From a Whisper to a Scream: The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin

Must have for the Zeppelin fan

An excellent overview of the music of Led Zeppelin by one of the world's leading experts on the band.

I was expecting much more information on the origins, recording, and meaning of each song. Instead, this book provides a brief but enthusiastic description of each song that tells the reader nothing except that Dave Lewis likes it. Depending on the song, the reader may also get a terse note on where or when it was recorded; whether a single was discussed or released; early blues songs referenced or nicked; a LITTLE bit more information on the production of the song or album; and a list of concerts at which it was performed live. (Information I found useless, but perhaps there are fans who enjoy this sort of trivia.)As for song meaning, sometimes there's a suggestion that offers so little it might as well be a footnote referring to a frustratingly non-existent volume giving the full story. (Perhaps devoted fans know the full story from some interview or another book. This book doesn't point the way to those sources.)The information on album production, and the quotes from the band members, seem to be the same as what I've already read in Mick Wall's "When Giants Walked the Earth," which tells the same story more fully and in a far more enjoyable narrative style.The double-column format makes this book feel cheesy and even more insubstantial. Photos are tiny and unremarkable.I think you could probably find all the information in this book on Lewis's website. For the fan who wants more information about how the albums were made, as well as the band's story in general, I recommend "When Giants Walked the Earth." It has its flaws, but it's the best rendition of the Led Zeppelin story I've read and it contains a list of interviews referenced, a bibliography, and an index.I'd return this book, but it's not worth scrounging up the packing material and driving to the post office to get back the twelve bucks. Putting it on the "sell" pile for my next trip to a secondhand bookstore.

good