Rating:  Summary: A decent read, though you get some deja vu Review: About three quarters of the way through this acceptable book on music censorship, one gets the feeling that one has read a certain part a second, or even third, time. This book is broken down into two sections: the first breaks down music censorship by subject matter (sex, drugs, politics, race, etc.); the second is broken down by decades, starting from pre-1950 into 2000. It feels more like he wrote the first section and decided to rearrange it for the sake of increasing the books length. The chronology feels more like an appendix (of which there are three, including bibliography, suggested reading, and, in my opinion, an unneeded glossary.) If you're looking for a starting point for censorship research, this is a good place to jump off. However, if you are well educated in the matter, skip this one.
Rating:  Summary: Consistent & well-rounded it is not, but still a decent read Review: Although he is not the most unbiased source on the subject, radio programmer, Eric D. Nuzum, takes readers along the often-treaded path of music censorship in the United States. From interracial dancing at Fats Domino gigs to John Lennon's inflammatory statement about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus to Tipper Gore and the PMRC, the road is interesting, outrageous and often hilarious. The excellent first section separates the subject into the histories of controversies concerning sex, religion, drugs, protest, violence and others. The unnecessary and less interesting second section is a chronological listing of instances of censorship. Consistent or well-rounded it is not, but Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America is an interesting read and a decent rallying call for those who have already made up their minds on the issue of music censorship.
Rating:  Summary: A rad read Review: As a huge fan of music, I found this book to be extremely informative.. from censorship in the earlier days to censorship nowadays, Nuzum is a connoisseur of music who writes with the fervor of a true music fan. This book touches upon everything from cover art to lyrics. Read it and learn something.
Rating:  Summary: I Couldn't Put It Down Review: I didn't always agree with his opinions, but he always supported them well enough for me to belive him. He has a very unique point of view, which comes across as he covers everything from Elvis waist up on Ed Sullivan, to record companies changing songs so they can be sold at Wal-Mart. It is amazing what was censored, and when. Most times I could see the reason behind why something was censored, but sometimes I could not. The book is a must read for anyone who wants to know more about cencored music.
Rating:  Summary: too many errors Review: I found this book to have too many unforgivable errors. There are plenty of books on the subject, I would pick a different one.
Rating:  Summary: Enjoyed this Book Review: I really found this Book to be quite interesting.I found Censorship to be a Joke overall to me.Shops still Sell Stickered Albums to Kids all over the World.what do they stop?? I think it was Racist that Prince was Made the "Poster Child" for Content in Music back in 1985.Suggestive Material had been around way Before Prince&others Came along but He got the Tag.Rappers have caught more Flack Behind Censorship as well.interestign Book Nevertheless.
Rating:  Summary: A shocking part of history Review: I think I had my jaw on the floor the entire time I read this book. I started thumbing through it soon after it arrived, and couldn't stop reading. I've read books about music history before, but Mr. Nuzum has done a great job of making sense of music censorship. I was surprised at the number of music censorings throughout history and at how people didn't learn from the PMRC in 1985! I hope Tipper Gore and her friends get real uncomfrtable reading this book!
Rating:  Summary: Funny, sad, frightening, true and awesome Review: The mark of a great book is that you see the world a little differently after reading it. Nuzum accomplishes ths on the FIRST PAGE and it keeps getting better. It isn't mentioned anywhere else here, but Nuzum has a great web page to go along with the book at http://ericnuzum.com/banned (that's how I found out about the book), which has a lot of stuff found in the book (shroter versions online), plus updated stuff, plus a lot of articles he has written on the subject that aren't included in the book. I saw in another review someone was worried about errors. The web pages also have a list of about a dozen corrections to the book.Folks, this is an amazing book. It shows how freedom and our rights aren't something we can take for granted. If you love music, you can't just assume you'll always be able to listen, you need to protect what you love. Parental Advisory shows you why and how.
Rating:  Summary: parental advisory Review: This book gave lots of information on the music industry and how far it has come today. It also showed the changes in society and what we see as acceptable today. Things taht artists say today would have been the most horrible things in the world 30, 20, even 10 years ago. It was interesting to hear the side of a music lover who was totally against censorship opposed to a old conservative totally against new aged music.
Rating:  Summary: A Refreshing, Enjoyable, Eye-Opening Read Review: This book not only adequately portrays the role censors have played in the history of music - it points out just how ridiculous some of their attempts have been.
Spoken of here are the aspects of politics, sex, violence, etc. - common themes to music, yet always at the forefront of some controversy or another.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the author's fresh, approachable voice. He speaks in a language everyone can understand, while still maintaining his purpose the entire time.
He uses humor in several passages (such as the one in which he questions Tipper Gore's logic behind picking out a soundtrack to an R-rated movie [Purple Rain : Prince] for her eleven-year-old daughter). Such humor, which is interspersed throughout, ensures that the reader maintains interest. However, at no time does the author lose focus - he keeps his focus and never loses the reader.
Also unique and eye-opening are interesting sidebars, interspersed throughout.
All-in-all, the author succeeds at making an understandable, eye-opening book about the history and continuation of censorship in the music world. A definite recommendation to any music fan and people concerned with censorship in America.
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