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Rating: 
Summary: Not Disappointed
Review: "Summer Means New Love" and this gets you in the right vibe. But the "disappointed" guy reviewing from Texas is a gremmie taking potshots. Some so-called Beach Boys fans have a chip on their shoulders. If anybody checks, you see the Wilson birthdates given in this book are right. Checking my copy on pg. 339, it doesn't say Dennis Wilson is the "youngest" Beach Boy, but the "California Calling" chapter says send suggestions for future editions, and that small bit was probably fixed. But why say Dennis Wilson isn't in this book, when Chapter 7, called "Gettin' Hungry" is all about him growing up and finding out about surfing? Brian sings, love and mercy is what we need. Amen.
Rating:
Summary: Super Enlightening
Review: I have read many a book on Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. But I found this title taken from 20/20s Bruce Johnston song of the same name, a bit rehashed from past works. We look at the generations of the Wilson klan from the turn of the century, and thier story. Thier story is one that's pretty. It's obvious that Brian Wilsons problems stem from the abusive character that was his grandfather;but is anybody really THAT interested? This book is meant for the hardcore fan, the fan who has paid-in-full dues to the Brian Wilson Appreciation Society. Musically it doesn't gain any ground. On historical standpoint, however, it does offer a glimpse of the family's personal side. And it is with this, that it becomes seemingly disparaging.
Rating: 
Summary: Ambitious but uneven
Review: If you're interested in the early 20th-century westward migration, and in the early 60's surf and car culture, the first half of this book will be useful to you. As a history of the band, however, it's spotty at best, especially post-1970: an enthusiastic track-by-track review of 1970's "Sunflower" album is followed, not by discussion of the "Carl & The Passions" and "Holland" albums (which it doesn't even mention) but a capsule history of the discovery of polyurethane skateboard wheels and the revival of that sport. If you really want to know what was on every page of a newspaper from Hutchison, Kansas, circa 1910, then you'll probably like this book. White does seem to love the band, at least. Seek out his "How Deep Is The Ocean?" for a more satisfying read.
Rating:
Summary: Too much information ?
Review: Not if you are a true Beach Boys fan. If you think you know it all, think again. This book is so chock full of information you will find yourself reading it 2 maybe 3 times. It begins with the Wilsons migrating to Cailfornia. Tells how they settled, found jobs, all the way up to the births of the Wilson sons along with Mike. Then it takes off without missing a beat. You will picture yourself being there from the very begining. You'll get a good sence of California as well as the group. You'll also end up hating Murray's father Buddy more than Murray. Kind of makes you almost feel sorry for Murray. The only minor dissapointment was White ( Rock veteran Timothy White of Rolling Stone Magazine ) didn't dabble in the Manson stuff. I know, I know probably with good reason, but it is interesting. Enjoy !
Rating:
Summary: Beach Boys as a Metaphor for California
Review: Tim White's book is just as much about the history of California as it is about the history of the Beach Boys. As a non-American citizen, it was a wonderful way to learn about how California "fits" into American culture and how the rise and success of the Beach Boys mirrors the history of that state. I appreciated the personal approach of the story; reading about the personalities of the entire Wilson family and how they each contributed to the personality of The Beach Boys as we know them. It was an engrossing book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: Not Disappointed
Review: Timothy White gives us a view of the Wilsons History and the climate of the So Cal music scene of the 50's thru the 60's, where everybody practically knew everyone. It also gives us an insider view of the events that happened to the Wilsons, Loves, Berrys, Torrances, as well as The Wrecking Crew(Campbell, Tedesco, Blaine, Russell, Kaye, and others.....), Spectors, and just about everyone you've ever heard of that made music in the 60's and 70's in So.Cal. Even though he glosses over most of the material that the 'Boys did during the 70's, it's the early work in the 60's that made this for good reading. The recording industry was covered in good detail, especially what happened with the promotion of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and anyone else that was popular during the period. He also went over a lot of history of other groups, that had ties to the SoCal industry. He did a great job overall, and I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the history of music in general, and especially on the 'Boys. Surf's Up, Dude!
Rating:
Summary: Wake the World
Review: Wow. I'm embarassed to say that I thought I knew about the Beach Boys before I read "The Nearest Faraway Place". I was wrong. The depth of vision and analysis is staggering and told through the elegantly unobtrusive Tim White style I have come to expect from the book "Catch a Fire" and his columns in Billboard. It is designed to give you a full picture of the Southern California experience, dating back to the earliest generations of the Wilson family, but,if you want to skip the early chapters, you can go straight to the meat of the Beach Boys' history. Unbelievable unedited transcripts of the dialogue during recording sessions and insightful deconstruction of the cross-pollinization of inspiration happening in the Sixties. Which Beach Boys' song inspired which Beatle song, with help from which Byrd song, etc.; and all culled with interviews from the actual players and composers. Great stuff!
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