Essays explore the influence of art in twentieth-century American culture, including jazz, basketball, professional wrestling, magic, gambling, entrepreneurship, series television and automotive design.

“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

You've encountered them at every concert: The Chatty Cathie, The Beer Whoo Crew, The Unauthorized T-Shirt Guy, The Other Lead Singer, and of course the dreaded Makeout Couple. As much a part of any concert as the band itself, these prototypical concert goers shape our concert experiences. Steve Weinberger, extreme concert goer and author of No Air Guitar Allowed, knows this better than anyone, having attended over 1,000 concerts and counting. He has been interviewed on countless radio stations across the country and on national television.

Freddie Mercury did it. Hormone-addled adolescents do it. Grown men do it in the privacy of their own homes (and, sometimes, in dark public gatherings)—and now you, too, can take your first step toward becoming a master axeman. All you need to know is here: Dos and don'ts (and even accessories—from how to choose the "axe" that's best for you, to onstage tips) A user's guide to the key air guitar moves, and more—graded by difficulty, from learner to master axeman level. 50 fret-fondling favorites to play—plus ten to avoid at all costs... REMEMBER, IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY OR TOO LATE TO START STRUMMING. ALL YOU NEED IS A COPY OF THIS BOOK, AND A BELIEF IN THE POWER OF ROCK!

Jimi Hendrix's talent was epic, and so is this lyrical account of his life, with spectacular artwork by Edel Rodriguez-- including a poster underneath the jacket! From his turbulent childhood through his epical appearance at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals, Charles R. Smith Jr. covers it all in this rich and rhythmic account of a singular life, accompanied by the psychedelic splendor of Edel Rodriguez's acid-tinged artwork. Let me tell you a story, a story 'bout a boy, who became a man, a git-tar man, named Jimi. Written as a series of verses beginning with intro and ending with outro, this unique mix of rhythm and rhyme captures the essence of rock icon Jimi Hendrix and his struggle to live life on his own terms. Backmatter, including a select discography, timeline of Hendrix's life, and a personal essay from the author, is included. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year An Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids pick!