The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock & Roll Narrative

by K L Doty, Jack Russell

368 pages, Hardcover

Published July 12, 2024

Reviews

[Tony Farinella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure why this book has so many positive reviews on Goodreads or on Amazon. It is one of the most poorly written and incomprehensible books I’ve ever read. Everything about this book just screams amateur hour.

Jack Russell was the lead singer of Great White, the popular 80’s rock band. He’s no longer with us, so I don’t feel comfortable criticizing him too much, especially since I don’t know much about him.

However, I’ve heard stories about him, and he’s lived a wild and crazy life, but I can confidently say I still don’t know much about him. The book is filled with glaring typos, and more than half of the book is photos and also features quotes from rockers who share their opinions on Jack Russell.

I don’t know if this is his fault or his co-author’s fault. The whole book feels like it was rushed out to the presses, and either Jack wasn’t in the right place physically or mentally to contribute to this book or this book didn’t have a sense of direction.

I read the book in 3 hours, not because I enjoyed it so much I couldn’t put it down. It was because it’s barely a book and it desperately needed an editor.

[Anthony Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much more about Jack Russel and Great White through reading this book! I had never really known all of this detail and actually understand the contribution made here better now. The part of the book directly about Jack was great. The interviews in the last half of the book were not so great. I would suggest the interviews be used to make the main part of the book longer and deeper rather than just having the word for word comments provided as they are.

Now going back and listening to more Great White!

[Jenette Maitland-Tomblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book after Jack Russell's death last month. Most of what is in the book I didn't know, with the exception of the Station fire. Jack displays a bit of prescience towards, making this a very poignant read. Great White is one of my favorite bands, and I very much enjoyed this book. Rest in peace, Jack Russell.

[Eric Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. Easy to read and follow. I have seen Great White a number of times and grew up on their music. The book is sad and inspiring. Just like all of us…. He made some bad choices along the way. He doesn’t sugar coat things and will say “this is how I remember it”. If you like Great White this will be worth your time.

[Speee1dy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love a great rock biography . Jack is one of my favorite singers.

If you like great white, read this.

[Mariah Startzman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not well edited. Many typos especially in the second section.

[Brett buckner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a haunted autobiography, haunted by regret, addiction, tragedy and the trauma that followed. Jack Russell, lead singer for the underappreciated rock group, battled health issues, drug addiction and a self-diagnosed case of "lead singer's disease," and managed to make some pretty good music along the way. Sadly, Russell's life and band devolved into the rock 'n' roll trappings of sex and drugs ... fun to start but are always an eventual deathknell, especially for Russell who's demons lead to a chronic history of health issues that ultimately derailed any sustained success Great White hoped to achieve. But Russell owns it all and admits his role. Russell, to his credit, also doesn't shy away from the horrors of the The Station fire that claimed the lives of 100 Great White fans. The fire wasn't Russell or the band's fault, but he became the face of the tragedy, and just like some of the survivors of that terrible night, Russell never really recovered. While this book is solidly written, it's incomplete as Russell died before it was completed. The final third of the book is friends and peers telling tales of Russell's life for him.

[Laura Steigerwald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️