"It's Written in the Book" - Philipp Rottgers' Genesis Song by Song book reviewed by Alan Hewitt.

As Philipp so rightly says in his introduction to his book, writing a book about this band is no easy task. The fans already know so much and aren't shy about calling out your shortcomings and omissions – I speak from considerable experience! So, when you decided to tackle the task of writing something about EVERY published Genesis song, you better know your stuff!

Thankfully Philipp does indeed know his stuff as is demonstrated within the pages of his book. Each song is mentioned however briefly and set within the context of its respective album and/or single. This isn't a volume of critique however, so anyone expecting an analysis of the lyrics to the likes of Happy The Man may well be disappointed.

This book is what is called by many a "dipper" you can dip in and out of it looking for information and there is plenty of it within the pages. Philipp has done his homework with some of the more obscure lyrical references that abound throughout Genesis' lyrics which makes for interesting reading. Each album is set firmly within its historical context and the author draws upon a welter of reference sources to illustrate how the band themselves felt about many of these songs both at the time and subsequently.

All in all a handy reference work, which is easily readable and written in a comfortable style and a nice addition to anyone's reference library on the band.

Philipp Rottgers: Genesis Song By Song. Fonthill Media (HB) ISBN: 13:978-178155-943-7

£25 (UK) $34.95 (US)