REVIEW OF "JOHNNIE WALKER CRUISIN' THE FORMATS BY BOB PREEDY

Size wise a real disappointment - it is more like an A5 magazine than a book, and although relevant the author has indulged in some extensive cut and pasting of a variety of relevant pictures and copies of papers and letters.

56 pages in length, a pity that there is no spine to the book so it can be spotted on a bookshelf.  Content is excellent, but I feel that Bob could have held back a while and included an interview with Johnnie Walker himself - and possibly expanded some of the items on Radio Formats.

Excellent commentary on the start of Radio in the UK with a brief history, once again this could have been expanded on and been most interesting and relevant.  The different rights organisations are accurately described, as were the USA rights agencies.  

I was not at all familiar with the time that Johnnie went to the States and then returned and worked his way back into mainstream Uk radio. I found that element of the book superb.

I enjoyed the book but it does not constitute good value like Bobs other two books which were put out at a similar price.. Obviously you cannot, dare I say, waffle on at length but I get the feeling that this book was rushed through to publication and filled up with pictures.  Even though I like many other radio listeners know a lot of the stuff covered, I did indeed learn some intriguing facts from it.

I bought my copy from Radio Caroline Sales and it arrived in good condition, but the envelope it was in was rather flimsy and bore marks of damage through the postage system.  One thing I am fortunately blessed with at my new location is very careful postmen - I shudder to think what would have happened at my old address.

Verdict:  Well written - should be offered at a cheaper price than £6.99 in my opinion. Please do not let me put you off adding a refreshingly different type of radio book to your bookshelf.

Wireless Waffler 8th June 2006