Woodstock Revisited: 50 Far Out, Groovy, Peace-Loving, Flashback-Inducing Stories From Those Who Were There

by Susan Reynolds

This collection contains fifty stories written by people who attended the original Woodstock Festival in 1969. Since all the books that preceded it have focused on the musicians, promoters, and staff, this book will be the first one that chronicles the audience's experience in an up close and personal way. This book documents the event itself, but also provides a mesmerizing portrait of America as that tumultuous decade came to a close. It is nostalgic, historical, and a fascinating read that will appeal to all Baby Boomers, their offspring, and anyone who wonders what it was really like--and what became of all those "hippies."

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Pop Culture, Biography Memoir

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Susan Reynolds's most recent book is "Fire Up Your Writing Brain: How to Use Proven Neuroscience to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Writer." She previously co-authored "Train Your Brain to Get Happy" and "Train Your Brain to Get Rich." Other recent books are "Healthiest You Ever" and "Meditation for Moms." She has also authored "Everything Enneagram, Change Your Shoes, Change Your Life, and co-authored Everything Personal Finance for Single Mothers," and "One-Income Household." Ms. Reynolds is the creator and editor of Adams Media¹s My Hero series, which includes "My Teacher Is My Hero" (2008), "My Mom Is My Hero" (2009), "My Dad Is My Hero" (2009), and "My Dog Is My Hero" (2010). She also edited "Woodstock Revisited, 50 far out, groovy, peace-inducing, flashback-inducing stories from those who were there" (2009). Ms. Reynolds has a B.A. in Psychology and has often written about psychological concepts, as well as edited a plethora of nonfiction books about multiple and varied subjects. In 2002, Ms. Reynolds uprooted her life and spent a year in Paris, reinventing herself, and her career trajectory. Upon return, she founded Literary Cottage, a literary consulting firm based in Boston, through which she coaches writers. Ms. Reynolds currently writes two blogs for mega-trafficked Psychologytoday.com.

Reviews

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this way back in my teenage years thanks to a friend and I came across a used copy awhile ago and figured why not? I’m glad I picked it up because I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting these stories. I’ve always been absolutely fascinated by Woodstock and the culture surrounding it and it was so awesome to read accounts from people who actually attended the legendary festival. I’ve seen quite a few movies about Woodstock but something about this book and hearing first hand accounts in the written form just takes the cake. I’d say that I’d have loved to be there but I don’t think I could handle the sheer insanity of it, I’ll stick to movies and now books about the phenomenon!

[Dachokie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puts you in the mud ... but not necessarily front-stage, February 16, 2010

I must preface this review with an admission that my passion for the Woodstock Festival and its place in history have only been fortified over the years. My first introduction to Woodstock was watching a news report covering the 10th anniversary (I was 13 years old at the time) ... it caught me as an extraordinary event. Then came the various "history of rock and roll" specials that were aired as prime-time specials (in the pre-cable days) ... Woodstock was always mentioned as a musical milestone. The music of the era has always been a part of my life, as I recall pleading for my mother to give me all the rock and roll albums she planned to sell at our annual garage sale (for $.10 each!). But, it was when I wrote a heavily footnoted research paper my sophomore year in high school (1981) that I realized how significant an event Woodstock truly was and began lamenting that I was born too late. I even ordered a replica Woodstock staff T-shirt from the back of Rolling Stone magazine and currently own an "authentic" ticket for day 3 that was never sold when the concert became free.

Fortunately, the further away we move from such historic events, the more technology has evolved to bring us back with blogs, books, re-mastered video/sound, lost footage, etc.. The fortieth anniversary had me looking for new Woodstock material to read, which led me to purchase "Woodstock Revisited"; it was one of many books I have recently purchased on the subject.

What I immediately liked about "Woodstock Revisited" was the format ... 50 brief stories from people that were at Woodstock, but did not necessarily share the same experience (even the story of one person who passed the opportunity to attend). The more I read the personal vignettes, the more I lamented not being there myself to share the bond with those who did attend. The number of festival goers in their mid to late teens just thumbing rides to go to a concert in such a remote area ... it sadly makes you realize how far away we are from those days where personal safety was rarely given a second thought (unless you were sent to Vietnam, of course). Aside from the concert itself being declared a disaster area, many of the stories involved mini-disasters such as no food, shelter or transportation (as many of the stories involved vehicles that didn't make it the whole way) ... but all recollections shared a general sense of optimism, regardless of the situations that were faced. The recollections varied: some vivid and some hazy ... some were about the hippie movement and some were about the music ... drug use was a recurring theme, but not the focus of any individual story. The most common element was the realization that something significant was happening and they were a part of it.

The book puts you right where the action was ... and, interestingly enough, it wasn't always in front of the stage ... or even within an earshot of the music. There was plenty of action happing all around the tiny town of Bethel that wild weekend. "Woodstock Revisited" take those colorful tales and weaves them into a tapestry that not only covers the stage, but the myriad of venues that comprised the entire event. It is not a book about the music, it is about the people of that generation ... my parent's generation. The music may have been what drove the lemmings to the sea of humanity at Yasgur's farm, but it is overwhelmingly evident that the music was secondary to the community that lasted for those three days. "Woodstock Revisited" lets you taste 50 different flavors of the Woodstock experience ... my only gripe is that I wanted more.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woodstock Revisited was a book of very short stories about Woodstock. If they went, were going to go, worked the event and even just driving by. A huge success for peace and love in the world. This book made me think of simpler times and wishing we were back in the Sixties. The stories spoke to me in a deep personal level.

Woodstock will probably never happen again and I wasn't even a thought when it happened. But, I love going back and reading great books such as this one. A definite read for the hippie in all of us.

Peace!

[Rachel Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of stories from those who attended (or wish they attended) Woodstock. An easy read that’s enjoyable and lighthearted especially if you’re a fan of the festival. The “Woodstock Glossary” in the back is helpful if you’re a Woodstock novice. I think this is a must have for your collection if you’re a fan of the festival or hippie culture.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best writing but a fun, quick read.

[Jeffrey Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a little more insight from this book. As you can imagine there are quite a few stories in here from people who saw the movie afterwards and had a hard time believing it was the same concert. I guess it leaves you with an idea of just how large in scope this festival was. How even someone who was there could only have experienced a fraction of it. Others make the claim that they can be seen in the movie. If anything it's these recollections that force me to keep going back to the movie to see if I can pinpoint them, making it a great companion piece for the movie. Some of the stories are amusing while others leave you scratching your head as to why they were included at all. More than a few are authored by people who didn't even make it there. One of the more amusing of these stories is of a teen who is given an ultimatum by his mother, if you go don't bother coming back. Another features a group who very nearly made it but their car breaks down. As with any anthology you've got some good ones and some duds. I was hoping for a more enriching experience, hoping to feel like I'd just been transported. It's not a bad book, or even disappointing, but suffers from the brief four page limitation of each story. At best it leaves me longing for more. If you're like me and you weren't alive in the 60's but enjoy the movies and music you may really like Woodstock Revisited, but as for me I had mixed feelings about it.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy 40th Anniversry Woodstock! This book is a collection of peoples personal experiences at Woodstock. Each person wrote about their own experience (in 3-4 pages) and what they walked away with. The book is about so much more than just the music! You gain an understanding of what happened there and its amzing that 400,000 people could enjoy a peace-filled weeknd in such adverse conditions. It couldn't happen today. A great look at the youth culture of 69.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting but some of the stories were redundant, took acid, got naked....some people didn't even go yet their stories were used. I did love the list of facts at the back of the book. I just gave the book to a co-worker who actually was a Woodstock and am waiting to hear what he thinks. Still, I am jealous we will never see the likes of Woodstock ever again. No matter what, all those people (minus the few tragedies) were seriously at a once in anyone's lifetime event. Wow man.

[Sarah Narit · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you go out on stage, if you are positive, you can help direct the energy of the audience to go positive. If you are negative, you could help them to go negative. The choice is yours, and life is energy with a choice of going positive or negative." - Swami Satchidananda (woodstock guru)

i came to know about woodstock thru my late brother when i was still in HS and i have never forgotten about it.
it was amazing to read stories from the people who were there.

[Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 stars for the stories by those who were actually there and experienced the collective sighs and highs that was to reverberate throughout the world for generations to come. No stars for those who missed the boat but continue to tread (trod?) after the wake of Woodstock. And negative stars for that reverend with a PhD who missed it big time but continues to spout superlatives about it--what are you even doing in this book?

[Barbara A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm in it! Many of the stories (including mine) seem pretty watered down, but then you have to remember our age, which means we probably have kids and may not want to share all the details! Still, brought back a lot of memories (mostly good).

[Cindy May]

Great stories. Would definitely recommend it.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

More on my recent obsession. I liked hearing stories from folks who attended, as the other books I've read have been a lot more about the planning and people involved in putting it on.

[Jo Pannett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book ... i received the book today and couldn't put it down ... it was really interesting to read about different people's adventures and thoughts about their Woodstock experiences