Ghost Rider - Now we're talking! [Archive]

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nevada72

11-07-2008, 07:14 PM

After my dissapointment with Long Way Round, I have found Ghost Rider by Neil Peart to be an excellent read. As stated in my thread about LWR, it's about one's expectations upon starting a book. LWR was not what I expected - to me, whiney and not as much about the trip as I had hoped. Ghost Rider is exactly what I expected and more. It definitely covers the trip (and in wonderful, relevant detail), but also the thoughts and feeling of the author during the trip. As you may know, Neil (drummer for Rush) lost his 19 year old daughter and wife in about a years time. He set out on a motorcycle adventure to deal with the huge loss. I could totally relate as I have a 19 year old daughter and a wife I love very much. To lose one would be devastating. Both unthinkable. You have to admire the fortitude of this guy and it did not go unnoticed by this reader that, despite the living nightmare, he comes off as far less whiney than Ewan and Charlie. Also, he is an excellent writer. One might assume that a rock star drummer might be all about the party and loud music and not so much about the talent and insight. Not at all the case here. Excellent writing by a very intelligent, well read, well traveled, individual that I could relate to.

Highly recommend!

LTroy

11-07-2008, 07:31 PM

After my dissapointment with Long Way Round, I have found Ghost Rider by Neil Peart to be an excellent read. ...snip...

Highly recommend!

And when you're done with Ghost Rider, read Roadshow also by Neil Peart. It chronicles the bands 30th anniversary tour and Neil's travels, via motorcycle, to all the venues. It's as well written as Ghost Rider, but on a happier note. I can't imagine the emotional pain he endured at the loss of daughter then his wife.

Paul_F

11-07-2008, 07:47 PM

I have to agree that Ghost Rider and Road Show are good books by Peart and Long Way Round to be tedious read at times. However, I found their Long Way Down book to be a much more enjoyable read than LWR.

nevada72

11-07-2008, 08:09 PM

I found their Long Way Down book to be a much more enjoyable read than LWR.

Good to hear as it's the next book I'm reading.

Mrs2beers

11-07-2008, 10:00 PM

Also ,Traveling Music and Masked Rider are enjoyable reads. :thumb

nevada72

11-08-2008, 08:42 AM

I should say that my high praise has a lot to do with 2 factors -

-I identify with the author. Aside from the perceptions colored by grief, his take on what he observes is that of a like minded individual. I hope that I never have to go through what he did, but if I did, I hope I would hold it together as he did. You can bet that I too will pack along the Macallen (maybe Balvenie or Lagavulin depending on availabilty) on my long rides! :)

-I've travelled the very roads and towns he did. Even his description of "facist" remote border crossings was all too familiar. It was really cool to see that he rode Hwy 99 north of Vancouver and deemed it one of the all time greatest motorcycle roads. That was the road that I first road a BMW (a GS too!) on and it formed a lasting impression. In fact, I was so moved by the experience that I owned my own BMW within a week of that ride.

The BMW that started it all for me parked along Hwy 99.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7623/bcgssi2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Brettendress

11-08-2008, 08:56 AM

Don't forget that along with four books Rush and Neil have thirty years of music that to me being a life long fan of their work creates the sound track of my life as I ride my GS around the country I enjoy their music on my I-pod. The books only add to the journey, never forget the music, it takes you on a seperate journey all together.

Brett Endress
Altoona pa

04 1150 gs
1970 /5
VFR
Scrambler
Kaw Vulcan

The_Veg

11-09-2008, 10:31 PM

Ghost Rider was very good, but I found the long, dragging sections of the Letters to Brutus to be quite tedious.

glurkus

11-10-2008, 06:38 AM

Ghost Rider was very good, but I found the long, dragging sections of the Letters to Brutus to be quite tedious.

I agree, skip the letters. The rest of the book is excellent.

bgillie

11-10-2008, 06:53 AM

...And if you still want more from Neil, visit his website www.neilpeart.net. You can read about his continuing travels in the "News" section. Every few months he posts a fairly lengthy journal of his rides, shows, projects, etc. All of which are fun to read. He just posted a new one recently.

I've been a huge fan of Rush most of my life, and up until I read Neil's books I was convinced I had to have a Harley. He inspired me to at least check out the BMW brand. Now every time I get on my RT, I'm glad I did.

rvb1019

11-11-2008, 05:56 PM

I hate to disagree with y'all but I found Ghost Rider to be VERY DEPRESSING!!!!!:violin

Given what Neil went through- first his daughter's passing and then his wife, I don't blame him. I muddled my way through the first 200 pages but man, I wanted to ride off of a cliff. I bought the book about five years ago but gave up for fear of developing a drinking problem. :bottle

Maybe I should buy the book again and give it another try. Now that I'm in the 40+ crowd, maybe it will be a better read to me.

Paul_F

11-12-2008, 08:42 AM

Rush and Neil have thirty years of music that to me being a life long fan of their work creates the sound track of my life as I ride my GS around the country I enjoy their music on my I-pod. The books only add to the journey, never forget the music, it takes you on a seperate journey all together.

Having lived in a bubble, I had never heard of Rush until I read N. Peart's "Ghost Rider". Immediately went to the library and checked out all of the available Rush CDs. There were quite a few. I forced myself to listen to every track. I have no idea how this band has survived for so long. I like the two Peart books that I've read, but I am no fan of the music. Feel free to call me no connoisseur of classic rock. Each to their own.

JanMiller

11-12-2008, 10:27 AM

Another good book of this type is "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon. He's in a cage, but it is not hard to imagine doing the same thing on a bike..

SIBUD

11-12-2008, 12:54 PM

nevada72

11-12-2008, 01:13 PM

I bought Roadshow, read it and gave it away.....I found it to be nothing but: "Poor me,....leave me alone you fans, poor me, it's hard being famous, why can't they leave me alone, poor me."

That's interesting because Ghost Rider, so far, has not been like that at all. There have been parts where he alludes to being famous and the pitfalls as such by referencing aliases and the corrosponding IDs. I'm a pretty big music lover, and I used to enjoy Rush in my youth (20 + years ago). But frankly, Neil Peart could have walked right up to me, introduced himself by name and told me he played in a band as a drummer and I would have no idea who he was or with whom he played unless he spelled it out. Was he really ever mobbed by fans? Usually that's the front man.

SIBUD

11-12-2008, 02:19 PM

That's interesting because Ghost Rider, so far, has not been like that at all. There have been parts where he alluddes to being famous and the pitfalls as such by referencing aliases and the corrosponding IDs. I'm a pretty big music lover, and I used to enjoy Rush in my youth (20 + years ago). But frankly, Neil Peart could have walked right up to me, introduced himself by name and told me he played in a band as a drummer and I would have no idea who he was or with whom he played unless he spelled it out. Was he really ever mobbed by fans? Usually that's the front man.

Ghost Rider and Road Show are day and night. And yes, according to his accounts, he can hardly eat a meal without fans pestering him for autographs etc.

bgillie

11-12-2008, 03:16 PM

I bought Roadshow, read it and gave it away on this forum.

I found it to be nothing but: "Poor me, people always want to talk to me, I can't get any privacy, poor me, leave me alone you fans, poor me, it's hard being famous, why can't they leave me alone, poor me."

So be it.

Did you miss the other 90% of the book where he vividly describes the great rides he had during that tour? His books inspire me to want to ride some of the same roads he has.

Until you have walked in his shoes, it's not fair to criticize the way he feels. I think you might be misreading the "poor me" message. In fact, on several occasions throughout the books, he says that he feels uneasy and embarrassed when a fan recognizes him. Like he's undeserving of the praise. He just feels like a regular guy whose job just happens to be writer and musician. Now there were also a couple of instances that he didn't like where fans followed his bus. He even had one fan sneak onto his bus looking for an autograph. Wouldn't you feel like your privacy had been invaded in that same situation?

There is a difference between fans and fanatics. I think Neil has respect for his fans. If he didn't, I don't think he would work and rehearse as hard as he does.

SIBUD

11-12-2008, 03:31 PM

Did you miss the other 90% of the book where he vividly describes the great rides he had during that tour? His books inspire me to want to ride some of the same roads he has.

Until you have walked in his shoes, it's not fair to criticize the way he feels. I think you might be misreading the "poor me" message. In fact, on several occasions throughout the books, he says that he feels uneasy and embarrassed when a fan recognizes him. Like he's undeserving of the praise. He just feels like a regular guy whose job just happens to be writer and musician. Now there were also a couple of instances that he didn't like where fans followed his bus. He even had one fan sneak onto his bus looking for an autograph. Wouldn't you feel like your privacy had been invaded in that same situation?

There is a difference between fans and fanatics. I think Neil has respect for his fans. If he didn't, I don't think he would work and rehearse as hard as he does.

There is a price to fame, and I don't have to have walked in his shoes to know and understand that fact.

Hardly a regular job. I mean, how many are there?

Dedicated to his craft? Sure. Hard worker? Sure. Famous? Sure

Loved Ghost Rider.

To each their own.