See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

37 used & new from £0.01
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Hammer of the Gods: Definitive Biography of "Led Zeppelin"
 
See larger image 

See 1 customer image
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Hammer of the Gods: Definitive Biography of "Led Zeppelin" (Paperback)

by Stephen Davis (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


8 new from £0.01 29 used from £0.01
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover Order it used
Paperback (New ed of 2 Revised ed) £8.99 £6.99 34 used & new from £2.85
Mass Market Paperback 4 used & new from £1.91
Perfect Paperback 9 used & new from £1.50
Unknown Binding Order it used

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie

I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie

by Pamela Des Barres
4.2 out of 5 stars (9)  £6.99
Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

by Richard Cole
3.8 out of 5 stars (5)  £6.99
The Dirt - Motley Crue: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band

The Dirt - Motley Crue: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band

by Neil Strauss
4.9 out of 5 stars (53)  £9.09
Slash: The Autobiography

Slash: The Autobiography

by Slash
4.6 out of 5 stars (52)  £4.85
When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography Of Led Zeppelin: A Biography of "Led Zeppelin"

When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography Of Led Zeppelin: A Biography of "Led Zeppelin"

by Mick Wall
3.9 out of 5 stars (18)  £13.99
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Pan Books; 2nd Revised edition edition (7 Jul 1995)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0330342878
  • ISBN-13: 978-0330342872
  • Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 186,120 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #13 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Composers & Musicians > Rock & Other Styles > Led Zepplin

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Product Description
If ever there were Satanic Majesties of rock their name was Led Zeppelin. The band that out-sold the Rolling Stones and made Robert Johnson's deals with the Devil look like a playground game of conkers were as high, inflated and glorified as their namesake. in Stephen Davis's scorching account of their phenomenally successful career, no aspect - however disquieting - is ignored. The infamous encounters with willing groupies in hotel bedrooms, the narcotic, alcoholic and psychotic wreckage they wreaked, the disturbing influence of the notorious mage, Aleister Crowley, on lead guitarist Jimmy Page and the death of John Bonham are all recorded. Above all, the exultant, blazing charge of their music and its effects on Led Zeppelin and their fans is scrutinized. Hammer of the Gods is a fierce and fearless story about a band that remain a legend of musical, sexual and mystical power. It is the last word in rock 'n' roll savagery. 'The biggest surprise success of the year...the Led Zep tale, drenched in sex, drugs and psychic abuse, demonstrated the validity of all the old adages about talent, power and corruption. Stephen Davis's grimy homage to imperial excess and demonic influence had fans slavering for more' Rolling Stone

About the Author
Stephen Davis's most recent book is Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend. He is also the author of Walk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith.

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
(4)
(3)
(3)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Hammer of the Gods: Definitive Biography of "Led Zeppelin"
75% buy the item featured on this page:
Hammer of the Gods: Definitive Biography of "Led Zeppelin" 3.8 out of 5 stars (17)
When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography Of Led Zeppelin: A Biography of "Led Zeppelin"
15% buy
When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography Of Led Zeppelin: A Biography of "Led Zeppelin" 3.9 out of 5 stars (18)
£13.99
I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie
5% buy
I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie 4.2 out of 5 stars (9)
£6.99
Slash: The Autobiography
3% buy
Slash: The Autobiography 4.6 out of 5 stars (52)
£4.85
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

17 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Probably all true, 27 April 2000
By A Customer
Notorious for being the book that neither Robert Plant or Jimmy Page have read, let alone endorsed, most of the 'sordid' tales don't seem that shocking, in light of the standard behaviour now required of modern rock stars. What does come across very strongly, though, is the general madness that the lifestyle created for the band, which then trapped them, and which made some of the excesses inevitable: the impossible stress of touring and the constantly building pressures to deliver better and better material, without the protective corporate shield of modern management, and above all a deep rooting in the kind of hard blues where sex and drugs and alcohol were standard routes to creativity - no wonder they went off the rails by the end. Yes, they were selfish and indulgent, and no, Jimmy Page probably shouldn't have dumped little Lori Maddox like that, but they created a timeless and genuinely thrilling sound. And a myth that fans lap up as much as the music. This book walks through the whole lot, with plenty of gossip, much of which is sourced from Richard Cole and probably true-ish, and it does give you the story behind 'Royal Orleans' on Presence, which you wouldn't ever work out from Plant's garbled lyrics. Most of all, it makes you realise that when all this madness was going on, they were in their early twenties - and also that it was a very, very different world. Fans who still long for a note-faithful reunion probably won't after reading this: it couldn't ever be the same.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting read!!, 17 May 2005
By A Customer
This review is from: Hammer of the Gods: "Led Zeppelin" Unauthorised (Paperback)
This is a great read, one for all long-time Zeppelin fans and new fans of the band who want to find out more about their beginnings, life on the road and the truth behind the myths that led to their 'hellraisers' label. Unlike many biographies which can get bogged down in too much detail and be boring to read, this combines detail with interesting facts and is a real page-turner. Well recommended!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Almost certainly more fiction than fact, 13 Mar 2003
By A Customer
Entertaining and in places reads almost like a novel. A bit sprawling and probably needed some brutal editing. Contributes to the cult of band on the edge in place of hard facts and reality. Entertaining and would have made good Oliver Stone film if he hadn't gone the Doors route.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars No surprises
I found this book in a second-hand shop a couple of weeks ago, and picked it up out of curiosity. First published in 1985 (and updated ten years later), it was one of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jeremy Walton

1.0 out of 5 stars Overrated & Out Of Date
Once upon a time this was the book all Zep fans had to read. Now with the new Mick Wall book this seems like the overrated and made-up nonsense you always suspected. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Linda Ruby

4.0 out of 5 stars Sex ,Drugs and Rock N Roll
"Hammer of the Gods" is an interesting account of the history of the colourful 1970's heavy rock band Led Zeppelin. Read more
Published 22 months ago by L. Davidson

4.0 out of 5 stars Hammer of the Dogs.
This is a fantastic read, a great insight to a fantastic band..
I recently bought the Rock Legends 'five book Box Set' coming from the publishers 'Pan-Macmillan'... Read more
Published on 1 Jul 2007 by Jac Pascall

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't believe everything you read - but do read this
The image of Led Zeppelin was carefully crafted by their larger than life manager Peter Grant and overseer Jimmy Page. Read more
Published on 26 April 2007 by Lee Ann Day-Whistler

5.0 out of 5 stars Whole Lotta Love For This Book
This is not just the greatest Led Zeppelin book ever but the most indepth, fascinating, revealing and addictive music book ever written. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2006 by George Bruin

5.0 out of 5 stars ledtastic
This book is a must read for all music fans. The book takes you from before the band were formed and then through the good and bad times of one of the worlds biggest bands, from... Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2005 by zoso67

3.0 out of 5 stars Hammering the point home, again and again...
I am nearly at the end of this book, which was recommended many years ago. I hope that I don't come across as intellectually overbearing about it, but it has been a bit of a... Read more
Published on 8 Jul 2004 by pavano

3.0 out of 5 stars Hammer of the Rock Hack
Stephen Davis wrote his version of the LZ Saga first, but his has the questionable glory of being also the worst. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2003 by Mikko Riihimaki

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read
Having been a Zep Fan since hearing Kasmir played to me back in the Early 70's, i found this book a wonderful in sight into the GREATEST Rock Band we'll probably see. Read more
Published on 1 May 2003 by R J Barlow

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

›Shop The Body Shop

  

More From Stephen Davis

Jim Morrison: Life...

Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend

'As near-definitive as we are likely to get. Detailed, shocking and... Read more
£8.99 £6.99

 

Up to 50% off Dental Care

Braun Oral-B Professional Care 6000 Rechargeable Toothbrush - Pack of 2
Put a sparkle in your smile with up to 50% off selected Oral-B and Philips rechargeable toothbrushes.

›Up to 50% off power toothbrushes

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates