Woodstock: The 1969 Rock and Roll Revolution Hardcover – 8 Nov. 2018

I believe the book achieves everything it set out to accomplish.It is great that a bookcan convey so much of a sense of the ideas, planning and presenting of an event that was the largest ever music festival of it's kind. Due to the spirit of the young people and the organisers the event evolved and it is this sense of Woodstock being the sensient enbodiment of thousands of young people it was unique.As someone born half a generation too late it was fascinating read. The post war generation were forged in opposition to America's involvement in the Vietnam War; they expressed their desires in protest, become known as hippies but were blessed by not just a peace movement but a musical consciousness that reflacted these ideals and explored ideas through a diverse essemble of music and performers. Those who struggle to Bethel to perform at Woodstoch 1969 were touched by the crowds and somehow through recording made and a later film documentary were immortalised. Many of the acts had long careers and most speak passionately of this time.This is a wonderful hisorical look back not just with nostalgia but with critical insight to ask how the phenomenon that was Woodstock grown and became seared in cultural and musical folklore.I am amazed by the range of artists that performed amid a chaotic running order and torrential rain. It takes a reflective account to detail this and pose questions about what potentially could have been a disaster. Indeed the National Guard were called out but not ultimately deployed on site.It is the goodwill of the people who gathered that this book ultimately commends for the success and its cult status. Probably millions claims to have been there, but a crowd in excess of 500,000 were gathered in this one place, while all the access roads leading to the venue were reduced to parking lots.I love the history. It was the embodiment of a movement. Peace, Love and Music. The book is crammed full of pictures and the crowd look pleased to be there despite the lack of food, shelter and sleep. It proclaims the posiveness of humanity working towards a mutual goal. The faces are young, black and white, male and female, supportive of each other. America has become known as an obese national. There is no evidence of it here in these photographs. There are efforts to publish views on the environment and eating meat in some posters among the crowd.It seems we have lost touch with some of these values. Peace, Love and Music wasn't some fluffy slogan at Woodstock; it demanded a hard journey to and from the site, limited water, food and space. A reliance on others and a collective response as you were simply one in a crowd of hundreds of thousands. It took effort, stamina and thinking of others before you own needs.Firty years on why has it gone so wrong? Play Joni Mitchell.

Perfect coffee table book about the original Woodstock festival. Always heard of this event and saw the film for the first time a month ago -the most those of us born after it can be witness to -and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a treat to find this book here on Amazon (and for less than $5 from a third-party seller, listed as used but looks new), all with positive reviews. The book is a good size and made up of good-quality paper, and includes brief but informative background descriptions about the event and the performers (including a forgotten performer), as well as plenty of pictures. Finished in one sitting. Would make a good gift, too.

This book was a fun read. Lots of great pictures. The stories weren't really that different from what I've read in other books, but it was a read-in-one-sitting-cuz-it's-really-good, kind of book.

I enjoyed looking through this book about Woodstock. I was not able to go there but I am able to see and read about the concerts and what the people experienced there.

Awesome book. Would purchase again for myself since I purchased for a gift last time

interesting and good for all to read