much of this and not only knows Garth but many of the people involved with him as well. Some years ago before this reviewer was into country music he was given two of Garth's CDs and a video. He was impressed with he video but not owning a CD player had to play them through his computer. He was hooked and still is. Garth is number one. The book is great. If you are music fan, a county music fan how can you not be a Garth fan. "American Thunder" should find a home on your music shelf along side Garth's CDs, cassettes and videos.

Rating:
Summary: Garth Brooks Story
Review: Have you ever wanted to know more about Garth Brooks, the country legend? If you have, then this is the book for you.The author shows that Garth loves people and loves performing for them. She includes interesting facts and finds justice to many rumors. As a person interested in music, I was pleased this biography told of how Garth started out as a music artist and of the trials and tribulations he had to go through. The author also included stories of ordinary people who have met Garth, and have witnessed what a great and caring person he is. She also wrote about the real life struggles of Garth and his wife, like each having to work two jobs to make ends meet.
Although I enjoyed the book, I thought the author could have included more feeling and drama into it. She also could have included less statistics about his albums.
After reading this, I have more understanding and admiration of Garth Brooks than I have ever had before.

Rating:
Summary: As a huge Garth Fan, it wasn't all that great.
Review: I must agree with the fellow reviewer who said that this book is for third graders... I will take it upon myself to add to that statement: It's for third graders, BY third graders. Nothing interesting in the book, a few interesting facts, and a few mistakes. (Which makes me question the interesting facts) Plus, on the paperback edition, there's an, ummm, ridiculous 8th chapter that pretty much leaves you feeling hopeless... An okay book for an emerging fan.

Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: i thought that this book was a great book. i've liked garth since i was in 2nd grade and now i'm a senior and i still like him just as much. some people thought this book was a bad book and said bad things about it but i disagree with them. i learned a lot of things from this book that i didn't know about him, so if you are wondering if you should buy this book i would say yes. i bought it the day it came out and i've read it many times since then.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and well-written
Review: If you want to know about Garth Brooks, this is the only book you will ever need to read. It's all here: his early life, his music, his rise to fame and fortune. The author's easy, flowing style makes him come alive. A pleasure to read.

Rating:
Summary: Very Highly Recommended
Review: Okay, I'll admit, I am a rabid Garth Brooks fan. So, you should know I had an eye on this book and was ready for any kind of bias either way on this story about one of country music's most revolutionary members.

Ms. Sgammato is a woman with connections into the industry, and her research is extensive and thorough. She pulls no punches, and puts the good in with the not so perfect to give a well-rounded picture of the man and the performer. This book goes a long way to dispel or confirm various myths about Garth Brooks. It gives a rare insight into the man who dared not only to follow a dream, but also to fight to maintain control of that dream in the face of fickle critics and those who might be jealous of his success.

She speaks of the hardships GB faced as an ordinary Midwestern guy trying to find himself, and his, as well as his wife's, struggle to build a career in a tough to get into industry. Then it outlines their struggle to handle the fame notoriety that came with phenomenal success.

Along with GB's story, there are various referrals to those in the history of the country music industry, as well as examples of the generosity of others, that inspire not only Garth Brooks, but many others as well.

Overall, this is a great story about a good man, who started out just like anyone else and worked to make his dreams come true. Inspiring.

Rating:
Summary: Written for third-graders!
Review: This has got to be the most boring, condescending biography I've ever read. Garth Brooks is a complicated man, but instead of doing the research to get inside his head, the author just trifles through the facts of his life. There is no emotion...nothing that draws the reader in and asks them to feel anything. And the writing style suggests that Garth Brooks fans are uneducated and illiterate. I'd give this book 0 stars if it was an option. Don't waste your money.