Progressive and libertarian, anti-Communist and revolutionary, Democratic and Republican, quintessentially American but simultaneously universal. By the late 1980s, rock music had acquired a dizzying array of political labels. These claims about its political significance shared one common thread: that the music could set you free. Rocking in the Free World explains how Americans came to believe they had learned the truth about rock 'n' roll, a truth shaped by the Cold War anxieties of the Fifties, the countercultural revolutions (and counter-revolutions) of the Sixties and Seventies, and the end-of-history triumphalism of the Eighties. How did rock 'n' roll become enmeshed with so many different competing ideas about freedom? And what does that story reveal about the promise-and the limits-of rock music as a political force in postwar America?

From renowned diplomat and musician András Simonyi -- whom Stephen Colbert calls "the only ambassador I know who can shred a mean guitar!" -- comes a timely and revealing memoir about growing up behind the Iron Curtain and longing for freedom while chasing the great power of rock and roll. In ROCKING TOWARD A FREE WORLD, Simonyi charts the struggle of growing up in 1960s Hungary, a world in which listening to his favorite music was a powerful but furtive endeavor: records were black-market bootlegs; concerts were held under strict control, even banned; protests were folded into song lyrics. Get caught listening to Western radio could mean punishment, maybe prison. That didn't matter to Simonyi, who from an early age felt the tremendous pull of rock and roll, the lure of American popular culture, and a burning desire to buck the system. Inspired by the protest music coming out of the West, he formed a band and became part of Hungary's burgeoning rock scene. Then came the setbacks: tightening of control by the state, the seemingly inescapable weight of an authoritarian system, and the collapse of Simonyi's own dreams of stardom. A story of youth, rebellion, and hope, ROCKING TOWARD A FREE WORLD sheds new light on two of the most powerful forces of the modern age: global democracy and rock and roll. Deeply vital and compelling, Simonyi's memoir chronicles how one man's tremendous connection to American and British popular music inspired him to make a difference in his country and, eventually, the world. It tells the story of a generation, as played out in song lyrics and guitar riffs.

1000 Songs That Rock Your World is the ultimate visual guide to the best rock music ever produced. From Abba to ZZ Top, it's not simply the ideal playlist, it's a one-stop catalog of a half-century of Rock 'n' Roll. Showcasing songs by nearly 500 artists in all rock genres, 1000 Songs That Rock Your World goes behind the scenes to uncover the fascinating story of the creation, significance, and popularity of these dynamic hits. More than 500 eye-popping color photos of concert action shots, album covers, posters, tickets, guitars, and more. Indexed by ranking, artist, and year for easy reference. Featuring: • Buddy Holly • The Beatles • Elvis • Jimi Hendrix • The Beach Boys • The Rolling Stones • Lou Reed • The Grateful Dead • The Who • The Allman Brothers • Simon & Garfunkel • Bob Dylan • Queen • Pink Floyd • Led Zeppelin • Neil Young • Bruce Springsteen • Green Day • and Hundreds More!

"Citizen Soldier Handbook: 101 Ways for Every American to Fight Terrorism" is a How-To Guide for Americans to fight the greatest threat to Western Civilization - Radical Islam. Terrorists declared every man, woman and child to be a target. We have no choice but to become Citizen Soldiers. The Handbook's Five sections - Morale, Intelligence, Physical Training, Mental Training and Action - encourage Americans of all backgrounds, ages, and skills to do their part against Radical Islam. The Citizen Soldier Handbook is a Call to Arms in the spirit of Citizen Soldiers - at Lexington and Concord firing the 'Shot Heard Round the World' - brighten the glow of Freedom from the Torch of Liberty. --- ..". Citizen Soldier Handbook puts this power into the citizen's hands with knowledge about the threat of Radical Islam, how to empower yourself and how to use media to stop the threat of Radical Islam in the age of Information Warfare. This book will inspire you...." -John Ziegler Radio Show Host & Author "The Death of Free Speech" "We are engaged in a great war of Ideas - Freedom versus Tryanny, Democracy versus Islamic Totalitarianism. The weapon of ... is Information. As a writer, I understand the power of Ideas, Information and Humor. The Citizen-Soldier Handbook will help and inspire you, your friends, family, coworkers, fellow Americans to get the word out in dozens of ways." -Burt Prelutsky Former WGA President & Author "Conservatives Are from Mars, Liberals Are from San Francisco: 101 Reasons I'm Happy I Left the Left" "The Citizen-Soldier Handbook is an invaluable resource... at once an exhaustively researched compendium of strategies and a stirring reaffirmation of the meaning of citizenship, it is a clarion call to action in a time when too many have been lulled into a false sense of complacency." -Harry Stein - Author of "How I Accidentally Joined the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy (and Found Inner Peace)' and is a Contributing Editor to "City Journal" ..".this is more than a handbook. It is a call to action. In this age of information and internet warfare, everyone can be a Citizen Soldier and everyone can join the fight. The Citizen Soldier Handbook will show you the way." -Brandon L. Millett Chairman and Co-Founder, "The GI Film Festival," Washington D.C. The Citizen Soldier Handbook's Five Sections has 101 Actions (even more if you include subheadings ) urging Americans to take action in their Lives, Communities and the World to fight Radical Islam. Morale - Believe in the Greatness of America and Fight For Her Intelligence - Learn about Radical Islam, its Roots, Adherents, Beliefs and Dangers Physical Training - As Physical Beings, We Must Be in Shape to Take Action Mental Training - Steel Yourself for the Mission Ahead. Take Action - Take Action With Suggestions, Ideas, Techniques, Methods and Resources, Organizations and More.... This Book is a Match to Light The Torch of Freedom that You - America's Citizen Soldier - Must Hold High to Stop the Encroaching Darkness. The Fight Is Yours."

'Jimi Hendrix was not so much an element in a Periodic Table of Heavy Rock as an entire elemental spectrum in a parallel universe.' Welcome to The Periodic Table of Heavy Rock! Instead of hydrogen to helium, here you'll find Smashing Pumpkins to Spinal Tap - 118 artists that have defined this music genre arranged following the logical ordering of The Periodic Table of Elements. Many of these elements are as unstable and reactive as their chemical counterparts. Shared style influences and band members are all mapped out here, along with the vast spectrum of sound this genre. Grunge rock through to hardcore, blues rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, arena rock, glam rock and glam metal, punk rock, blues metal, 80s new wave, comedy metal, thrash, death, intelligent AND nu-metal are all represented here. Includes: Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Queen, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Yes, Slipknot, Nirvana, ZZ Top, Sex Pistols, Meat Loaf, Queens of the Stone Age, the Doors, Pixies, Frank Zappa, Slade, Marilyn Manson, The Beatles and Spinal Tap and many, many more...

This book investigates the extent to which social class has changed in Eastern Europe since the fall of communism. Based on extensive original research, the book discusses how ideas about class are viewed by both working class and middle class people. The book examines how such people’s social identities are shaped by various factors including economic success, culture and friendship networks. The present class situation in Eastern Europe is contrasted to what prevailed in Communist times, when societies were officially classless, but nevertheless had Communist party elites.

Popular Music Theory and Analysis: A Research and Information Guide uncovers the wealth of scholarly works dealing with the theory and analysis of popular music. This annotated bibliography is an exhaustive catalog of music-theoretical and musicological works that is searchable by subject, genre, and song title. It will support emerging scholarship and inquiry for future research on popular music.

“Make Air, Not War” is the personal motto of Dan Crane, the musician who decided to put his “there” guitar aside and reinvent himself as Björn Türoque: the take-no-prisoners future of competitive air guitar. Jeopardizing love and livelihood to join the ruthless international circuit of the World Air Guitar Championships, Björn Türoque (pronounced “b-yorn too-RAWK”) began a three-year odyssey to secure what was rightfully his (and America’s!)—the air guitar world crown. To Air is Human is the riotous tale of one man’s journey through a world of wheelchair-bound Christian air rockers, spandex-jumpsuit fittings, Finnish stunt wolves, catatonic ‘80s guitar heroes, air groupies, Aireoke™, Air Supply, dry-ice injuries, and ultimately, good vs. evil (in the form of Björn’s rival pretender to the air guitar throne). But it is also a sincere and penetrating account of the pursuit of an elusive, intangible, and perhaps nonexistent goal: to achieve “airness”—that is, when air guitar transcends the “real” art that it imitates and becomes an art form in and of itself. “Björn Türoque is so good that people with real guitars now have contests to see who can do the best imitation of his air guitar imitation.”—Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink and The Tipping Point

I hardly used to care about politics. What was it to me what those fat cats down in Washington were doing? How did it affect my life? Then along comes Trump, the fattest cat of them all. Suddenly, I am a political junkie. I care deeply about social issues. I go from having no feelings about Hilary Clinton to being her biggest fan. This book is a collection of what I've read and who I've become in the crazy days of Trump.