Aerosmith, ‘Ultimate Illustrated History’ – Book Review

The long and adventurous career of Aerosmith is chronicled with words, photos and an impressive display of merchandise and memorabilia in the new book 'Aerosmith: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Boston Bad Boys.'

The book features 200 oversized pages filled with detailed insider accounts of the band's rise, fall, resurrection and current drama-filled reign atop the rock and roll mountaintop.

It also includes a ridiculous amount of pictures featuring the band backstage and in action, as well as photos of backstage passes, magazine ads and t-shirts from each of the band's albums and tours.

Everything from the band's formation in 1970 to the controversy caused within the band by Steven Tyler taking a job as a judge on 'American Idol' last year is covered in great detail by author Richard Bienstock and an extensive list of contributing journalists.

One of the most impressive things about 'Ultimate Illustrated History,' in fact, is the way that all eras of Aerosmith's history are covered in equal detail.

The commercially unsuccessful (and highly underrated) 1985 reunion album 'Done With Mirrors,' for example, is explored in full. Both the story behind its creation and an in-depth critical review are included, just as they are for more famous and better-selling albums such as 'Toys in the Attic' and 'Permanent Vacation.'

Because of the comprehensive nature of the text, photos and memorabilia featured in this book, and its willingness to explore the ups and downs of Aerosmith's career in nearly equal measure, 'Aerosmith: the Ultimate Illustrated History' paints a full, complete portrait of the band, and gives even the most knowledgeable fan some new things to look at and think about.