Les Paul: In His Own Words
by Les Paul, Michael Cochran
Our Price: $720.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Les Paul, Michael CochranEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-10-13
ISBN: 1603600507
Number of pages: 380
Publisher: Gemstone Publishing
Book Reviews of Les Paul: In His Own Words
Book Review: Book and subject exceeding high expectations
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in '76 I heard 'Chester & Lester', an LP that introduced an artist whose name I knew only from the electric guitar I coveted more than any other: Les Paul. Much nice playing, much merriment, but to me, a Les Paul was supposed to produce the sounds of Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin. Many years and much ear-shattering rock and sophisticated jazz later, I picked up a copy of 'Best of Les Paul', music transcripts published by Hal Leonard, and I discovered some of Les Pauls jazz recordings and the nice recordings with Mary Ford, and the interviews with LP in the preface awakened the realisation that there might be more to discover about this character, who seemed to live and perform forever. Sadly, 'forever' came to an end on 13 August 2009, and this reminded me of 'Les Paul - In his own words', a book I'd intended to read for some time, and I ordered it immediately. It is a very large book and really heavy. The colour prints and the photos are of very high print quality, and the font size makes the reading comfortable. The many pictures of Les Paul's guitars, inventions, contraptions, the studio garage in LA and pictures of artists, groups and friends are much more interesting than I'd imagined. The person one discovers through the story - told to a good writer - is intelligent, humourous, lively and determined. It is also enjoyable to sense the drive and positive outlook in a person who has experienced set-backs, difficulties and disappointment without becoming bitter and disappointed, and who says nothing negative about other people. Les Paul makes me feel that when you have something you really want to accomplish, you can't afford to dwell on failures and disappointments. His anecdotes about meeting Django Reinhardt and Bing Crosby are delightful and funny. One obviously has to respect the achievement of a person who has meant so much for the guitar and recording for most of the past century, but the fact that the story of his life is also such delightful reading goes beyond mere recounting of historical achievement. This book is just better than I expected it to be, both in terms of the story it tells and the way it is told, and the pictures that tell a wondrous story in themselves. Les Paul had an extraordinary life, not just a long life, and his story reminds me to get a life - and get a guitar and play it - not just read about it.
History & Criticism Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in History & Criticism Books
KISS and Make-upby Gene Simmons
Crown; Published: 2001-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.49
Price in other shops:
Elvis Presley: A Life in Music : The Complete Recording Sessionsby 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 Coolby Michael Segell
Picador; Published: 2006-08-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.81
Price in other shops:
Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock 'n' Roll Nights, and My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presleyby George Klein, Chuck Crisafulli
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2011-01-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops:
Bill Evans: How My Heart Singsby Mr. Peter Pettinger
Yale University Press; Published: 1998-08-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $76.25
Microsoundby Curtis Roads
The MIT Press; Published: 2004-08-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.00
Price in other shops:
Hip Hop Americaby Nelson George
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2005-04-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.52
Price in other shops:
A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane's Signature Albumby Ashley Kahn
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2003-10-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops:
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:
Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garciaby Robert Greenfield
It Books; Published: 2009-02-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.47
Price in other shops:
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Million Dollar Les Paul: In Search of the Most Valuable Guitar in the World (Genuine Jawbone Books)by Tony Bacon
Hal Leonard; Jawbone Press; Published: 2008-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.34
Price in other shops:
Les Paul & Mary Ford - The Best of the Capitol Masters: 90th Birthday EditionPAUL,LES & MARY FORD; Release date: 2005-06-07; Music CD
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops:
The Modern Era of the Les Paul Legacy: 1968-2009by Robb Lawrence
Hal Leonard; Published: 2009-11-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $24.98
Price in other shops:
Jeff Beck - Rock & Roll Party: Honoring Les PaulRelease date: 2011-02-22; DVD
Best price: $9.85
Price in other shops:
Les Paul Legacy Complete Commemorative Edition. by Lawrence, Robb Les Paul Legacy Complete Commemorative Editionby Robb Lawrence
Hal Leonard; Hal Leonard Corp; Published: 2009-11-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $49.99
Price in other shops:
Les PaulHal Leonard; Release date: 2005-09-13; DVD
Best price: $12.85
Price in other shops:
Les Paul: Live in New York (Blu-ray/ DVD Combo + Digital Copy)Release date: 2010-08-24; Blu-ray
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops:
Les Paul: An American Originalby Mary Alice Shaughnessy
William Morrow & Co; Published: 1993-03; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy 1915-1963by Robb Lawrence
Hal Leonard; Hal Leonrd Corp; Published: 2008-01-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.12
Price in other shops: