Miss O’Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles,The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved

Miss O’Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles,The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved
An Impression of the Book Written by Chris O’Dell with Katherine Ketcham
Ernie Hooker, CADC II, NCAC II

When I was asked to read the book, Miss O’Dell,  I almost changed my mind when I discovered it was 381 pages long and part of the focus was on The Beatles, The Stones, and Bob Dylan. 

My interest in those bands was very mild as I much preferred other artists of that era. I proceeded to read it primarily because of the past quality of Katherine Kectham’s work. It was a pleasant surprise, in that the pages were immediately engaging, motivating me to continue to read a few more pages.

Many of the books I have read seem to have a certain rhythm to them; you read several dull pages and then there is a really interesting part about three paragraphs long and this trend continues to be a pattern repeated throughout the book. Very few authors appear to be able to start out interesting and stay that way page after page.

Miss O’Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles,The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved was an exception to this pattern.  It held my attention page after page. 

This Book is a Genuine Good Read 

There are several different tracks going at the same time. There is the history of the development of a whole new type of music which is a serious part of changing the world.  There is the Cultural Revolution and upheaval it creates.  Yet, another layer is a personal history, on a rather deep level, of living life immersed in the middle of these decades of dramatic change.

Part of the texture of the new genre of music includes drugs and sex with the rock and roll along with an abundance alcohol. The description of the addiction problem is clear and typical, in that, recognizing what the symptoms are and what causes the disease only becomes clear in retrospect. The pain, the loneliness, the frustration, and the ecstasy are all described in great clarity.

The insight into the character of the various individuals who are part of the bands or associated in some way with the groups is a complete story in itself. The only way to understand the highs, lows, the power

of the music, and the lifestyle of those in power is to read the book.

If you read for pure enjoyment, read this book.

Footnote: Katherine Ketcham is the co-author of several ground breaking books in the field of addiction, biographies, and nutrition.  Her books, Under the Influence, Beyond Under the Influence, and Teens Under the Influence have helped many people to break the chains of addiction.  The Under the Influence books bring home the fact addiction is truly a disease, just like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc.  Ketcham’s work is meticulous and interesting.

We are proud to say, Katherine Ketcham is one of Living Life…Boomer Style’s top 100 Boomer Hot females of 2009.  Cast your vote for Ketcham to become the Number One Boomer Hot female of 2009.