Rating: 
Summary: You cannot be "born" gothic...
Review: ..because goth is a CULTURE (or subculture, if you prefer), not a genetic condition. Cultures arise from _learned_ behaviour..toolgirl69's assertion that "true" goths are somehow magically born that way is pretentious, childish, and just plain silly. Self-professed arbiters of gothic culture with snobbish notions of who can and who cannot be gothic, with their self-serving delusions of spooky grandeur, are a _main_ reason why goths are looked down upon and ridiculed by society at large. Grow up, toolgirl...and stop making the rest of us look bad.
Rating: 
Summary: I agree with Evildeadone.
Review: Although I've not yet read the book it has had good reviews from many stylistically different sources, all with their own generic bias, and such universal approval normally means that you'll find more than enough overall to derive great satisfaction from it. If you're going to review books here you should do just that, rather than simply expressing general opinions.
Rating: 
Summary: No Middle Ground
Review: Books, cd's, movies, clothing, make-up...societal residue. You can't teach someone to be a TRUE goth, no more than you can turn a straight person [to an alternative life style]. Some of us were born gothic, and others have goth potential that just comes later. But attempting to look goth on the outside isn't as nearly as important as being goth inside, right down to your little black heart. Not all goths are easily spotted...we don't all dress in black constantly...we don't all hang out in graveyards and love Lestat. A lot of us who are gothic in mind, heart, and soul are the backbone of the goth culture, and don't find it necessary to exploit such a wonderful, dark aspect by selling out for profit and societal gratification, as is widely (and sadly) embraced in today's world.
Rating: 
Summary: Fairytales Of Slavery...
Review: Finally somebody who actually knows what he's talking about. GB obviously walks the walk, and his passion for the subject has enabled him to write a virtually flawless meisterwerk, which should become the standard Goth reference book. This is a first class piece of research, and while I am primarily interested in the musical side of Goth, it was also fascinating to read Gavin's insights into Gothic influences in art, theatre and film. This is so comprehensive that few people should be able to say, "Oi, you forgot to mention..." The Hunger? It's in here. Bauhaus? Yep, a no-brainer. Gavin encompasses even fringe bands and artists, such as camp Cabaret-style vamps such as Marc Almond, punkish Adam Ant (pre and post transition to the Dandy Highwayman) and The Cure, who in my opinion mainly qualify because of Robert's time with Siouxsie. At the other end of Fringe, GB also includes Black Metal/Goth band Cradle Of Filth, whose Her Ghost In The Fog video is a must-see. This modern Goth/Pop Culture classic mentions literally all of my favourite bands, ranging from Bauhaus and Type O Negative, to more melodic Goth acts such as The Mission (UK), Switchblade Symphony (you HAVE to hear Serpentine Gallery), the impossibly beautiful Katharine Blake's Miranda Sex Garden and The Shroud. This masterpiece is also packed with excellent photographs, many of which I have never seen before. I simply cannot fault it.
Rating:
Summary: A good overview of the history of the subculture
Review: First off, this is not a primer on how to be goth- it's a description of what goth is and how it got to be that way.
I would recommend this book strongly to goths who want to know more about the origins and history of their subculture, and to discover some cinematic, musical, and literary treasures that they may not have encountered before. It could also be useful to an outsider who is curious about the subculture. It doesn't try to prettify things, or pull any punches, but it is also refreshingly free of sensationalism or demonization. The result is a reasonably unbiased picture.
This book contains a lot of fascinating information about the origins of the goth aesthetic, it's relationship to punk, literary sources, ties to the fetish scene, etc. It also contains profiles of some important bands and literary figures.
However, not too much time is spent on any one profile/overview- if you want in depth, detailed information, look elsewhere. It's better for figuring out what you want to research or go find for yourself. It also doesn't get much into the psychology or sociology of goth culture. This is a fairly light non-academic read. It also contains a number of black and white photos, some of which are very nice eye candy.
Rating:
Summary: A guide to *almost* everything dark...
Review: I bought this book as a present for my brother, althought I kept it for quite some time to read it. There were bands I didn't know of, things that happened before I was born I found intriguing. If you are going to read or preview this book in a store, please read it with an open mind. There are far too many people (cough*ahem Toolgirl*cough)who mislead themselves into thinking this book is a "guide to being goth," when simply it informs people who do not understand the subculture. Too many people think that the gothic persona is composed of people who worship satan, are rude and inconsiderate of others, nose-in-the-air, dirty and smelly types, but this book informs the reader that it is okay for one to stumble upon this class of people. However, it is NOT okay for someone to come on a review board to express a general stereotypical nonetheless elitist attitude in trying to define "goth."
Rating:
Summary: "I am not a goth"
Review: I found this book to be highly educational on the origins of the term gothic and the sources of inspiration for today's goth culture. The author explores the early influences of horror and fetish as topics in gothic literature, film and music. To grasp the term gothic you have to accept that it encompasses a wide variety of influences and interests. Baddeley approachs his subject with an open mind and rarely leads the reader astray. I found it ammusing and enlightening that so many writers and musicians interviewed in this book who are labeled gothic reject the label; bad news for them, the instinct of the genuine goth is rejection of labels, especially as a goth. My experience is that anyone who calls themself a goth, is not. The essence of goth is to be an outcast, a loner, an individualist and the last thing such a person is going to do is identify themselves with a group. I found the most interesting parts of this book had to do with early horror films, most of this was material I was unfamiliar with. The weakest part of the book is due to the fact that popular taste in goth music changes so often that there is little mention of the musicians who currently dominate clubs.
Rating:
Summary: help
Review: I hate to make this a message board, but would someone please remove tool girls disgustingly childish remark. I cannot believe she wrote such a laughable review. Please, next time review the book, and do not use this as a place for your political opinions. Ick....
Rating:
Summary: help
Review: I hate to make this a message board, but would someone please remove tool girls disgustingly childish remark. I cannot believe she wrote such a laughable review. Please, next time review the book, and do not use this as a place for your political opinions. Ick....
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Summary: A mysterious guide to mysterious music*
Review: I love this book!!! I loved the part about Robert Smith and the photo of Mr and Mrs Fiend and most of all do I love the part about Edward Scissorhands!! This book is great, and Gavin Baddenly writed "thanks to Lydia from The Shroud" I like the Shroud and I was surprised to see that most of my favorite movies and music appeared in this book...Even Diva Destruction (and I thought they were quite new) So anyone who likes Gothic music and movies: BUY THIS BOOK, IT'S GREAT! And it gives much information about the history of the music, too! * Heh, I couldn't think of a better title
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