Rating: 
Summary: BOOK SUCKS
Review: After being a big long time Rush fan, musician and a motorcyclist I bought the book. I quickly became disgusted with the book. Plenty of U.S.A. bashing makes it no hidden fact that Neil does not like this country. But I guess U.S. dollars are OK... The book basically is about how a rich guy dealt with the misery of unfortunate circumstances,,, "roll the bones".. It gets old and depressing really fast.. But I forged on and finished the book then threw it out.
Rating:
Summary: BOOK SUCKS
Review: After being a big long time Rush fan and a motorcyclist I bought the book. I quickly became disgusted with the book. Plenty of U.S.A. bashing makes it no hidden fact that Neil does not like this country. But I guess U.S. dollars are OK... The book basically is about how a rich guy dealt with the misery of unfortunate circumstances,,, "roll the bones".. It gets old and depressing really fast.. But I forged on and finished the book then threw it out.
Rating: 
Summary: An Insight Into the Healing Process
Review: "Ghost Rider" is among the most entertaining books I have ever read. I will admit my primary reason for buying this book was because it is written by my hero and idol, but I was amazed by Peart's brilliant writing. He is a gifted writer, offering excellent natural imagery of his travels as well as insight into his process on the healing road. The book begins by giving a brief history of his family life and tragedy, and then tells of his travels to Alaska, down to Central America, and back home to Canada. You will find this book to be very rewarding if you are looking for a very personal and detailed non-fiction of Neil Peart's travels and feelings.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a groupie, but enjoyable reading
Review: I'm not a Rush groupie and actually read this book on my huband's recommendation. Neil Peart earned my admiration for his intelligent mind and entertaining writing style. This would be a nice read for anyone who has a decent education as he does not write down to his readers as some do.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy but worth the read
Review: Many other reviewers make the point about this being a bit of a heavy read. I concur, although I found it powerful, engaging, and sobering. A far more upbeat and enjoyable is "Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba," a fascinating and sometimes hilarious, sometimes hair-raising story of a 7,000-mile journey and justifiably the winner of both the 2002 "Travel Book of the Year" and the North American Travel Journalist Association's Awards of Excellence "Grand Prize."
Rating: 
Summary: What an odd book.
Review: While I feel badly for Neil's tragic losses, the 'woe is me' tone of this book gets weary quick. This is compounded by Neil's diffident and disdainful attitude toward just about everything and everybody he encounters. I had to keep reminding myself that the author had lost his daughter and common-law wife within months of each other otherwise I couldn't feel much empathy for him. The writing style reminds of someone who loves the mechanics of writing but has difficulty with the soul of writing. Reading this book was an empty experience. I didn't feel like I shared or learned much of anything when I finished. When Neil does touch on an emotional issue, he tends to sum it up with "then I cried" and leave the reader to figure out the rest. Curiously, Neil claims "you give good, you get good" yet he spends much of his time fraternizing with his pen pal drug-dealer, regarding most people he meets with disgust and generally acting like a self-indulgent jerk. Maybe his karma isn't as pure as he imagines. Still, it could have been a decent read with some editorial help. A better introduction to Jackie and Selena, less love letters to Brutus and for god's sake, knock down the emotional walls before you sit down to write. Otherwise, why bother?
Rating: 
Summary: I must have had the wrong expectations
Review: Knowing that Neil Peart is insightful and so good with the written word, I was expecting a lot of tidbits and profound insights into life and how he was dealing with the tragic deaths of his daughter and wife. For many parts of this book, I did get that but quite frankly, the letters to Brutus and others - I could have done without. They were just babbling about what he did today and didn't bring much insight. Having been out of North America for ten years, I did appreciate the description of what it's like to live and travel in Canada again - I felt that the ending was a little abrupt - while he had alluded to getting back to himself, he didn't really go into that process. His introduction to Carrie was only in the last few pages from "hey I'm dating this woman" to "hey we're getting married in California" - wot?! I guess I may have had the wrong expectations for this book which is of no fault of the author. I was expecting to learn more about the thinking of an obviously brilliant lyricist and drummer...what I got was more random thoughts and a stream of consciousness
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional - especially if you've suffered sudden loss....
Review: Having grown up listening to Rush, I was curious to read this book. Knowing what had happened in Neils life, I bought it and put it on the shelf, thinking that I would read it "someday" whenever I had to deal with loss in my own life... Well, six months after that, I did...not the same kind of loss (not nearly as tragic), but loss nevertheless. Although my loss was different, it was sudden...and eventually I picked up "Ghost Rider." Neil has always come across as somewhat mysterious to me, but in this book he really puts his raw emotions out on the table for everyone to read. I enjoyed very much reading of his travels, but what he was able to articulate about what he was having to go though emotionally was something that I really connected with. In dealing with my own situation, it was a great comfort to read about somebody else who was also suffering the pain of loss. I could relate. This book helped me through some dark times. My only criticism of it would be.....his sense of humor. Throughout the book Neil includes letters that he wrote to a specific friend of his...those letters are filled with Neils unique sense of humor....which happens not to resonate with me. But his emotions did. I read this book at the right time in my own life. And I applaud Neil for so bravely exposing himself in such a bold way.
Rating:
Summary: ALL Rush fans should be REQUIRED to read this! ALL OF THEM!
Review: Trust me, if you're a Rush fan and you haven't bought and read this book, what the heck are you waiting for? This is the book that explains the story we all wanted to hear from Neil concerning the personal tragedies that kept him and Rush out of the spotlight for 5 years.
The book starts out with Neil explaining the night they found out Selena died, and goes on to explain the chain of events that led up to Jackie's death. You might just be shocked at what you read, and you'll be further surprised when you finally get to the end after reading Neil's odyssey across Canada to Alaska, down the west coasts of both Canada and the U.S, through Mexico, to Belize, then on his further journeys. If you want to know what he did from there, buy and read the book!
If you're a true Rush fan (like me) you NEED to read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Much a'do...that's how it is...that's how it's going to be.
Review: I have been tempted to put down some cash and reserve a little time to read this book. Having been a fan since 1976 it seemed like a way to find out more about 1 of 3 musicians making up the band called "Rush". The members of Rush have always been out of the public eye, as least from the view point of this American living just 90 minutes away from them. So as a result, we have had to come up with our own perceptions of what this trio is all about. These perceptions, however, have nothing to do with reality. This trio has never consider themselves rock stars, in the true since of what we feel that means. And have always put themselves out as musicians first and foremost, which is part of the attraction to some of us...myself included. Having said that, what is the point of reading this book? The lyrics and music represent what this band wants you to know...whether this is what we want is not the point...whether this is perception or reality is not the point. It would be nice to learn more...but with that comes risks. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up listening to their CDs and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - only to discover that you will NEVER know how deep the rabbit-hole goes anyway...because...that's how it is...that's how it's going to be. Life is about love...and loss...I only wish that I could take off as Neil did to contemplate my existance the last 2 years. Oh, to be allowed just one chance to re-shuffle the deck!!!
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