Rating: 
Summary: A great work from a grieving soul...
Review: I feel sad and embarrased for the people who read this book with the feeling that Neil Peart owes them something. Too bad for you if you think he needs to justify the fact that you bought all of Rush's albums. You bought them because they were great! And whether you consider his tragedy or not, this is a great book! Not only does Neil Peart deserve thanks for sharing his most private story with us, he also deserves credit for doing it so beautifully. This should be the first book people who face the loss of any loved one reads first.
Rating:
Summary: Ghost rider not just for motorcyclists
Review: I greatly enjoyed ghost rider. as an avid sport touring rider of many years(since 66 with my new triump bonnie and runs to death valley with sleeping bag straped on)i could feel the cold as Neil descibed it. His desciptions of the healing state of mind while riding long distances on desert roads can be appreciated having been there. Its a feeling of freedom and release that cant be matched.But the book is much more. as Neil coped with his grief i felt connected as if i wanted to help him thur it.And when i finished it I still pick the book up as if connecting again with a fellow rider.
Rating: 
Summary: Mostly mediocre
Review: I'll begin with the obligatory statement about the tragedy that befell Mr. Peart with the passing of his 'wife' and daughter. And it was a terrible tragedy, nothing like this should ever curse anyone's life, however it does, and it will again.
My RUSH fan credentials are equal to most who have written here, I am a fan going back to 1980. I have seen them in concert several times, and yes Mr. Peart I did notice when you gave a lousy show (Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island TFE tour) you guys really phoned it in that night. I make mention of that show because on page 120 of this book Mr. Peart states that no one in the audience would notice if RUSH ever put on a bad show. It was here, at this point in the book, where I stopped and thought to myself, " this guy doesn't give a (expletive deleted) about the readers." This is narcissistic pabulum, published to pay the bills.
As most other reviewers note: Part 1: Nice travelogue Part 2: Filler; mostly letters to his friend the drug dealer doing time. Make sure to wear eye protection near the end of the book, a lot loose-ends flying together.
In sum, Mr. Peart disdains those who provide him sustenance, those who buy his works; I don't look for a friend in the musicians I listen too, and he is not obligated to be my buddy. But I must say I am put off by this attitude, he lost a fan in me.
All people have frailties and shortcomings, but being an inconsiderate jerk is a conscience decision, read the book if you like, there are some nice passages, but refrain from sycophantic praise of a mostly mediocre work.
Rating:
Summary: Introspection in a travalogue wrapper - good stuff
Review: Admittedly, as a fan of Rush, I picked this book up simply because it was written by Peart, but as a literary snob myself, there was no way I could read it with the attitude that the author could do no wrong.I was impressed. Though 'Ghost Rider' only can only marginally be called a travelogue or a self-help publication, as a source of inspiration - particularly for anyone who has dealt with grief on such a strenuous level - it's invaluable. The book was revealing, particularly in the universal ways of human frailty. Facing the loss of his family, nothing - not money, not drugs, not even friends or family - seemed to offer the comfort Peart needed to heal. What he had, however, was the means and the wherewithal to escape from all the places where memory hangs so low to the ground. As an author and lyricist, I find Peart to be brutally intellectual, a trait that, more often than not, reveals the struggling emotional child within. Here, in 'Ghost Rider,' that child comes to the surface as he goes through the phases of grief while pandering to that "little baby soul," running away to avoid memories and feeling anger for those who left him behind. Too often, when a spouse dies, the widow paints a picture of a saint and martyr. Not so here. Peart clearly addresses the fact that his relationship was strained from time to time - right up to his partners demise. We're left with an impression that this account is so indellibly REAL. While one can easily look upon this publication as the selfish ranting of a man too narcissistic for his own good, I challenge anyone to give an example in their own lives of a time of crisis wherein they weren't self-absorbed. That's the beauty of this book. It takes these varied thoughts of pain and frustration and presents them honestly. All the while, Peart takes keen notice of the delicacy of life - not just his own, but of the world around him. His facsination with birdwatching, in particular, represents a detached longing to observe a life just out of his reach. His contempt for Americans stung a bit, but, admittedly, I understand his feeling. American tourists are often every bit as culturally deprived as Peart is snobbish. The mechanical nature with which the book is fashioned - glimpses of letters to a friend in prison, pieces of journals mixed with weather reports and observations on flora and fauna - gave one the true sense of travel. The bike breaks down. Rain impedes the journey. The author meets people. And as this man struggling with loss sees clearly, life goes on - even without him. I was surprised at the wonderful ending, a complete whiplash effect I hadn't forseen in any way, as abrupt as it was hopeful and sweet. I highly reccommend this book, especially for anyone dealing with a troubled time in life. I walked away from this book with the notion that as Peart found therapy in travel, so may each of us find that there is merit in these diversions we allow ourselves. Especially when they give us time to think.
Rating: 
Summary: Thanks for sharing...
Review: I ejoyed this book. I have to admit I am a fan. I admire Mr Peart and this is the second book of his I've read. I enjoyed the first one also. This being said, I have reservations about recommending this book widely. I am generally speaking not a big fan of travel logs. A twist of fate made me like this one so much more than usual. As I was doing some of my own travelling on my own healing road, Mr Peart was describing driving through the same part of Quebec I was staying in (and drinking the same Scotch). That being said, I have to say, I echo some of the criticism of the book from other Amazon reviewers. I had the same feeling of a hurried ending. When Mr Peart described his travels in Masked Rider (another novel) I felt at first that there was little information for Rush fans. After reading further, I grew to like that and like the novel for what it was. In this book, I got all the Rush information I wanted and much more. That had it's appeal. I did want to know more of how he dealt with his tragedy and his pain, I was let down when he simply cut the book off at the end. No details of the happy part. Although I can understand why, I felt like I had missed an important lesson. As regards Mr Pearts un-graceful stardom, I cannot blame him. The weight of such a thing when you can barely continue living must be hellish. Do I slight him for it, no. It was him at that point, and certainly gave me a glimpse of what it must be like to be famous. Although the ending was a tad short, the books shows how one person can get through what seems like an impossible task. The fact that Mr Peart had resources beyond what most people have while dealing with the pain simply makes for more interesting reading.
Rating:
Summary: Bravado in the Face of Loss
Review: For those who admire Neil Peart for his inspirational and thought provoking lyrics and his flawless and amazing back beat, Ghost Rider is truly a glimpse of what's beyond a "celebrity's "veneer. One finds themselves deeply moved by Neil's tragedies and his fortitude to try to come to terms with the lose of his daughter Selena and his wife Jackie, who passed way within one year of one another. Within the four hundred pages or so of Ghost Rider one finds a personal journal of one man's "therapeutic" journey across North America with his personal observation documented with a freewheeling candor, anger and frustration about the world and his own mental situation. Some of these observation might make the reader pause in mild shock when learning of Neil's views on people (sometimes stops himself), especially Americans and their crass commercialism, and even more shocking about his touring career with Rush. Where he explains to the reader he rather play the first three nights of a tour and then it becomes a grueling, non-eventful self-testing grind he rather be "anywhere but here" attitude. Though the latter seems to be more disturbing because without Neil's fame through his career in Rush (he seems not to appreciate or embrace) their would probably be no "Ghost Rider" and "no healing journey" to this extent because most likely no audience for him to write to. Then again with his immense talent he could still write this book under the name " John Elwood Taylor"(his alias on the healing road) but it would probably wouldn't be as interesting and extensive. He most likely would not have the resources to take a two-year journey through North America. Neil's loss was a great tragedy and one cannot make light of it by any means but through the pages of this fine book Neil seems to forget their are many other people in the world who have to live their lives with horrific tradgies every day. They do not get the chance to go on a long soul searching journey to make sense of it all. This even happens to Americans even ones in Las Vegas (which could be their escape), who (Americans) happen to be Rush's largest audencince. It's the old adage no fans, no concerts, no fame, no exotic lifestyle, and eventually no money. Overall Ghost Rider is a good account of one man's journey through the dark days of his life but at times the book trends to be overwrought and repetitive though well written. It's good to see that Neil has made his journey full circle and he seems to be once again in the land of the living. Even more one sees an artist practicing what he has been preaching for many years.
Rating:
Summary: Neil Peart
Review: I like Neil Peart because when he grew his mustache he looked like Tom Selleck with long hair, and how cool is to see somebody like Tom Selleck with long hair playing drums the way he does. And for those of you who really don't like the writing in his book, try reading something else more edifying like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
Rating:
Summary: Neil Peart
Review: I like Neil Peart because when he grew his mustache, he looked like Tom Selleck with long hair, and how cool is to see a guy like Tom Selleck with mustache and long hair playing drums the way he does.
Rating: 
Summary: Only one copy should have been published, for Peart.
Review: I gotta say, I'm a big fan of Rush music and lyrics, but about a third of the way into this book...... it was like hearing a big balloon deflate. PLththththththth! With all the time and lack of responsibility Peart has that your average forty-something year old North American male will never know, it became very hard for me to keep latched to this book. Riding around, scoffing at the very people who made that journey possible. Doesn't sound like healing to me.
.......And then came the letters..... One objective reviewer put it best. Filler. Just takin' up space in th' book. I felt as though I was reading a Dennis Miller dialogue with inside jokes and references that I, or nobody else know about.
I guess I picked up this book because I assumed Pearts song writing ability would transfer into a good long read with the power and emotion I've felt from his songs. But it left me wondering who this book was written for and why? Disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Stick to writing songs.
Review: OK. I just finished this book and I am thoroughly convinced that the only reason this book is on the shelves is so Peart can offset his large bills for hotels, food, gas, smokes, motorcycle parts, and "The Macallan." I wonder if he even tried to write off all these bills claiming it was "research" for this book? Stick to writing songs, Babe! (.... and I do have all your albums. Ach.) You say more in a five minute song than this book ever will.
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