I had delayed reading this book for several months, because I was expecting to be disappointed. The reviews in the mainstream media all indicated that Grace had not spoken enough about the music, or about the turmoil of the times, but had rather focused more on the seedier side of her life. Also, Grace herself was blatantly promoting the book as "Cash for Trash", and was gave bland, repetitive interviews during her media tour.
But after reading Catherine's positive review in the last MFOB, I took the plunge. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. This is a great book! There is not a lot about the music per se, but there's plenty on the group dynamics of Jefferson Airplane as they were recording each of their albums. Plenty to increase my appreciation of the music that we all love so much. And actual new information, not just the same old rehash. One of my favorite passages describes how each member of the band jealously guarded their respective faders during the mixing of Crown of Creation.
There's also a great synopsis on the breakup of the 'Plane. In fact, the largest chunk of the book deals with the Grace's adventures while a member of JA. She quashes one of my favorite theories, namely, that Roy Baxter was the inspiration for the title of After Bathing at Baxter's. Apparently, the title was just a random, spontaneous utterance from Gary Blackman, who wrote the eponymous poem on the record sleeve. A very Sixties moment, and a very fitting genesis for this archtypical Sixties LP!
There is considerably less verbiage, but still interesting stuff, on Jefferson Starship. Even less on the Starship years, partly because Grace was living a life as conservative as the music that band was playing. The last 20 years of her life receive the least attention, which is fine, since they are the least interesting. Almost nothing on Great Society, but Darby Slick's book covered that time in marvelous detail.
The writing is very good. Grace is funny, crucially self-aware, refreshingly honest, and she's self-deprecating without being whiny. The book is at its best when Grace sticks to her life, and her philosophy of life; when she deals with history and politics, she reveals very sophomoric views. Some stuff, like the segment that ends chapter 19, "Things We Wrote About", inspires nearly terminal douche chills. And I absolutely detest the whole PETA thing, but she doesn't bring it up until page 300, thank God.
But those are minor complaints. Thank God for Grace! Luckily, she doesn't take herself too seriously, and that's made for a great book.
O! Me of little faith! Don't be afraid, read the book!