There is nothing more enticing than a behind-the-scenes look into one's favorite profession. With the music industry, the stories usually concern legendary or tragic figures but seldom feature the workaday world of popular music. This void has been ably filled by James's memoir of his career and his relationship with Morris Levy, the controversial yet highly successful music executive. James takes us through the world of radio-oriented pop of the late 1960s and up to the resurgence of some of his greatest hits, like "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Mony Mony," via renditions by newer artists decades later. But the most intriguing aspect of the book is James's life in the business of making music. In the 1960s, men with mob connections like Levy ruled the industry, making and breaking careers at will. Verdict James's experience with Levy makes this a distinctive memoir and a welcome addition to the history of popular music. An entertaining, conversational read by an overlooked musician. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/09.]-Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.