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Liked It “an interesting read” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Terrible book, but kind of a classic of the genre, and as such a must read. Has been the grist of long-standing jokes among friends for over a decade.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“an interesting read”
Philip M wrote this review Tuesday, December 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“the sleazy under belly of the Best rock band ever!!”
Todd W wrote this review Monday, October 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The main criticism against the book is its not entirely factual, but I made my peace with that a long time ago. The content here is fantastic, if only because this level of exposure to an act of this magnitude was unheard of when this book was published. Led Zeppelin didn't have twitter. They didn't even have music videos (let's all try to forget the videos from The Song Remains the Same). As Sheriff Ed Tom Bell once said, I can't swear it's a true story, but it's certainly true it is a story, and if you read it with that expectation, you won't be disappointed. ”
Jonathan D wrote this review Sunday, July 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An excellent story of the best thing out of England since the Beatles until the Office... I have heard most of the stories are largely fabricated but I wouldn't put anything past John Bonham. Just put Houses of the Holy, tune in, and read out.”
Captain Trips wrote this review Monday, April 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 2 members found this review helpful“Wonderful tosh!”
Drew P wrote this review Sunday, April 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a wonderful book and a must read for the Led Zeppelin fan. But, I recommend to read the updated versions. There is also a new book out called When Giants Walked The Earth. I have not read this one about Zep but it also seems like a must read. Anyway, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good biography.”
Derek V wrote this review Friday, January 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ghost of a rose said: 3 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Saturday, January 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Hammer of the Gods is out-of-date (copyrighted in 1985) and not very well-written, but it is interesting nonetheless.
In case you are wondering why I read a book that is so outdated: I came upon the book accidentally, through my volunteer work at my city's public library (I run the library's used book store one night a week.) So I picked it up, realizing that it would be suitable for this month's music tag. (BTW - note that newer, updated editions are available than the one I read.)
I am a big fan of the British folksinger Sandy Denny and knew that she was a mentor and inspiration to Led Zeppelin. She toured with them, sang on "Battle of Evermore"; and it is said that the entire album of Led Zeppelin III is an homage to her and contains many references to her music. Since I like Led Zeppelin's music also, I wanted to learn more about their association.
Unfortunately, the book said very little about Sandy Denny (although it did mention her.) But I did learn a lot about how the band and their music evolved, and the lives of each of the band members, and about the development and meaning of all of their songs.
The author has the "ga-ga" approach of a younger boy's wide-eyed admiration of the wild, rebellious, trouble-making antics of an older brother. I take much of his account with a grain of salt (more like a whole shakerful, actually.) It buys into the whole mythology of rumors about the band. And I was a little annoyed about the gleeful recounting of episodes of drunken mayhem, assaults, and destruction of other people's property - as if such acts were impressive demonstrations of fun and freedom rather than immature, selfish examples of drugged and intoxicated insensibility.
Furthermore, some of the information in this book is melodramatic nonsense. Such as the caption for one photograph that points out "The Mark of the Beast" embroidered on Jimmy Page's pants. The designs on his pants are actually: on one leg, Page's astrological symbols for his sun sign, moon sign, and rising planet - all symbols quite familiar to anyone with even a passing knowledge of the zodiac (which would have meant just about everyone in Zeppelin's audiences at the time. In other words - people like me, who even without any particular interest in astrology, could easily recognize those symbols.) On the other leg can be seen Jimmy's personal logo "Zoso", a very old and now obsolete symbol for the planet Saturn which is the ruling planet of his astrological sign of Capricorn. The Mark of the Beast - 666 - appears nowhere. That's a pretty glaring error, which could have been eliminated by just a little simple research which is an obligation of responsible journalism. There were several other examples of this type of error.
But Led Zeppelin did produce some great music, and Davis includes in-depth and very informative analysis of it.
And there is also plenty of reliable biographical information about the musicians' backgrounds and the tragedies that haunted their lives and careers.
Another bonus is 3 sections of black-and-white photographs, including quite a few rare, candid ones.
Hammer of God took me considerably longer to read than usual, because I was constantly looking up music on iTunes to hear samples of songs (Led Zeppelin's and many others) mentioned in the book; as well other subjects on the Internet that the book got me interested in. (For example, that's how I learned the meaning of "Zoso." To Davis' credit, that information was not available when the book was written. But that still doesn't excuse his error. Everyone knows that The Mark of the Beast is 666, not Zoso!)
So in spite of its flaws, I did not feel that my time was wasted in reading Hammer of the Gods. And it made me want to go out and buy any Zeppelin albums that I don't already have!
”
“I read this book (the older, out-of-print edition) in one sitting at the Cal Poly library about five years ago. A must read for any Zeppelin fan, although read it with a critical eye--the author retells many of the myths that have been floating around the band. The in-house sessions, personal interviews, and behind the scene reports paint a remarkable picture of how theband came to be and how they embraced their fame.
Mark P wrote this review Friday, January 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I really enjoyed reading about their conversations with other budding musical pioneers and stars (Ron Wood, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, etc). The story about John Lennon and George Harrison coming over to a Zeppelin session to get a break from Paul McCartney brought a smile to my face. Also provides an insight into what happens when a group of teenagers and early twenty-somethings from war-ravaged England have heaps of money at their disposal! A good, fun read.”
“Hammer of the Gods is out-of-date (copyrighted in 1985 - note that newer, updated editions are now available) and not very well-written, but it is interesting nonetheless.
ghost of a rose wrote this review Friday, January 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I am a big fan of the British folksinger Sandy Denny and knew that she was a mentor and inspiration to Led Zeppelin. She toured with them, sang on "Battle of Evermore"; and it is said that the entire album of Led Zeppelin III is an homage to her and contains many references to her music. Since I like Led Zeppelin's music also, I wanted to learn more about their association.
Unfortunately, the book said very little about Sandy Denny (although it did mention her.) But I did learn a lot about how the band and their music evolved, and the lives of each of the band members, and about the development and meaning of all of their songs.
The author has the "ga-ga" approach of a younger boy's wide-eyed admiration of the wild, rebellious, trouble-making antics of an older brother. I take much of his account with a grain of salt (more like a whole shakerful, actually.) It buys into the whole mythology of rumors about the band. And I was a little annoyed about the gleeful recounting of episodes of drunken mayhem, assaults, and destruction of other people's property - as if such acts were impressive demonstrations of fun and freedom rather than immature, selfish examples of drugged and intoxicated insensibility.
Furthermore, some of the information in this book is melodramatic nonsense. Such as the caption for one photograph that points out "The Mark of the Beast" embroidered on Jimmy Page's pants. The designs on his pants are actually: on one leg, Page's astrological symbols for his sun sign, moon sign, and rising planet - all symbols quite familiar to anyone with even a passing knowledge of the zodiac (which would have meant just about everyone in Zeppelin's audiences at the time. In other words - people like me, who even without any particular interest in astrology, could easily recognize those symbols.) On the other leg can be seen Jimmy's personal logo "Zoso", a very old and now obsolete symbol for the planet Saturn which is the ruling planet of his astrological sign of Capricorn. The Mark of the Beast - 666 - appears nowhere. That's a pretty glaring error, which could have been eliminated by just a little simple research which is an obligation of responsible journalism. There were several other examples of this type of error.
But Led Zeppelin did produce some great music, and Davis includes in-depth and very informative analysis of it.
And there is also plenty of reliable biographical information about the musicians' backgrounds and the tragedies that haunted their lives and careers.
Another bonus is 3 sections of black-and-white photographs, including quite a few rare, candid ones.
Hammer of God took me considerably longer to read than usual, because I was constantly looking up music on iTunes to hear samples of songs (Led Zeppelin's and many others) mentioned in the book; as well other subjects on the Internet that the book got me interested in. (For example, that's how I learned the meaning of "Zoso." To Davis' credit, that information was not available when the book was written. But that still doesn't excuse his error. Everyone knows that The Mark of the Beast is 666, not Zoso!)
So in spite of its flaws, I did not feel that my time was wasted in reading Hammer of the Gods. And it made me want to go out and buy any Zeppelin albums that I don't already have!
(346 pages)”
