Garcia : An American Life

Garcia : An American Life
by Blair Jackson

List Price: ~~$20.00~~
Our Price: $10.10
You Save: $9.90 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.58 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Compare Prices for Garcia : An American Life

Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Blair Jackson
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-08
ISBN: 0140291997
Number of pages: 560
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)

Book Reviews of Garcia : An American Life

Book Review: The Legendary Life of Jerry Garcia
Summary: 5 Stars

This biography of Jerry Garcia, called Garcia: An American Life, by Blair Jackson, is a great accountment of Jerry Garcia's life and death. His life mainly took place in California in the 60's and 70's and on tour with the Grateful Dead (and his various other bands) until 1995. The Grateful Dead with Jerry as lead guitarist, made Garcia legendary along with the band. The Dead's following in the hippie era, led to many problems and addictions, ones that cost him his life. Jerry received his first electric guitar for his birthday at the age of 13. This was the same year that he was also introduced to pot. He felt that drugs was a way to "leave all his troubles behind." Soon after Jerry turned 16, he ran away from home and moved to Palo Alto, which is just south of San Francisco (where he grew up). Apparently Jerry was unhappy with his life and Jerry seemed to only express himself through his music. Later on, Jerry got into bluegrass music and bought a banjo. Although Jerry soon realized that bluegrass wouldn't get him anywhere, so he turned back to the electric and acoustic guitar and formed a band, the Grateful Dead. With the Dead, Jerry began using phsycidellics such as LSD, shrooms, and other acids. With "no troubles" and the ability to express himself, Jerry's life went easy. The author, Blair Jackson, informed, persuaded, and entertained his readers throughout the whole book. He focused on Jerry Garcia's interesting life which was expressed through the music of Jerry and the Grateful Dead. Unfortunately, he died from a heart attack (due to his diabetes) in 1995 at the age of 53 (although it is said that he ate too much pizza!). It is a shame that he had to die so young, but his legend lives on. This biography is "A wonderfully balanced, insightful life story of one of rock's most enigmatic heroes" (~Robert Santelli) and I deeply recommend this book to anyone that is interested in the 60's or the Grateful Dead. I give this insightful book a 10/10.

Write your own review

More Garcia : An American Life reviews:
1 2 3

Summary of Garcia : An American Life

He was there when Dylan went electric, when a generation danced naked at Woodstock, and when Ken Kesey started experimenting with acid. Jerry Garcia was one of the most gifted musicians of all time, and he was a member of one of the most worshiped rock 'n' roll bands in history. Now, Blair Jackson, who covered the Grateful Dead for twenty-five years, gives us an unparalleled portrait of Garcia--the musical genius, the brilliant songwriter, and ultimately, the tortured soul plagued by his own addiction. With more than forty photographs, many of them previously unpublished, Garcia: An American Life is the ultimate tribute to the man who, Bob Dylan said, "had no equal."

"A definitive portrait of the psychedelic bandleader."--San Francisco Chronicle

"A heartfelt biography . . . What remains constant throughout the book . . . is Jackson's ability to elucidate Garcia and the Dead's already overanalyzed musical style with an extraordinary freshness."--The Boston Globe

"A wonderfully balanced, insightful life story of one of rock's most enigmatic heroes."--Robert Santelli, The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Anyone who ever attended a Grateful Dead show knows all too well how many "fans" virtually ignored the music in their pursuit of fun. What's worse, scores of closed-minded music critics dismissed the music out of hand simply because of the antics of these so-called fans. Author Blair Jackson sets out on a commendable mission to bring Jerry Garcia the musician into clear focus. Tapping his experience as both a devout Deadhead and a veteran journalist, Jackson's mission is a roaring success. He painstakingly details every musical turn that the Dead took and discusses every side project Garcia embarked on--from the endless stream of bluegrass, old-time, and jug bands of the early 1960s through collaborations both famous and obscure. (Even dedicated fans may not know of Garcia's futile attempt at joining Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys.) Garcia emerges as a talented, versatile, and obsessive musician with a voracious appetite for all forms of music--as long as it came from the heart.

In the process of documenting his musical career, Jackson also presents a picture of Garcia's fascinating offstage life, including the events and inspiration that translated into songs and solos. The author conducted scores of interviews with Garcia himself and with anyone else who could provide insight into Garcia's personality. While never glossing over the unseemly aspects of Garcia's life, Jackson doesn't dwell on them either. In fact, he openly offers connections between Garcia's drug use and his music when they prove appropriate. Neophytes may be turned off by the constant detailed references to specific songs and shows--even particular sound effects--but for the avid follower, Jackson's comprehensive book is a wonderful celebration of an underrated and misunderstood musician. --Marc Greilsamer

History & Criticism Books

Book Subjects

Most talked about in History & Criticism Books

KISS and Make-up
by Gene Simmons
Crown; Published: 2001-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.97
Price in other shops: ~~$25.95~~

Elvis Presley: A Life in Music : The Complete Recording Sessions
by Ernst Jorgensen
St Martins Pr; Published: 1998-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $199.48

The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool
by Michael Segell
Picador; Published: 2006-08-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.81
Price in other shops: ~~$16.00~~

Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock 'n' Roll Nights, and My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley
by George Klein, Chuck Crisafulli
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2011-01-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops: ~~$15.00~~

Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings
by Mr. Peter Pettinger
Yale University Press; Published: 1998-08-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $76.30

Microsound
by Curtis Roads
The MIT Press; Published: 2004-08-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.00
Price in other shops: ~~$34.00~~

Hip Hop America
by Nelson George
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2005-04-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.52
Price in other shops: ~~$15.00~~

A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane's Signature Album
by Ashley Kahn
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2003-10-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops: ~~$16.00~~

Jazz Styles: History and Analysis (10th Edition)
by Mark C. Gridley
Prentice Hall; Published: 2008-01-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $45.99
Price in other shops: ~~$95.60~~

Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia
by Robert Greenfield
It Books; Published: 2009-02-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.47
Price in other shops: ~~$14.99~~

Similar Books and other products

The Grateful Dead Movie [Blu-ray]
Sony; Release date: 2011-11-01; Blu-ray
Best price: $16.81
Price in other shops: ~~$24.98~~

Grateful Dead Scrapbook: The Long, Strange Trip in Stories, Photos, and Memorabilia Image

Grateful Dead Scrapbook: The Long, Strange Trip in Stories, Photos, and Memorabilia
by Ben Fong-Torres
Chronicle Books; Published: 2009-09-23; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $26.99
Price in other shops: ~~$40.00~~

Grateful Dead - Europe 72 Vol. 2
Release date: 2011-09-20; Music CD
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Conversations with the Dead: The Grateful Dead Interview Book
by David Gans
Da Capo Press; Published: 2002-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.35
Price in other shops: ~~$20.00~~

Garcia: A Signpost To New Space
by Jerry Garcia, Charles Reich, Jann Wenner
Da Capo Press; Published: 2003-07-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.44
Price in other shops: ~~$16.00~~

A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead
by Dennis McNally
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2003-08-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.40
Price in other shops: ~~$19.95~~

Living with the Dead: Twenty Years on the Bus with Garcia and the Grateful Dead
by Rock Scully
Cooper Square Press; Published: 2001-08-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.72
Price in other shops: ~~$19.95~~

The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics Image

The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics
Free Press; Published: 2007-05-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.77
Price in other shops: ~~$18.99~~