IPod, Therefore I Am: A Personal Journey Through Music

It is, perhaps, testament to the speed at which technology develops, but I could not finish this book. The clincher comes when Jones, dribbling with excitement, announces that there is "a fast-growing band of so-called `pod-casters'... mostly amateur programme-makers...". One could argue that Jones' had his `finger on the pulse', back in 2004 when recording his eulogy to portable music. But, reading it just three years later is like taking a history lesson.

The book is at its best when describing the workings of Apple as a company, and the development of the iPod's design. Before the `clincher', I had begun to skip the self-indulgent chapters which cover his `personal' journey', which were a little too `personal' to be of interest to anyone except his biggest fans.

Like 'High Fidelity' but with facts (1/1 people found this helpful)

A very readable book, amusing and informative. The perfect book if you like music and iPods (hmm, surely those two go together...?). Helps if you are a 40-something to match Jones' age and memories. I'm old enough to have enjoyed every page.

Well worth buying (0/0 people found this helpful)

If this appeals to you then buy it. It's not a great book, but it is an enjoyable easy read.

It's apparently a series of magazine articles put together so it's good for dipping in and out of. I read it cover to cover. And ever since I've been re-reading whole chapters at random.

I enjoyed his musings on jazz. It's an area that he's demystified a bit for me. Some good funny quotes are used when he tries to explain what jazz is - "When the band's playing with the drummer, it's rock. When the drummer's playing with the band, it's jazz", "Why do some people automatically hate jazz? It saves time later on."

I read an interview in a newspaper with a jazz musician. He said that if you play something that five people like, then you're considered commercial.

He has some interesting observations about the state of the music industry. Such as his observation that modern albums have too much filler on them, especially those by major artists.

Also the stuff on how and why the iPod came to be created was information I hadn't read before. As is the details on Steve Jobs interests in music.

The extensive lists of songs in the appendices is for the most part pointless. There's nothing worse than other peoples taste in music. And his fondness for easy listening is difficult to understand.

I certainly got my moneys worth when I bought this book.

Music Fanatic gets sympathy (3/4 people found this helpful)

An entertaining and interesting book, especially for someone with what appears to be a similar taste in music as myself, and a similar obsession with collecting music.

The lists at the end are a little unnecesary, particulalrly those which are literally just that, lists; others explain why they are on the list, and I must admit were interesting and also generated sales for some of the tracks that are on there, particularly the jazz list. However, this is a minor quibble, and at least they are at the end as appendicies, and not scattered through the main body of the text.

The book does not solely restrict itself to music however; providing an interseting overview in the development of the Apple company, which may not be to everyones taste, but shows how design has played an important part in the development of all Apple products.

Anyone with an obsession in music should read this (or their partners should!) as it would appear we are not alone; there are others out there whose need to purchase music is compulsive.

Now, which playlist is calling for me?

I ENJOYED LEARNING MORE ABOUT DYLAN JONES, THE AUTHOR! (4/6 people found this helpful)

If you like iPods and you like music, buy this book. It's not the greatest, but the anecdotes about Mr. Jones's life are interesting.

He does like to name-drop, but don't we all. Visit my website to see photos of me with Clint Eastwood, Ted Kennedy, and others. LOL ... (but I'm serious.)

IPod, Therefore I Am: A Personal Journey Through Music

Dylan Jones

Reader Reviews:

iHistory (0/0 people found this helpful)

Like 'High Fidelity' but with facts (1/1 people found this helpful)

Well worth buying (0/0 people found this helpful)

Music Fanatic gets sympathy (3/4 people found this helpful)

I ENJOYED LEARNING MORE ABOUT DYLAN JONES, THE AUTHOR! (4/6 people found this helpful)

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