DT Biography, Lifting Shadows Discussion

[Ben_Jamin]

I have the original with the cd, it also has my name in it. When they came to Albuquerque for the I&W&B tour, it was an easy choice for me to get the VIP and have them sign the Images section of the book.

It was great seeing their reactions to it, JLB in particular. I had them sign certain images from it and when I got to Mangini, I had him sign one of the blank pages at the end.

[lightningbolt]

I finally got around to buying this book the other day.  I'm looking forward to digging in here soon.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I have the original with the cd, it also has my name in it. When they came to Albuquerque for the I&W&B tour, it was an easy choice for me to get the VIP and have them sign the Images section of the book.

It was great seeing their reactions to it, JLB in particular. I had them sign certain images from it and when I got to Mangini, I had him sign one of the blank pages at the end.

I have the original too, and my name is also on it! Yay!

I do recall that initial version having a lot of spelling errors, typos, etc. I don't blame Rich for that. I'm assuming the book simply did not get the editing pass it needed from the publisher. Everything was totally fine in the paperback version.

[Samsara]

I had the big Images and Words hardcovers. Sold them. Now I have the paperback standard. Hopefully Rich updates this at some point. Demand seems to be there.

[Setlist Scotty]

I have the original with the cd, it also has my name in it. When they came to Albuquerque for the I&W&B tour, it was an easy choice for me to get the VIP and have them sign the Images section of the book.

It was great seeing their reactions to it, JLB in particular. I had them sign certain images from it and when I got to Mangini, I had him sign one of the blank pages at the end.

I have the original too, and my name is also on it! Yay!

I do recall that initial version having a lot of spelling errors, typos, etc. I don't blame Rich for that. I'm assuming the book simply did not get the editing pass it needed from the publisher. Everything was totally fine in the paperback version.

Rich was gravely ill during the period of time that it was supposed to be edited, so unfortunately he was for the most part out of the picture during that stage of the writing. It's also why that ugly majesty symbol was embossed on the outside cover and the front cover of the "Words" book instead of using a proper version of it.

[ytserush]

but do you mean the original is the version with Images & Words books?

Correct.

If this is the original, it was already very exclusive and limited right from the get-go.

IIRC it was somewhat limited, but not perhaps to the extent we might imagine. You'd have to ask Rich how many of the original book were published as I haven't a clue. But with all the people who pre-ordered it having the opportunity to get their names included in the book, you can get at least a rough idea.

I seem to remember that the number was announced in the run up to the release. Don't remember what the number was but I think it was still available for short time after the pre-order period before it sold out. There's got to be a post around somewhere from that time with the details.


Ha! Totally forgot my name is in there!

I always pull out the regular hard cover version when I want to reread something because I try to limit my handling of the deluxe box. (Can't even remember the last time I got it out to play the CD.)

[ytserush]

I just bought a copy of the deluxe one with the CD and while I got a little lucky, it's still agonizing.

Didn't you get it when it was first published? I would have thought you did.

I have the hardcover, but not the release with the CD.  I actually wanted the CD most (to be a completist; I had the songs).

But weren't you around on the forums back then? It just surprises me that you wouldn't have snapped it up back then when it was new.

I bought the jumbo, super-deluxe, and my name's in it, but I recall it being quite pricey.  The funny thing for me is that I didn't realize the CD was in there until about 5 years ago.

By the way, I wonder if anyone whose name is in the book has gone onto any degree of fame or notoriety (or infamy).

For some reason, $75 is stuck in my head for the original price which I thought was a little high at the time but the design is very nicely and creatively done.

[Samsara]

These days $75 is pretty standard for oversized hardcovers, or a hardcover box set, like the original edition of the DT bio was. I really regret selling it years ago.

[Wim Kruithof]

These days $75 is pretty standard for oversized hardcovers, or a hardcover box set, like the original edition of the DT bio was. I really regret selling it years ago.

I've payed $325,- without package delivery costs for it last month. Fan-madness...

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I just finished version 2 of the book and I have to say, I found it captivating. I don't typically enjoy reading books about artists I follow but a friend suggested I read it so I bought it on a whim.

I now feel like I understand much more some of the professional and musical decisions they've made over the decades. One of the most interesting things is to see how prior albums were received at the time they were released and compare that to how they aged - something that is impossible to predict.

Version 2 covers A Dramatic Turns of Events with the pen stopping before any discussion of DT12. There is so much that has happened since then, I really hope the author is thinking about a follow up while certain things are fresh in peoples' minds.

Highly recommended read for any DT freak.

[voncorn]

I really appreciated how the band approved to print even some really unsavory and critical passages about the band and their musicianship (at least early on in their career), namely the ones from David Prater. David Prater really does come off as an egotistical prick, but it was refreshing to read an officially sanctioned biography that wasn't just entirely heaping unadulterated praise on the subject.

[faizoff]

Agree with the comments above, the updated edition was a great read. I really enjoyed the early phases era as that's when I became a fan so reading all the behind the scenes stuff was really fascinating. I might re-read it sometime soon.

[gzarruk]

Here's hoping there's a new version in the works.

[Setlist Scotty]

Version 2 covers A Dramatic Turns of Events with the pen stopping before any discussion of DT12. There is so much that has happened since then, I really hope the author is thinking about a follow up while certain things are fresh in peoples' minds.

Actually, that's the third edition. The first was the 2 volume Images and Words box set, the second edition was hard cover (two versions, with a traditional hard cover and a leather bound cover, but same exact contents including the section on side projects) and the third edition that's just the paperback covering ADToE.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I just finished version 2 of the book and I have to say, I found it captivating. I don't typically enjoy reading books about artists I follow but a friend suggested I read it so I bought it on a whim.

I now feel like I understand much more some of the professional and musical decisions they've made over the decades. One of the most interesting things is to see how prior albums were received at the time they were released and compare that to how they aged - something that is impossible to predict.

Version 2 covers A Dramatic Turns of Events with the pen stopping before any discussion of DT12. There is so much that has happened since then, I really hope the author is thinking about a follow up while certain things are fresh in peoples' minds.

Highly recommended read for any DT freak.

It's been a while, I need to re-read. I remember the latest edition being fantastic. The only criticism I vaguely remember having is that Rich would occasionally give his own opinions of their albums, which was completely within his right to do but I would have preferred the author not do that. That's more of my own personal preference more than anything else. Otherwise? Pretty awesome and informative.

[Max Kuehnau]

and the third edition that's just the paperback covering ADToE.

which is the one I own and I always found it to be very enjoyable to read (and insightful and detailed)

[Wim Kruithof]

Actually, that's the third edition. The first was the 2 volume Images and Words box set, the second edition was hard cover (two versions, with a traditional hard cover and a leather bound cover, but same exact contents including the section on side projects) and the third edition that's just the paperback covering ADToE.

I've got them all four, must be an addict by now.

[Stadler]

I need to get the paperback; I have the other two.

[Max Kuehnau]

well worth owning IMHO yes