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Van der Graaf Generator - The Book: Kindle version

Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Books and Miscellaneous Reviews
Forum Description: Reviews of prog books, memorabilia, etc.
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74099
Printed Date: November 23 2024 at 19:04
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Topic: Van der Graaf Generator - The Book: Kindle version
Posted By: bucka001
Subject: Van der Graaf Generator - The Book: Kindle version
Date Posted: December 14 2010 at 10:02
"Van der Graaf Generator - The Book" is now available from http://www.amazon.com/" rel="nofollow - www.amazon.com (U.S.) and http://www.amazon.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - www.amazon.co.uk (U.K.) as a Kindle book. In the past, I've communicated with several U.S. VdGG fans who would have liked to buy the book, but the cost for shipping a 300+ page hardcover monstrosity across the pond made it a financial impossibility. Hopefully this will help matters! Actually, it will hopefully help matters for anyone who found it a bit expensive, regardless of what country you live in.

While there are no images in a Kindle book, the complete text is of course included. Here's a brief description, modified slightly from the original book description (we took out the part about abundant photographs, natch!):

Van der Graaf Generator were one of the most unique and important groups to emerge from the British 'underground' music scene of the late 60's and early 70s. Between 1969 and 1978 they created a body of work which in turn excited, overwhelmed, electrified, bedazzled, frustrated, and moved fans and critics alike. With their records and extreme live performances, they earned an intense international cult following, creating music which was considered brilliant by some and inaccessible by others. Over the years, the music of Van der Graaf Generator and lyrics of Peter Hammill have continued to exert a widespread, powerful influence.

Now back together again after a 27 year break, Van der Graaf Generator continue to be a source of interest for fans, musicians, and the critics, who have universally lauded their reformation. Sold out concerts and a new album, which has attracted unanimous acclaim, show that interest in this most original group is running at an all time high.

The inside story of the band is revealed for the first time. It includes up-to-date commentary from all surviving past and present members, as well as input from over sixty others (including celebrity admirers, associates, former employees, friends, and family members). Van der Graaf Generator - The Book delves into the intense but humorous, bizarre and often difficult inner-workings of an uncompromising rock group.

"It's been fascinating to find out so much that I didn't know about the band I'm in." - Guy Evans

Record Collector [5 star review]
"The book is a glorious romp for both the initiated and newcomer alike... A remarkable, informative tale."

The Wire (March '06)
"An entertaining account of Hammill and co's byzantine history... it's a rollicking good read."

Mojo [4 star review]
"A narrative of considerable exuberance... backed up by an abundance of documentation, photographs, and trivia."

Guitar Player (July '06)
"Will obviously be of interest to fans, but it also provides fascinating insights into the culture of the times."

ROCK'n'REEL Jan/Feb 2008
"Such a band deserves a good book about it, and now it's got one."

Ugly Things #24
"No Van der Graaf fan should be without it."

Jam (Italy)
"A grand work unbeatable in terms of accuracy and graphic quality."


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jc



Replies:
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: December 17 2010 at 21:05
amazing amazon to the rescue!

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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: December 17 2010 at 21:08
Is this it!
 
 
 
OK new Christmas present idea, kids!


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Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: December 20 2010 at 09:25
Yes, that's it.

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jc


Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: December 21 2010 at 07:51
W00t!

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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 23:50
'tis a shame about the lack of photographs though, as I feel that makes the book even more worthwhile reading.  Fortunately I have the hardback edition but I do recommend trying to read it if you can, even if it is sans photographs.

Nice one, Jim and Chris!


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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 17:45
I still cant find the book anywhere on the shelves and shipping is astronomical - what are the alternatives? I guess i could ebay it.... why does shipping cost a packet?

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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 18:57
Well I'm presuming there was firstly a limited print run and so as the book gets rarer, prices will likely increase.  Secondly, it's a hefty hardback and would likely need a courier service to deliver it.

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Posted By: holy ghost
Date Posted: March 15 2011 at 14:36
I know me, and I will never read a book on a kindle...... even as I plan to move to a condo and reduce the amount of stuff I'm able to have, I know I will never sit there and flip "pages" with that thing....... Hopefully this gets reissued as it looks totally tits!!


Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: March 16 2011 at 11:36
Originally posted by holy ghost holy ghost wrote:

I know me, and I will never read a book on a kindle...... even as I plan to move to a condo and reduce the amount of stuff I'm able to have, I know I will never sit there and flip "pages" with that thing....... Hopefully this gets reissued as it looks totally tits!!
 
The stock has dwindled to almost nothing but there are still a few copies available of the hardcover edition (with all the vintage photos, etc) at http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk" rel="nofollow - www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk
 
If you're not in Europe, the postage to ship across the ocean is hefty (just a warning).


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jc


Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: March 16 2011 at 12:00

As someone soon to release a book, very possible to be made available on Kindle (to save forest); I think this is the kick up the backside I need to finally purchase my own Kindle.   

Thanx for the kick up my backside, Bucka001. 



Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: March 18 2011 at 08:46
Beware of writers who use:
the most unique
As a reminder, 'unique' is one of those odd English words that does not need and so should not have a qualifiying word in front of it.


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Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: March 18 2011 at 09:54
Originally posted by Dick Heath Dick Heath wrote:

Beware of writers who use:
the most unique
As a reminder, 'unique' is one of those odd English words that does not need and so should not have a qualifiying word in front of it.
 
Fair enough, didn't catch that. The book has gotten* universally good reviews but I'm sure there are a few other overlooked mistakes in there to keep that one company!
 
*When we were writing the book, Hugh Banton actually called me on using the word 'gotten' and said that it was more of an American word and that a Brit wouldn't use it. Anyway, Dick, you were hopefully  able to enjoy the book (assuming you have it) despite the writing flub!


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jc


Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: April 20 2011 at 13:41

From my co-author Phil Smart:

"We have a spare brand new copy of Van der Graaf Generator - The Book floating
around in Israel due to a postal cock-up. If anyone in that country is
interested in buying it then it's available at the usual price but with UK
postage. Email me directly if interested*. First come..."

*let me know by mailing me privately here @ progarchives

This is for the actual book, obviously, and not the Kindle version.



Jim Christopulos
co-author, "Van der Graaf Generator - The Book"



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jc


Posted By: npjnpj
Date Posted: April 21 2011 at 01:00
As for the book: It's on my soon-to-buy-urgently list.
As for the Kindle: I've had mine for 1 1/2 years now, and after a transitional time of 2 to 3 days I'll never want to go back to a normal book again.


Posted By: Withnail
Date Posted: August 10 2012 at 08:46
It's very good indeed.  Some really great photos and facsimilies of concert posters and promotional materials.  I can't imagine what it would be like reading it on a Kindle though


Posted By: Smurph
Date Posted: August 10 2012 at 09:16
Originally posted by bucka001 bucka001 wrote:


"It's been fascinating to find out so much that I didn't know about the band I'm in." - Guy Evans
 
I lol'd


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wtf


Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: August 15 2012 at 03:20
Originally posted by Smurph Smurph wrote:

Originally posted by bucka001 bucka001 wrote:


"It's been fascinating to find out so much that I didn't know about the band I'm in." - Guy Evans
 
I lol'd

LOL I hope Evans can sleep easy now knowing who he really is.


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Posted By: Raccoon
Date Posted: August 15 2012 at 03:59
Well on amazon there's one used hardcover copy! But I'm hoping to get a copy cheaper than $200.00 plus shipping + handling Tongue

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Posted By: Cloud Forest
Date Posted: August 15 2012 at 04:21
sweet

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All Hail Geddy Lee!



Posted By: The Jester
Date Posted: August 17 2012 at 09:02
I checked it as well.
Why it is soooo expensive??? I don't understand...


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This is my Blog mostly about Rock music, but also a few other things as well.

You are most welcome!

Thank you. :)


Posted By: Tamjid Wafaa
Date Posted: February 01 2013 at 02:06
Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriter Peter Hammill and Chris Judge Smith and were the first act signed to Charisma Records. They did not experience much commercial success in the UK, but became considerably popular in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 they embarked on a reunion, which continues to the present day. 


Posted By: Eria Tarka
Date Posted: February 01 2013 at 02:48
Originally posted by Tamjid Wafaa Tamjid Wafaa wrote:

Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriter Peter Hammill and Chris Judge Smith and were the first act signed to Charisma Records. They did not experience much commercial success in the UK, but became considerably popular in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 they embarked on a reunion, which continues to the present day. 

Great now I don't need to buy the book! 


Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: February 02 2013 at 02:08
I wrote the book and have no idea where that paragraph came from (or why it was posted); it certainly isn't part of The Book.

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jc


Posted By: Neo-Romantic
Date Posted: February 05 2013 at 03:54
That's the first paragraph from the band's entry on wikipedia.



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