This Is All a Dream We Dreamed

An Oral History of the Grateful Dead

By: Blair Jackson, David Gans

Narrated by: Holter Graham, Fred Berman, Oliver Wyman, Arthur Bishop, Eliza Foss, Helen Litchfield, Cynthia Hopkins, David Gans

In This Is All a Dream We Dreamed, two of the most well-respected chroniclers of the Dead, Blair Jackson and David Gans, reveal the band's story through the words of its members, their creative collaborators and peers, and a number of diverse fans, stitching together a multitude of voices into a seamless oral tapestry. Capturing the ebullient spirit at the group's core, Jackson and Gans weave together a musical saga that examines the music and subculture that developed into its own economy, touching fans from all walks of life, from penniless hippies to celebrities, and at least one U.S. vice president.

This definitive book traces the Dead's evolution from its humble beginnings as a folk/bluegrass band playing small venues in Palo Alto to the feral psychedelic warriors and stadium-filling Americana jam band that blazed all the way through to the 90s. Along the way, we hear from many who were touched by the Dead—from David Crosby and Miles Davis, to Ken Kesey, Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia, and a host of Merry Pranksters, to legendary concert promoter Bill Graham, and others.

Throughout their journey the Dead broke (and sometimes rewrote) just about every rule of the music business, defying conventional wisdom and charting their own often unusual course, in the process creating a business model unlike any seen before. Musically, too, they were pioneers, fusing inspired ideas and techniques with intuition and fearlessness to craft an utterly unique and instantly recognizable sound. Their music centered on collective improvisation, spiritual and social democracy, trust, generosity, and fun. They believed that you can make something real, spontaneous, and compelling happen with other musicians if you trust and encourage each other, and jam as if your life depended on it. And when it worked, there was nothing else like it.

Whether you're part of the new generation of Deadheads who are just discovering their music or a devoted fan who has traded Dead tapes for decades, you will want to listen in on the irresistible conversations and anecdotes shared in these pages. You'll hear stories you haven't heard before, possibly from voices that may be unfamiliar to you, and the tales that unfold will shed a whole new light on a long and inspiring musical odyssey.

Includes archival recordings of Grateful Dead band members and fans.

©2015 David Gans and Blair Jackson (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Really Good. Gave me a new appreciation for band.

I thought I knew the story but learned a lot. gave me a new appreciation for The Dead.

makes you wish you were there

books is from many different points of view, help to understand the performing point of view. and how they came to their setlistidea ideas

Better to be ahead...

What did you love best about This Is All a Dream We Dreamed?

If you love the Grateful Dead- you will love this.

What was one of the most memorable moments of This Is All a Dream We Dreamed?

Too many to list.

What three words best describe the narrators’s performance?

Tough. It is tough because we are so familiar with these voices in reality, listening to someone 'play' Jerry, Bobby and so on- it is difficult. I got over it mostly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Another must view!

Dead Book

Would you consider the audio edition of This Is All a Dream We Dreamed to be better than the print version?

This book is one of the few I have not read in hard copy. I kinda stopped reading GD books because there was rarely something new. It was cool hearing this book for a couple of weeks going to work and back home. Nice feel .

What was one of the most memorable moments of This Is All a Dream We Dreamed?

Early GD stuff.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Warm and not showy like trying to be any ot the members. Maybe the guy who played Phil was trying and he pulled it off.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Early GD was my time 67-72

Any additional comments?

NFA

Gr8 Time

voice acting is very annoying at times but probably pretty accurate!! overearnest conflict-avoidant visionary rockin hippies get their minds blown and destroy themselves with drugs, money, and hot hamburger sandwiches only in the USA baybay RIP jerry RIP piggy