What could have been...

I was a Skynyrd fan primarily during my high school and college years; the accident happened my senior year of high school. There was much I did not know about the group’s formation, development, and the sequelae since the plane crash. I thought this book could fill in many blanks and my curiosity led me to the purchase. Parts were enjoyable and parts were objectionable. The accuracy initially seemed to be there, but that may be in question. An attribute of hard copy books as opposed to audiobooks is being able to evaluate the author’s research and references. On this note, please look at those reviews on Amazon, which are written by those apparently having done this assessment in detail and boldly questioning many of the author’s claims. Additionally, I grew very tired of the author’s incessant need to inform the audience of his political beliefs. He never misses an opportunity to push his opinion on the reader/listener, even if it unrelated or only remotely related to topic of the book. Indeed, the author displays his arrogance by failing to subjugate his own views and sacrifices telling the intended story by this political ranting. How does his opinion of Ted Cruz even belong in a historical perspective of Lynyrd Skynyrd? Further, he cannot seem to differentiate between fiscal conservatism and racism, actually revealing his own lack of understanding of the issues about which he repeatedly drones. This could have been a good book, but the author apparently chose to take shortcuts and also use it as a political epistle instead.

36 people found this helpful

Was entertaining

Well, the performance was great though the book was just a good okay book. Amazing that to a man, every one of the members of the band are so full of crap nobody will ever know the truth of anything substantial the band ever did.

6 people found this helpful

Wow great book

As a fan for 40 years this book was a real eye opener. It seems the only "nice " guys were Steve Gaines, Billy Powell and Leon Wilkinson. The author seems to have no hidden agenda, just tells it like it is. Ironically that's the way Ronnie would have liked it...warts and all. If you love Skynyrd music, you have to read/hear this book. You will a new appreciation for the band and the music.

4 people found this helpful

Moving Story of the Group that Gave Us Free Bird

Any additional comments?

A quite moving account of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the trials and tribulations, the mercurial rise to fame from obscurity and the subsequent tragedies of the group that sang the music of a generation. Jeremy Arthur is a compelling storyteller (one of my favorites!) and is masterful at bringing the listener into the story...I would often forget I was listening to an audiobook so immersed was I. For any Skynyrd fans, or fans of music in general, I would highly recommend a listen to Whiskey Bottles & Brand New Cars.

4 people found this helpful

Really fun read! Learned a lot about Skynyrd!

What did you love best about Whiskey Bottles and Brand-New Cars?

I have always been a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, but had not really looked to much into the band's history. So this was super fun to listen to, but i got to learn some things too. I also thought that the narrator was fantastic, and I would love to listen to more audiobooks by him. Overall, no regrets on this book.

4 people found this helpful

what a pile of liberal crap

got about 30 mins in. horrible book. love skynyrd but this book is a waste of money

3 people found this helpful

Gloriously over the top

Hahaha! What a hoot! Lots of booze and fights and a villain in the band. This is as subtle as a kick in the balls followed by puking Bud Lite Lime on a cop's shoes! Could a biography of Lynyrd Skynyrd be otherwise?

3 people found this helpful

Great book.

I found this to be very interesting and learned some new things about the band. Narrator was excellent.

3 people found this helpful

Don't waste your money.

The lack of research by the author is nothing short of embarrassing. A shameful effort to capitalize on the Skynyrd name with a few Google searches.

2 people found this helpful

This is not supported by members of the band

There are many books that are written and supported by the band and this is not one of them. This book is just someone else's tales, who's looking to make a buck on other people's lives. He got me for $3 then a friend of mine that I told about it and is friends with the Van Zant family told me that this book is nothing but bs.

2 people found this helpful