Rating: 
Summary: When All You Have Is A Hammer...
Review: The hammer in this case would be mindless, overanalytical philosophical tripe meant to impress and demonstrate the authors "intelligence" more than trying to get at the heart of any issue. The most profound philisophical ideas are the most simple, she has completely missed this point and tried to turn the very simple truths contained in Pearts work into some Sartre-esque cesspool of meaningless babble. The fact that this author missed the connection between 2112 and Ayn Rands Anthem explains alot. If this author had taken the time to do a little research into the works of Peart, she would have found that Rand and her philosophy of Objectivsm had a profound influence on much of his work. She might also have learned that there are two types of people in this world: Builders and Looters. Those who create, and those who ride the coattails of those who do. This book is a looting spree. Don't buy this book, and if you do, send this moron a bill for your time and mental anguish.
Rating: 
Summary: PHILOSOPHY and Peart
Review: The Prices have written a book that I, myself, have considered writing... namely, a book interpreting the lyrics of Neil Peart (drummer/lyricist for the band Rush). Peart's song lyrics have kept me reading and researching quite a bit over the years, in an on-going attempt to dig DEEPER into the meaning of his complex songs. Today I consider myself to be, like Peart himself, a self-educated intellectual. I owe much of my intellect to the musical group Rush. Look at the other criticisms of this book - "Rush fans can interpret the songs on their own! They don't need a book to do it for them!" Well.... yes and no. If you want to continue believing that "The Body Electric" is merely a futuristic song/story about a robot, or that "Limelight" is only about being famous... this book isn't for you. But if you want to go DEEPER into the songs' meanings, perhaps you should check out "Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush." If fans can 'interpret the songs on their own,' then why have other fans often asked me, "What is that song ABOUT??" Not ALL fans are able to grasp the 'underlying themes' of the lyrics, and only scratch the surface in their interpretations. Nothing wrong with that; there's a lot of meaning there, too. But for those who want to look still further into the water... Check out this book. The Prices' focus is on Philosophy and Human Psychology as it relates to the vision Peart has given us, the fans of his songs. Sometimes in the text, one gets the impression that the authors have "gone too far" - perhaps they've dug deeper than even Peart himself intended! But new insights into the songs will surely be gained from reading the book, even if only as a suplement to the reader's OWN lyrical intrepretation. I enjoyed this book, and will hang onto it as a reference source.
Rating:
Summary: this book blows
Review: This book was a major disapointment
Rating:
Summary: A good, interesting read
Review: This book was an interesting read for me. I've read some other reviews of this book,and just want to add that the book is an inerpretive book, and that it, not Mr. Peart, is being reviewed here. I don't necessarily agree wih his every word or feeling, but I am interested in the inpetus behind the songs that have graced my life for many years. If you focus on Peart's devotion to rand (mostly in his earlier years, and he didn't endorse her every word), then I think you're missing the point. The authors have done a good job at bringing some of the more obscure meanings to light, as well as educating us on the interesting world of human interaction. You don't have to be a follower of Rand to enjoy this book and gain a little insight into the writings of one of music's more thoughtful lyricists.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent enough....
Review: This book was OK. The content was an interesting interpretation. I have to say that I was embarrassed slightly at song ideas I missed. Some of her explanations I had picked up on myself. Still others I disagreed with. But that's all fine; this is a primer to start with, or an opinion to challenge your own. The only truly definitive book would come from Mr. Peart alone. The lower rating I supplied was more for the style of the book. As I read, I got more annoyed with the manner in which the song lyrics were referenced. It almost was choppy how 'artistic' lyrics would be inserted with 'critical' discourse without delineation between the two (a specific instance that pops up in my head is 'Closer to the Heart'). Also, I don't ever need to read the word 'torpor' again. The reference in the appendix is strangely incomplete. They chose to include some non-standard albums in the album listing, but not all. That, and the bootlegs were not referenced as such, not that a hard-core Rush fan would necessarily need that. If you are going to list some in addition to the official catalog, list them all. All in all, an interesting book. My beef has been more with style, not substance. Worth the time to read.
Rating:
Summary: Read to better understand Rush - and yourself
Review: This is a good book. There are a few chapters that ramble aimlessly and laboriously, quote unlikely sources (the bible?) or at times overlook the obvious (such as 2112 being based partly on Ayn Rand's novel Anthem). But there are several excellent chapters. These include Fear (Witch Hunt, The Weapon, The Enemy Within) The Mass Production Zone (Grand Designs, The Body Electric, Subdivisions, The Analog Kid, Digital Man, Tom Sawyer) and the final chapter Machine and Man (Red Tide, Manhattan Project, Countdown, Red Barchetta, Natural Science, Hemispheres). Surprisingly, given the title the book, the author never attempts to briefly summarize Rush's "philosophy" in a paragraph. I'll take my best shot: Most people do not deal in reality...but do not despair. And for god's sake don't mindlessly conform to the masses! Regard the objectivity of natural, observable science and the trial and error experiments of human existence as a foundation for knowledge. Your life's experiences may seem to be dictated by "chance." But in fact, causality works in your favor. Use the volitional power of your mind (reason), the power of your creativity, and take action! Harness chance to your advantage for it is this probability game that enables you the opportunities to mold the world around you. This is a good book on a great band with the most constructive philosophical "message" of any band or artist in the history of music. An overstatement? Sorry, but you have to admit it's slim pickins' out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantasic Read!
Review: This is an incredible book. It combined and expanded on many of the things that I find interesting such as Rush ( obviously), people, and the deeper elements of sociality and how we as people function. Neil Peart is a living legend in both the drum world and the literary world of written communication. This book did a great job of providing additional insight to pure genius. I would recommend reading the book if you have a genuine interest in Rush and an advanced look at how we function as people and life in general. Go buy it!
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Summary: Deconstruction at its worst
Review: Unless you really enjoy academic writing, I would avoid this one. I did graduate work in an area similar to this, and I found the author's attempt to deconstruct (find hidden meaning) in what are very obvious lyrics, strained at best. The author sees very little in Rush other than themes of fighting programming, and the quest for the individual. While those themes are clearly there, sometimes a song is a song. I found myself rolling my eyes at many of the observations in this text. Do yourself a favor and listen to the songs while reading the lyrics. If you aren't bright enough to understand fairly simply lyrical meanings, you will really dislike this book.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable & insightful look at the philosophies of Rush
Review: Weather of not you like the music of Rush, the lyrics of Neil Peart stand on their own merit as works of genius which resonate with deep meaning and vivid pertinence. Neil's lyrics give voice to more serious and truly important issues and questions than are found in any other lyrics in the music industry in general. Neil Peart is a very meticulous person. There is very little he does or says that is without purpose. Meaningful structure is as equally prevalent in his lyrics as it is in his famously well-crafted drum parts. These structures as well as the content are categorized and examined in this wonderful book. Carol Selby Price and Robert Price are obviously very knowledgeable about each of Neil's lyrics as well as the literature and philosophical concepts that have fed Neil's writing. Their vast knowledge of literature, ancient through modern, is used throughout this book to help explain in colorful detail the issues and images depicted in the lyrics. The authors have put in a great deal of analysis and thought leading to an extremely poignant, interesting and insightful analysis of Neil's lyrics and the philosophies behind them. This book will help greatly deepen the reader's appreciation and understanding of the deep, thought provoking, and powerfully inspirational messages of Neil's works.
Rating:
Summary: Grasping at straws.
Review: What a horribly written book! The authors make a feeble attempt to connect the lyrics of Rush to various philosophical themes and fail miserably. I titled this review "Grasping At Straws", for that is exactly what the authors try to do. Avoid this book!!
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