Welcome to part 21 in a series of non-fiction book reviews, originally based on the idea that the books I request tell you everything you need to know about me. I have, after so many chapters of this series, realised that all these posts say about me is that have eclectic taste and endless curiosity. Today's entries are all books of photographs. While I'm not much of a photographer myself, I have, apparently, been drawn to books of photos recently. All books in this post are kindly provided in e-arc form from the publishers through NetGalley.
Sound N' Fury: Rock N' Roll Stories by Alan Niven (Publishes 24 June 2025)
Experience rock history through sharp, engaging stories featuring icons like Guns N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith -- perfect for music lovers and skeptics alike -- from legendary manager Alan Niven.
Most rock 'n' roll books are a bore. They all have the same narrative arc and are aimed at the dwindling following that now follows an artist that has long passed their AARP date.
Sound N' Fury does not have a story arc. It is a collection of anecdotes, like a record comprised of various tracks -- each one has its point and purpose. Alan Niven, who guided Guns N' Roses from the gutter of Los Angeles to Wembley Stadium, shares stories from his remarkable life as a manager with an immediacy delivered by an extraordinary recall of dialogue. Readers will encounter not just Guns N' Roses (who have sold almost 10 million tickets to their shows) but The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Clarence Clemons, Whitesnake, Elton John, and others who came from humble origins and experienced fame known only to few. Small-town minds collided with worldwide adulation, expectations, and demands. The results are amusing, affirming, and, predictably, disastrous. Keep in mind that rock 'n' roll is God's occupation for the unemployable.
Written with a crisp and fluid style, the magnificence and idiocy of the music world will dance off the pages and engross even those who are not rock fans.
Firstly, there is not a single photograph in this book, so I'm not sure why it was catagorised as 'Arts and Photography' as well as 'biographies and memoirs'. It is, as advertised a bunch of stories from Alan Niven, Guns N' Roses manager. Unsurprisingly, it paints a very flattering picture of Niven, who is constantly saving the day from unreliable and unpredictable rock stars. It's understandable, but it got tired after the second story. There are only so many times I need to know about how he saved the day. There are references and men and their wives and I didn't get through it all because my eyes glazed over.
The Power of Women: An Atlas of Beauty Book by Mihaela Noroc (Releases 4 March 2025)
This new book delves deeper into the stories behind the captivating images that have made Mihaela Noroc an online sensation. With 500 portraits from over 60 countries, including Japan, India, Peru, Namibia and the United States, The Power of Women is a celebration of courage, resilience and beauty in all its forms.
As a reviewer I was provided with the first 43 pages of this book, which was plenty to get the idea. The format is a picture of a beautiful woman staring at the camera with a half smile on her lips and some words about why she is special. The pictures get kind of creepy after a bit, women of different cultures and races staring at the camera with the same expression on her face. The words are fine, I guess. Each woman gets a paragraph about why she is inspirational. It's all very apolitical, isolated.and individualistic. Statements are made like "many people died" or "x is the only female pilot in her country" wihtout any further exploration or explanation. This is not history, or feminism, it's not a call for change. It is, as a the title says, a book of beauty, which I ultimately found quite unsatisfying.
The In-Between: Intimate and Candid Moments of Broadway Stars by Jenny Anderson (publishes 15 April 2025)
Backstage in the most coveted theatres of Broadway works Jenny Anderson, a legend in her own right. A known Broadway photographer, Anderson has worked with the biggest names of theater and used the power of photography to tell the stories behind the what happens behind the scenes on Broadway.
This is a book for hardcore music theatre fans. The photos are beautiful, but the commentary is limited to the name of the subject, the date and the production. This would be a marvellous book for those who can look at each picture and know some more background than I do. Beautiful photos and a peek behind the scenes.
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