Run to the Hills: Iron Maiden, the Authorized Biography Paperback – October 30, 2004

I have been a die-hard Iron Maiden fan since roughly 1990. Having read several interviews, articles, etc. about the band this book gave me a great insight into the world of Maiden like no other source has before. I already knew all the big, major stories of the band - how they formed, hooked up with their management, got a record deal, made it big, etc., but "Run To The Hills" offers a lot of detail into the lives of the various band members, how they grew up, when and how they started playing music and ultimatley how they ended up in the world's biggest heavy metal band. There's quite a bit of humor in this book, as well as some sad tales. If you are just a casual fan of the music, it's still a very enjoyable read and if you are a hardcore fan of Eddie and the boys like myself, you probably have already read this book.

Killer Maiden bio ! Great read if your a fan or even just curious to know more about one of the greatest metal bands of all time . I thoroughly enjoyed & recommend this book !

Desde el incio este libro se nota que est escrito por alguien que conoce de Rock yque porsupuesto conoce a la banda. Mick Wall nos introduce en el naciente mundo del Heavy Metal britanico y da luces de cada hecho que transformo en histora a Iron Maiden. Si bien no hay muchas fotografias que acompañen el libro, no es menor que la historia de cada integrante te da luces de como la fortuna o una alineaciòn de planetas junto a la gente indicada en el lugar indicado. Si quieres formar tu propia banda te sera muy ùtil y si quieres ser un representante te da mayor informaciòn aun sobretodo por el papel de Rod Smalwood. Los testimonios son de primera fuente y de seguro te sorprenderas con algunos relatos, quien trato de grabar como Queen, quièn queria ser baterista en un comienzo, la elecciòn de Blaze como reemplazo, los shows en que Dickinson solo murmuro las canciones, el porque de la salida de Clive Burr etc, etc. Es la unica y mejor biografia de Maiden, aunque llega al 2004 de seguro que una 3ra ediciòn llegarà al 2008.

I've been a Maiden fan since 1980. I always loved the music, mostly the early stuff till the Somewhere in Time album I guess. I've seen the band here in NY almost every tour except the Blaze Bayley years. Since the bands been back together with the (Harris/Murray/Smith/Dickinson/McBrain/Gerrs)lineup. I bought and listened to those albums, as well as Ed Hunter. That said I thought the book was more about Steve Harris' drive and focus and not about being an ass kissing fan book. I always wanted to know why Paul Dianno, Clive Burr, Dennis Stratton and Doug Samson all left the band, now I know. It was information like this that kept me reading. I read it through in 3 days. I couldn't put it down. I am a huge Maiden/Priest fan and I would like to read a book similar to this on Judas Priest. If you know someone who is starting a band this would probably be a pretty good book to demonstrate how tough it can really be. That you really need a lot of luck and determination to make it.

This is a really great book. Not only as it is the biography of one of the greatest heavy metal bands: Iron Maiden written by excellent writer Mick Wall (of Kerrang / Classic Rock fame). The book perfectly describes the bands unique determination to keep playing and growing continuously as band members are exchanged and overall music trends are changing.The band's story is very inspirational and instills the mantra to never give up and keep fighting for what you thing is right will give results. Well recommended to all fans of music.

If you are at all interested in IM, then you should read this book because it is worth your time. On the whole it is well written, informative, and there's little sense of "interference" from being the "authorised" bio of the band. Further, the text takes seriously each phase of the band's changes, and there's no sense of nostalgia or lament in it. It reads quickly; the band's success makes a compelling narrative. It would be 3 1/2 stars if possible, really.So it's very useful as a general history, but there are a few drawbacks. First -- and this is specific to this edition, presumably -- other than the fine print on the title page, there's no indication that Mick Wall did not write the whole thing (thus making the authorial "I" of Dave Ling in Chapter 16 sort of deceptive/confusing). And the last few chapters, written by Chris Ingham, are decidedly inferior in the writing (lots of exclamation points!)and much too short. The book rushes to a rather anti-climactic close.Second, there's very little discussion of the music itself, so if you're interested in what made the typical Harris "galloping" bass, for instance, you'll be no wiser. It didn't need to be a musical textbook, but when dealing with one of the more musically serious bands in rock, some depth might've been welcome. (There are a few mentions of "time changes" but that's about it.)Third, even when reviewing the songs, there's very little explanation of the many references. How did Steve Harris, for example, who dropped out of school as soon as he was able, learn about Alexander the Great? Why was he so interested? How 'bout "Run to the Hills"? Where'd that come from? In the book the songs seem very context-free and there's little sense of the depth of the band's interests. There's also no mention of the controversy surrounding the awful "Dance of Death" cover.This work was more "Fear of the Dark" than "Powerslave."

Disregard those negative responses. This book is amazing and very knowledgable. Any metal fan would enjoy it, and even super Maiden freaks will learn quite a bit from it too.It's an amazing biography from one of the greatest/most influential heavy metal bands. Everyone should read it!

Mick Wall doesn't try to influence the reader with suggestions that any particular period of the group was better than another. Nor does his own personal opinions of which album was their best appear at all. This is just a well-balanced overview of one of the most important bands in rock music. For those interested in a sex and drugs book, this isn't for you. A great read, I couldn't put it down.

Book arrived exactly as described. It's a lovely book which I started last night and can't put down. Received a nice note from the seller. Really personal service. Would rate the seller 10/10.

Great book. Absolute must for every fan.

Great band, great book.

Je suis un fan d'Iron Maiden. J'ai adoré. Très intéressant. Dans un anglais britanique lisible sans dénaturer. Il est intéressant de voir de l'intérieur du groupe les événements.

Excellent! Item as described, in very very good condition, sent in bubble folder! Almost as new! Postage was reasonable! Thank you very much! Highly recommended!