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Stephen Davis
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Hammer of the Gods Mass Market Paperback – Deluxe Edition, May 10, 2007

by Stephen Davis (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 136 ratings
They were legends based on myths—myths of fantasy, power, and black magic. The tales of their tours were the most outrageous in the already excess-laden annals of modern music. The era of Led Zeppelin personified sex, drugs, and rock & roll.

Based on interviews with the band's musicians, friends, employees, and lovers, Hammer of the Gods tells the shocking story of Led Zeppelin's successes and excesses in the 70s—when Zeppelin reigned as the industry's biggest act.

Exclusive sources. Documents. Interviews. Photos. Revelations about a band—and an industry—at its shameless peak. Read it all, and see why Hammer of the Gods is a classic of rock journalism in its own right.

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  1. Print length
    408 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ozler Aykan Tanitim ve Iletisim Hizmetleri
  4. Publication date
    May 10, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    4.2 x 1.07 x 6.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0425182134
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0425182130
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Davis’s many acclaimed books include the Rolling Stones history Old Gods Almost Dead as well as the New York Times bestsellers Walk This Way (with Aerosmith), Fleetwood (with Mick Fleetwood), and the Led Zeppelin history Hammer of the Gods.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ozler Aykan Tanitim ve Iletisim Hizmetleri; First Edition (May 10, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 408 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425182134
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425182130
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.2 x 1.07 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 136 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Davis

Stephen Davis

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Stephen Davis is America's preeminent rock journalist and biographer, having written numerous bestsellers on rock bands, including the smash hit Hammer of the Gods. He lives in Boston.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
136 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a fantastic and fun read, with one mentioning it provides good information about Zeppelin. Moreover, the pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it's well-researched and includes insights into writing and recording music. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's coverage of the band, describing it as one of the greatest rock bands.

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10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a fantastic and fun read, with one customer noting it provides good information about Zeppelin.

"...Overall, this was a good read for the uninitiated. A bit of a guilty pleasure really." Read more

"...I enjoyed every page and had a hard time putting it down...." Read more

"I read this book years ago, it has a lot of good information about Zeppelin but a also a lot made up junk that Richard Cole came up with to make..." Read more

"...It is very detailed and is a good read in comparison to other Led Zep books. I would recommend this book for sure!" Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging, with one customer noting it provides good insights into writing and recording music.

"...It's well researched and more cerebral but a much more difficult read and gives much less insight into the people that made up the band." Read more

"...care too much for Led Zep music, you will still find the book an interesting read as a slice of pop culture history and biography of at least one..." Read more

""Hammer of the Gods" is very informative as to the organizing and musical abilities of the group members...." Read more

"...Also some good nuggets about writing and recording the music which made going back and re-listening to everything an interesting exercise, too." Read more

3 customers mention "Music quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the music quality of the band, with one customer highlighting the musical abilities of the group members.

"...this book to anyone who wants to find the story of one of the greatest rock bands in the history of the world...." Read more

"...the Gods" is very informative as to the organizing and musical abilities of the group members...." Read more

"A fascinating look at the rise and fall of One of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Angela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read on Zeppelin
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This and Richard Cole's book is the best.
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  • sab0202
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Zeppelin fans...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    I don't understand the criticisms of this book. Sure, there are some lurid details of Zeppelin's hooligan antics. Yes, they were surrounded (manipulated?) by opportunistic thugs who were major contributors to the mayhem and excess that filled the wake of their road shows. True, one of these thugs (Richard Cole) is quoted more frequently than any other source in the book. But, taken with a grain of salt, this book tells the story and gives more insight into its principals than any other book I've read. It's very readable and even adds a chapter which follows the surviving members through the 90's.

    If you want a book that focuses on Zep's music, influences, and musical context (and skips the antics), try Keith Shadwick's excellent 2005 book. It's well researched and more cerebral but a much more difficult read and gives much less insight into the people that made up the band.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • 2metal2dance
    4.0 out of 5 stars As Overblown as the Band Itself
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    Davis' profile of Led Zepplin is probably a reliable protrait of the band. If you are like me and you don't care too much for Led Zep music, you will still find the book an interesting read as a slice of pop culture history and biography of at least one fairly interesting guy (Jimmy Page).

    Davis' use of language is sometimes preposterously overblown. His diction is sometimes questionable, too, as when he describes Bonham flying into a rage. Bonham "apotheosized into the Beast." (Here you have an example of both hyperbole and poor diction.)

    The book is filled with this type of writing, which makes it exciting to read while casting a shadow of doubt as to its veracity.

    Davis doesn't call Page out on his affected interest in black magic and sorcery. Davis seems to take it all seriously. The other side of that story is Page was a young man, in his 20s, with excess cash and a deficit in maturity, dabbling in a silly hobby.

    Overall, this was a good read for the uninitiated. A bit of a guilty pleasure really.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Tina E
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read!!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I recommend this book to anyone who wants to find the story of one of the greatest rock bands in the history of the world.I enjoyed every page and had a hard time putting it down.Really gives you an insight into what the times were like and the fun and not so fun journeys of being in a rock band.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Cynthia Leona
    5.0 out of 5 stars it has a lot of good information about Zeppelin but a also a lot made ...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book years ago, it has a lot of good information about Zeppelin but a also a lot made up junk that Richard Cole came up with to make himself sound better. What a shame it could have been more factual. Better to read When Giants walked the Earth. The Page by Page pictograms is excellent but would you expect anything else from Mr. Page?
    One person found this helpful
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  • D. M. Kabat
    3.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    "Hammer of the Gods" is very informative as to the organizing and musical abilities of the group members. It gets a little bogged down describing the tours and damage done by various members of the entourage. I think more emphasis could have been made on the creative influences, although these are mentioned in some detail. An interesting read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • RMS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Relentlessly Funny
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you're a Zeppelin fan, a music fan, or just want to hear some great stories, you need this book. Tons of outstanding anecdotes about these wildmen. Also some good nuggets about writing and recording the music which made going back and re-listening to everything an interesting exercise, too.
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  • Angela Lowe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book would definietly have to be one of the better books written about Led Zeppelin. It is very detailed and is a good read in comparison to other Led Zep books. I would recommend this book for sure!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Sand-eye
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in Canada on September 22, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    For anyone that is or was a fan of Led Zeppelin, this is the definitive "tell all" that provides an thorough chronology of the band from well before it's inception to the post-Zeppelin era. Filled with interesting story's and facts, I could not put this book down. The book provides a real sense of what their American tours were like and how this contrasted with their somewhat bucolic family life back in the U.K. The majic of Led Zeppelin is revealed from Jimmy's ground-breaking guitar techniques and influences to Robert's siren wail voice. You will not be disappointed!
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  • De b
    5.0 out of 5 stars Known as the best,confirmed.
    Reviewed in France on December 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Nice reading, full détails never read before,on all other book.
    Very Lively.
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  • Mr. A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth Buying
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Once upon a time the Led Zeppelin were the biggest band in the world sweeping away all who stood between them and the very top of the rock states in terms of earnings live performances and creative music making. Between their manager Peter Grant and assistant / PA / fixer Richard Cole the band were able to bully, bulldoze and cause all to be fearsome of them. This is a fascinating account of Coles longterm employment on call 24 hours to bunch of spoilt, arrogant , gifted and often obnoxious young men. I uncharted much enjoyed this warts n all , on the road account of Rn R at its drug addled finest
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  • Lettaco
    1.0 out of 5 stars Poco interesante
    Reviewed in Spain on June 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    No me ha gustado nada. El libro entero se centra prácticamente en hacer como un extensísimo elenco de los conciertos que dieron y las canciones que tocaron a lo largo y ancho de su trayectoria profesional por el mundo, salpicado aquí y allá con alguna anécdota de forma muy superficial y poco interesante. Aburrido.
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  • Ralf Raths
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mechanisch, aber nett
    Reviewed in Germany on February 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    "Hammer of the Gods" hat im Kern das Problem vieler Bandbiographien: Im Gegensatz zu einem Roman hat so ein Buch per se keinen Rhythmus. Es ist ein ewiges "and then .... and then ... and then ..."

    Davis fängt das so gut auf, wie er kann - und das ist ziemlich gut. Hammer ist nicht umsonst die bestverkaufte der LZ-Biographien. Aber dennoch bleibt das Grundproblem bestehen, und das durchdringt auch die Inhalte. Trotz teils ausufernder Erzählung bleiben einem die 6 Zeppeline (die vier Musiker, der Road Sergeant Cole und der Manager Grant) seltsam unverbunden; und auch alles, was sie tun, berührt einen verblüffend wenig. Die unglaublichen Exzesse der Frühphase von LZ machen einen wundern, mehr aber auch nicht. Das ist deshalb auch irritierend, weil diese Menschen, die heute alle nette, ältere Herren sind, durchaus veritable Schweinereien verbrochen haben.

    Traurig wird dieser Effekt dann, wenn wirklich wichtige, zumeist tragische Dinge passieren, die einem auch nur begrenzt nahegehen. Als Plant seinen fünfjährigen Sohn verliert, geht das im Buch praktisch unter.

    Überhaupt hat jede LZ-Biographie ja ohnehin zwei Teile: Vor Bonzos Tod und nach Bonzos Tod. Ab einem bestimmten Punkt erwartet man nur auf dieses Ereignis - und dann fasert die Biographie logischerweise aus, denn auch LZ zerfaserten danach.

    Spannend ist das Buch aber dennoch, denn allein die aggregierten Geschichten sind faszinierend; verblüffend auch die zeitgenössische Wahrnehmung der Band von der musikalischen Generation vor ihnen ("cultural fascists") und der Generation nach ihnen ("bloated junkies") und die schiere Dimension des Phänomen; faszinierend auch die Skizzierung der Musikszene des Londons der späten 1960er und wie sich da ALLE über den Weg gelaufen sind.

    Insgesamt ein schönes Mal-so-eben-wegles-Buch.
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