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Monsters of River and Rock: My Life as Iron Maiden’s Compulsive Angler
Updated for paperback with a brand new chapter on Parrot Cay Island.
Legendary Iron Maiden guitarist takes you to the final frontier of fishing.
Welcome to the world of Adrian Smith, playing onstage to millions of fans - while behind the scenes he explores far-flung rivers, seas and lakes, waterways and weirs, in a fearless quest for fishing nirvana.
Hooked on the angling adrenaline rush since first catching perch from East London canals on outings with his father, Adrian grew up to be in one of the most successful rock bands in history. On tour, his gear went with him. The fish got bigger. The adventures more extreme.
In Monsters of River and Rock you'll hear about his first a whopping 100-pounder from the roaring rapids of Canada's Fraser River that nearly wiped him out mid-Maiden tour. Then there's the close shave with a shark off the Virgin Islands whilst wading waist-deep for bonefish. Not to mention an enviable list of specimen coarse fish from the UK.
Come to the riverbank with Adrian and cast a line on the wild side.
'Outstanding' - Times Radio
'Writes beautifully' - The Sun
'Beautifully written account' - Guardian
'Essential reading' - The Music Radar
'Candid wit and cracking anecdotes' - Classic Rock magazine
Legendary Iron Maiden guitarist takes you to the final frontier of fishing.
Welcome to the world of Adrian Smith, playing onstage to millions of fans - while behind the scenes he explores far-flung rivers, seas and lakes, waterways and weirs, in a fearless quest for fishing nirvana.
Hooked on the angling adrenaline rush since first catching perch from East London canals on outings with his father, Adrian grew up to be in one of the most successful rock bands in history. On tour, his gear went with him. The fish got bigger. The adventures more extreme.
In Monsters of River and Rock you'll hear about his first a whopping 100-pounder from the roaring rapids of Canada's Fraser River that nearly wiped him out mid-Maiden tour. Then there's the close shave with a shark off the Virgin Islands whilst wading waist-deep for bonefish. Not to mention an enviable list of specimen coarse fish from the UK.
Come to the riverbank with Adrian and cast a line on the wild side.
'Outstanding' - Times Radio
'Writes beautifully' - The Sun
'Beautifully written account' - Guardian
'Essential reading' - The Music Radar
'Candid wit and cracking anecdotes' - Classic Rock magazine
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2020
32 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Smith
4 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Adrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English guitarist, best known as a member of Iron Maiden, for whom he writes songs and performs live backing vocals on some tracks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_...
Adrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English guitarist, best known as a member of Iron Maiden, for whom he writes songs and performs live backing vocals on some tracks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_...
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 20, 2020
Disclaimer: I am the biggest Adrian Smith fan on the planet. I would pay good money just to see Adrian tune his guitar.
Although primarily a collection of fishing anecdotes and stories as opposed to a classic autobiography, there is plenty in there for those looking for his time in Iron Maiden and his formative years.
Although I have absolutely zero interest in fishing in any of its forms, I found that the book is so well written that I enjoyed his stories nonetheless. It's perhaps testament to Adrian's surprising skill as a writer and storyteller that he's able to make these passages compelling. They're often set to the backdrop of some exotic locale, or his fishing target for the day is the culmination of a months long fishing campaign. The real fishing aficionados will be pleased to know that Adrian goes into great detail when describing his fishing rig (including gauges of line, bait etc) as well as the techniques used.
As a huge Iron Maiden fan, I was drawn to the possibility of more in-depth content covering his time in the band, the circumstances surrounding his exit in 1990 and eventual return. Adrian shares stories surrounding the recording of key albums in Maiden's history, anecdotes from the studio and the origin of a handful of his writing contributions. These often serve as the backdrop for a detailed passage covering a fishing trip in that area or time period.
One of the most refreshing surprises for me whilst reading this book was how well written it was. Adrian's writing style is very personable and engaging. His personality really comes across as he tells his stories and there are some genuinely very funny moments. The book has a very clever prologue and epilogue which immediately gets your attention, and these two sections perfectly bookend a really pleasant reading experience.
Although primarily a collection of fishing anecdotes and stories as opposed to a classic autobiography, there is plenty in there for those looking for his time in Iron Maiden and his formative years.
Although I have absolutely zero interest in fishing in any of its forms, I found that the book is so well written that I enjoyed his stories nonetheless. It's perhaps testament to Adrian's surprising skill as a writer and storyteller that he's able to make these passages compelling. They're often set to the backdrop of some exotic locale, or his fishing target for the day is the culmination of a months long fishing campaign. The real fishing aficionados will be pleased to know that Adrian goes into great detail when describing his fishing rig (including gauges of line, bait etc) as well as the techniques used.
As a huge Iron Maiden fan, I was drawn to the possibility of more in-depth content covering his time in the band, the circumstances surrounding his exit in 1990 and eventual return. Adrian shares stories surrounding the recording of key albums in Maiden's history, anecdotes from the studio and the origin of a handful of his writing contributions. These often serve as the backdrop for a detailed passage covering a fishing trip in that area or time period.
One of the most refreshing surprises for me whilst reading this book was how well written it was. Adrian's writing style is very personable and engaging. His personality really comes across as he tells his stories and there are some genuinely very funny moments. The book has a very clever prologue and epilogue which immediately gets your attention, and these two sections perfectly bookend a really pleasant reading experience.
September 24, 2020
This book is more about Adrian Smith's love and adoration of fishing than it is about his musical experiences and expert playing and as a massive fan of his musical endeavours I still read on despite knowing nothing of fishing at all really. And here's the thing I still enjoyed the book and didn't find it boring or laden with angling stuff that would go over my head it doesn't do that and Adrian writes as though he is in conversation with you. There are some stories of onstage antics and life on the road as well as moments in the studio but he doesn't go into that side of his career too heavily. There are some interesting parts about his younger days but it's not too in depth as the main thread of the entire book is definitely the fishing. I liked this book as I'm such a big fan of Iron Maiden that I love to know about each individual in the band as people and not just the musical gods that they are. I have a feeling that there could be another book in Mr. Smith yet to come as his way of keeping you hooked(there has to be a pun somewhere) runs right through this publication. This is a good read but his definitive story the one his adoring fans will be wanting isn't quite here with this book. Buy it though don't be put off it's good.
February 4, 2021
I'm an Iron Maiden fan (lets get that out there) and love Adrian's musical work, both within the band and outside of it.
I'm not a fishing fan - last time I went fishing was when Piece of Mind was released. You can Google it to figure out how long ago...
I did not expect this book to be an insight into Iron Maiden, metal music, guitars and the like. Although Adrian does include plenty of anecdotes within about these subjects. Guitar nerds will probably appreciate the constant detailing of gear and methods Adrian uses. But instead of guitars, amps, leads, effects pedals, the story details rods, reels, lines, locales, nets and the like. All aspects are explained in an easy to understand manner.
I read the book in a day. Pretty standard for me when I read fiction, but not non-fiction.
It's very easy to read, and to quote a bajillion book reviews, hard to put down.
In the early part of the book Adrian tells us how he developed his deep love of fishing, from early fishing ventures with his dad in the local waters . As the book progresses, Adrian spins an entertaining and insightful tale of fishing, weaved in and out of his life as a musician, father, son, husband, brother and keen tennis player. His trip to my home state Tasmania was insightful. Life is so hard to safely escape - It's clear in the spotlight it's even harder - Adrian's love of fishing, the escapism he feels while doing it and the respect he has for his passion (and the fish themselves) shines through. I even found myself relaxing as I read it.
Highly recommended.
I'm not a fishing fan - last time I went fishing was when Piece of Mind was released. You can Google it to figure out how long ago...
I did not expect this book to be an insight into Iron Maiden, metal music, guitars and the like. Although Adrian does include plenty of anecdotes within about these subjects. Guitar nerds will probably appreciate the constant detailing of gear and methods Adrian uses. But instead of guitars, amps, leads, effects pedals, the story details rods, reels, lines, locales, nets and the like. All aspects are explained in an easy to understand manner.
I read the book in a day. Pretty standard for me when I read fiction, but not non-fiction.
It's very easy to read, and to quote a bajillion book reviews, hard to put down.
In the early part of the book Adrian tells us how he developed his deep love of fishing, from early fishing ventures with his dad in the local waters . As the book progresses, Adrian spins an entertaining and insightful tale of fishing, weaved in and out of his life as a musician, father, son, husband, brother and keen tennis player. His trip to my home state Tasmania was insightful. Life is so hard to safely escape - It's clear in the spotlight it's even harder - Adrian's love of fishing, the escapism he feels while doing it and the respect he has for his passion (and the fish themselves) shines through. I even found myself relaxing as I read it.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2021
I love three things in life, surely: fishing, Iron Maiden’s debut album, and their second, Killers. Sure, Adrian wasn’t on the s/t, but I doubt Dennis Stratton has nearly as many great fishing stories as Smith. Nor did he ever seem half as charming.
That’s the thing about this, its charm. Anyone looking for sexdrugsandrockandroll is going to be mightily disappointed; this is a book about fishing. That the author is one of the key songwriters and guitarists in Maiden (looking at you, Janick) is ancillary to its purpose—to tell tales of fishy fishy derring-do to those, like me, that dig that kind of shit.
Maybe it’s the newest subsubsubsubgenre to emerge: Beer, Beer, and Rod and Reel. If so…
(wait for it…)
(a little longer…)
…I’m hooked.
(now wasn’t that pleasant? Reel it in!)
That’s the thing about this, its charm. Anyone looking for sexdrugsandrockandroll is going to be mightily disappointed; this is a book about fishing. That the author is one of the key songwriters and guitarists in Maiden (looking at you, Janick) is ancillary to its purpose—to tell tales of fishy fishy derring-do to those, like me, that dig that kind of shit.
Maybe it’s the newest subsubsubsubgenre to emerge: Beer, Beer, and Rod and Reel. If so…
(wait for it…)
(a little longer…)
…I’m hooked.
(now wasn’t that pleasant? Reel it in!)
March 21, 2022
Adrian Smith er ikke veldig kjent for sitt forfatterskap, men bedre kjent som en av gitaristene i Iron Maiden. Jeg har lest mange biografier fra rockens verden og det er mye skandaler, intriger, dop og sex som blir skildret. I denne boka er det lite av slikt, men det er mange fisketurer. Adrian Smith er en særdeles entusiastisk fisker og når Iron Maiden er på turné, benytter han det meste av sine ledige stunder til å fiske.
Denne biografien inneholder muntre beskrivelser av fisketurer verden rundt.
For meg, som de siste 35 årene har vært på flere Iron Maiden-konserter enn fisketurer, kunne det gjerne vært mer musikk og mindre fisk. Det er mye utstyrsrelatert nerding som i liten grad fanger min interesse. Men det er uhøytidelig, humørfylt og sjarmerende lesning. Jeg har fått en bekreftelse på et gammelt inntrykk av at de seks karene i Iron Maiden er av det sympatiske slaget.
Denne biografien inneholder muntre beskrivelser av fisketurer verden rundt.
For meg, som de siste 35 årene har vært på flere Iron Maiden-konserter enn fisketurer, kunne det gjerne vært mer musikk og mindre fisk. Det er mye utstyrsrelatert nerding som i liten grad fanger min interesse. Men det er uhøytidelig, humørfylt og sjarmerende lesning. Jeg har fått en bekreftelse på et gammelt inntrykk av at de seks karene i Iron Maiden er av det sympatiske slaget.
November 18, 2022
Two opposing lifestyles successfully managed into one. A well written, passionate account that will appeal to both rocking fishers and fishing rockers. The emphasis being the fishing.
March 19, 2021
This is a book about fishing. Smith doesn't try to hide that going in, and I wasn't sure about reading it as a result, but I thought that I'd take the chance a read it anyway. It's really about fishing. There are some neat personal/Iron Maiden nuggets here and there that made all the fishing talk worth wading through, but most of the book is describing fishing that he's done. There are 16 pages of colour photographs in the middle of the book, including 28 photos of Smith, or others, holding fish that they caught.
It was interesting in that, although I've known a few people that fished over the years, I didn't really have a sense of the passion one could have for it. I do now. I don't understand it, but I get a sense of it. I also didn't realize that nighttime was a good time for fishing. I always thought it was an early morning thing. So I did learn a good amount about fishing, knowledge which may never be of benefit to me.
Adrian Smith seems like a nice guy, and the book is decently engaging, but I think I don't ever have to read another book on fishing in my life. This was more than enough for me. That said, it was enjoyable enough, and I never considered abandoning it.
Don't read this book unless you can tolerate sentences like this: "Tactics would be in-line large maggot feeders tied to an 8lb fluorocarbon hook length with a size 12 Drennan barbel hook, and two buoyant rubber maggots mounted on a hair. The mainline was 10lb sensor, and my mini Shimano 5000 baitrunners were matched with two Wychwood 1¾lb barbel rods." This is very typical when Smith describes a fishing trip. If you can tolerate it, or if you find it fascinating, this is the book for you.
It was interesting in that, although I've known a few people that fished over the years, I didn't really have a sense of the passion one could have for it. I do now. I don't understand it, but I get a sense of it. I also didn't realize that nighttime was a good time for fishing. I always thought it was an early morning thing. So I did learn a good amount about fishing, knowledge which may never be of benefit to me.
Adrian Smith seems like a nice guy, and the book is decently engaging, but I think I don't ever have to read another book on fishing in my life. This was more than enough for me. That said, it was enjoyable enough, and I never considered abandoning it.
Don't read this book unless you can tolerate sentences like this: "Tactics would be in-line large maggot feeders tied to an 8lb fluorocarbon hook length with a size 12 Drennan barbel hook, and two buoyant rubber maggots mounted on a hair. The mainline was 10lb sensor, and my mini Shimano 5000 baitrunners were matched with two Wychwood 1¾lb barbel rods." This is very typical when Smith describes a fishing trip. If you can tolerate it, or if you find it fascinating, this is the book for you.
August 5, 2021
The title caught my eye, and it turned out to be a good purchase. I couldn't tell you much about Iron Maiden, but it was fun seeing the other side of a rock star - the side that chases trout and bonefish, fishes with buddies from the rock world and with his wife. Smith wrote in a manner that made me feel like he was telling a fish story or two or ten around a campfire. Great read.
October 31, 2020
Whether you like fishing or not, whether you like Iron Maiden or not, this is a highly enjoyable book! Read about Adrian's love of fishing, interspersed with stories of Iron Maiden (recording and touring). All combined with a wonderful dry British humour.
July 23, 2021
The best (and only) book on fishing I have ever read. Seriously though, this is more about fishing than Iron Maiden but it is actually a really good read, even if, like me, you knew nothing about fishing before you started it.
November 16, 2020
Very interesting read, more about fishing than Iron Maiden but , still interspersed with good anecdotes.
January 10, 2025
I've had Monsters of River & Rock on my wish list ever since it was announced, but only got around to reading it now after getting it as very nice Christmas present. I always knew it was first and foremost about Adrian Smith's fishing adventures, but I was still surprised about how little time is spent on his music career. This really is a fishing book, with his music career and especially his time with Iron Maiden being the interesting little trickle of bait he keeps topping up to keep you hooked.
A very enjoyable read overall as long as you are aware of what you are getting into, but Adrian proves to be a more than decent writer, and his easy to read and engaging style means the book flows by pretty quickly.
While he doesn't go into lots of personal details it is easy to start to understand over the course of book that Adrian while very professional (at least in the second half of his career with Maiden) finds the rigurors of being such a high profile musician with the recording and touring schedule that Maiden have kept up to be a challenge, and fishing is very much his way to escape that even if it just for a half a day in Central Park between massive concerts in New York.
Overall, a very entertaining insight into a very different side of musician who has played a key role in one of the biggest and most influential heavy metal bands of all time. Passionate, engaging and surprisingly fun, Adrian's fishing adventures are worth a read, and he does still provide some very tasty bait for fans of his music career as well.
A very enjoyable read overall as long as you are aware of what you are getting into, but Adrian proves to be a more than decent writer, and his easy to read and engaging style means the book flows by pretty quickly.
While he doesn't go into lots of personal details it is easy to start to understand over the course of book that Adrian while very professional (at least in the second half of his career with Maiden) finds the rigurors of being such a high profile musician with the recording and touring schedule that Maiden have kept up to be a challenge, and fishing is very much his way to escape that even if it just for a half a day in Central Park between massive concerts in New York.
Overall, a very entertaining insight into a very different side of musician who has played a key role in one of the biggest and most influential heavy metal bands of all time. Passionate, engaging and surprisingly fun, Adrian's fishing adventures are worth a read, and he does still provide some very tasty bait for fans of his music career as well.
May 7, 2023
Definitely geared towards the angler side of Adrian's life rather than the musical, but still a very enjoyable read. Adrian has a quiet charm about him that definitely comes through in how he writes, so it was nice to step into his headspace for a bit. My only genuine criticism of the book is that he jumps around in time quite a bit, which makes things a little hard to keep track of sometimes. My favorite thing was probably all the anecdotes that feature his wife, Nathalie; his love for her shines in every story, and it's just so lovely. Maiden stories are sparse, if I'm being honest, but the ones present are welcome snapshots into his life with the band. Glad I've got this hardcover for my bookshelf. (It's kind of made me want to pick up fishing... which might have been his goal!)
January 29, 2021
Reader beware!
Even if the description is honest about it, you might be tempted to read this bio thinking that Adrian Smith, a master riff created, a guitar legend of Iron Maiden fame, would write a book about music, but this is really about fishing trips and anecdotes. You need to know the lingo to understand it, or check the glossary at the end, which you might only discover after you finished. The chapters are completely disconnected, with no obvious organization, jumping back and forth in time. I just skimmed and even that felt like "Wasted Years".
Even if the description is honest about it, you might be tempted to read this bio thinking that Adrian Smith, a master riff created, a guitar legend of Iron Maiden fame, would write a book about music, but this is really about fishing trips and anecdotes. You need to know the lingo to understand it, or check the glossary at the end, which you might only discover after you finished. The chapters are completely disconnected, with no obvious organization, jumping back and forth in time. I just skimmed and even that felt like "Wasted Years".
February 9, 2025
I'm a lifelong Iron Maiden fan and I love fishing this book was perfect. I've known for years Adrian was a fisherman but not to this degree. The chapters all feature a little bio info,a little band info and a lot of fishing info. I learned that fishing in the UK is a lot different than our bass obsessed culture here in the US. It also made me want to one day be able to fish with or at least meet Adrian he came across as cool dude. I love the fact that,just like Bruce's biography, it contained a funny Robert Palmer story.
April 17, 2021
Fokus buku ini adalah hobi mancing sang gitaris. Catat itu. Namun tetap selipan cerita terkait Maiden. Yang paling heboh bagi saya adalah saat Janick memberikan tur gratis kepada personel Oasis mengintip sesi rekaman Maiden —yang saat itu Harris sedang kerja di ruangan tersebut.
Buku ini cocok untuk hard core fans Maiden dan yang ingin mengetahui sisi lain Adrian Smith selain sebagai gitaris.
Buku ini cocok untuk hard core fans Maiden dan yang ingin mengetahui sisi lain Adrian Smith selain sebagai gitaris.
June 5, 2022
This guy really likes fishing!
I do often like reading about things im unfamiliar with, but the travel, landscapes and characters captivated me more than the sizes and species of fish Mr Smith was after
Oh aye and the bits where he talks about Iron Maiden those were my favourite.
Doubt I'd have enjoyed this book if I wasn't a Maiden fan but for heavy metal anglers this is probably *thee* book
I do often like reading about things im unfamiliar with, but the travel, landscapes and characters captivated me more than the sizes and species of fish Mr Smith was after
Oh aye and the bits where he talks about Iron Maiden those were my favourite.
Doubt I'd have enjoyed this book if I wasn't a Maiden fan but for heavy metal anglers this is probably *thee* book
December 23, 2021
I'm not a fisherman. Well, I was surprised how Adrian Smith wrote a very good cool book. She read well. I felt very calm reading. So I relaxed and had their hot English tea, which can be bought at Tesco. I had a great day and great relaxation then.
April 6, 2022
Vanskelig å anmelde. Boken består av fiskehistorier uten noen nevneverdig forbindelse. Den hopper i kronologien. Det er mer enn nok å kose seg med for fans, og man får noen fine innblikk i livet på veien. Mest for den som elsker fisk. Litt for den som elsker Maiden.
June 3, 2024
A well written book focusing on Adrian's fishing adventures from around the world with bits of the musician/touring life as well. Liked the structure of the book as well, in a somewhat chronological/fish species order. Also has some great photos!
October 12, 2020
Just great!
February 9, 2021
Up the Irons!
If you like heavy metal and fishing stories this is the book for you! Took a star off since this is more of Adrians fishing history , not a whole lot of his history.
If you like heavy metal and fishing stories this is the book for you! Took a star off since this is more of Adrians fishing history , not a whole lot of his history.
April 19, 2022
Loved it
March 13, 2023
There aren't enough good autobiographies written by heavy metal musicians. This is one of the better ones.
December 30, 2020
Up the irons.
February 17, 2021
This book was a Christmas gift and I was interested to see where it went. I do enjoy fishing and was jealous of all the spots Adrian goes to while globe trotting. The book is not about Iron Maiden, although he is one of the guitarists for the band. It really is for the sportsman who has always wanted to catch their favorite fish and whether or not it is a "double" (ten lbs. or more). Mr. Smith has very specific goals and techniques to break his personal best every time he dips the pole in the water.
Overall, an interesting book that takes you with him on his journeys to some of the best fishing spots in the world.
Overall, an interesting book that takes you with him on his journeys to some of the best fishing spots in the world.
Read
February 13, 2021A warning to those who come into this book expecting in-depth stories from the world of music: This is a fishing book with just a little bit of Maiden sprinkled on top.
I had read an interview from Mr. Smith beforehand where he said just that, but as I find good enjoyment in occasionally dipping a hook in water, I decided to give it a go despite "fishing enthusiast" being pretty far down the list of things to describe myself as. In the end after laboring just 35 pages, well written though they were, I'd already had a couple of fish too many and I ended up skimming through the book looking for the interesting parts. There are nice little snapshots for example from the creation of Wasted Years and the initial tensions of the Brave New World sessions, but usually any Maiden references are just prefaces to another fishing trip.
If you are a Maiden-loving fishing enthusiast, you will absolutely adore this book, but others might want to approach with caution.
I had read an interview from Mr. Smith beforehand where he said just that, but as I find good enjoyment in occasionally dipping a hook in water, I decided to give it a go despite "fishing enthusiast" being pretty far down the list of things to describe myself as. In the end after laboring just 35 pages, well written though they were, I'd already had a couple of fish too many and I ended up skimming through the book looking for the interesting parts. There are nice little snapshots for example from the creation of Wasted Years and the initial tensions of the Brave New World sessions, but usually any Maiden references are just prefaces to another fishing trip.
If you are a Maiden-loving fishing enthusiast, you will absolutely adore this book, but others might want to approach with caution.
October 29, 2020
A great read for anglers and Maiden fans alike. Although the book is more about fishing than his Maiden history some great and interesting snippets of Maiden comes on here and there. He also writes good and with great humor as well.
August 11, 2023
Good if you like fishing with a few rock anecdotes chucked in.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews