Review: The Road to Woodstock

The Road to Woodstock by Michael Lang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the definitive book on the 1969 Woodstock music festival. Written by organizer Michael Lang, The Road to Woodstock details his early life, how he got into the music business, and how he came up with the idea of a massive concert. Along with partner Artie Kornfeld, Lang approached venture capitalists Joel Rosenman and John Roberts to help plan and fund the iconic concert weekend. The weekend was meant to only cater to approximately 200,000 concert goers, but more than 1/2 million people attended. The plans for the concert was not without its issues, as the men dealt with venue, security, food, and sanitation issues. Many details, including the venue spot, was not determined until the final weeks of preparation. Throughout the 3 days and beyond, other issues arose that were dealt with on the fly and the results turned out to be a rare event of music and peace that has never been duplicated.

Lang's candid book covered Woodstock from inception until well after the concertgoers were gone. It is well written, never boring, yet full of details and amazing stories from interviews with participants and attendees. What an amazing weekend it must have been despite the chaos and constant rain. This is a must-read for the music enthusiast.

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Review: Woodstock: The History and Legacy of America's Most Famous Music Festival

Woodstock: The History and Legacy of America's Most Famous Music Festival by Charles River Editors
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a quick read to give you the down and dirty details on the iconic Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace and Music Festival. The weekend-long festival was not without its problems and issues. Organizers expected less than 200,000 participants and ended up with 1/2 million. Logistics were changing up until the last minute. Some performers were unable to get to the venue due to traffic and the crowds, while others were flown in by helicopter. Despite the issues, there were very few problems once the show was started.

The size and the star power certainly made the weekend an indelible event in American history. This is a good read for someone that is interested in how the event was planned and about the performers who played without getting into the specific day to day details.

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Review: Invisible Man

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the classic tale of an unnamed protagonist who struggles to find his place in the world. He is a young black man in the early 20th century coming to terms with being an invisible person, that is one that is often overlooked and does not stand out. Multiple times throughout the book, he must shed his identity and take on a new persona in order to survive. He always has hope but is often let down, and most of the time by his own doing.

This book explores themes of identity and individualism, responsibility, and race relations. It is a book that still resonates today.

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