Any book review of Queen And I The Brian May Story will mention the relationship between the author Laura Jackson and the rock group Queen. This is because responses to the book seem to come from two extremes- those who love the book and give it rave reviews, and those who hate it.

Not least among the rave reviewers are the ones highlighted on the book cover itself. Kerrang magazine calls it an 'absolute peach' and Record Collector celebrates its detailed comment on the life of gifted lead guitarist Brian May. The Sunday Times goes further, calling the Brian May Story 'a who's who of rock.' To crown the collection of glorious accolades, the heavyweight opinion of BBC Radio calls it 'the most definitive rock biography ever written.' The publisher blurb itself makes much of the 'exclusive access' that Laura Jackson the author is supposed to have had to the rock band Queen.

Yet not everyone agrees. Recently, another book about Queen was released by the same author and responses to that have been very mixed. Fans and supporters of Queen appear to be appreciative of the biography of Brian May and it is selling well, but there are dissenting voices in the debate about its value and these reverberate back to the earlier book Queen and I The Brian May Story.

Some fans dispute the closeness Jackson claims to have with Queen and it is indeed true that many of the anecdotes stem from quotes given by those who really were close to the band. For many fans this is enough; they really want a full, definitive account of the band and its virtuoso guitarist Brian May. Most are not disappointed, and could care less about the motivation behind the writing of the book because they enjoy reading it so much and treasure the copy they have. Presumably they don't share the opinions of some that the writing is heavy and hard work to read. Perhaps they think that, if it's good enough for Brian then it's good enough for them; after all, he has agreed to have three books written about him by this author.

Certainly, if fans are looking for a compact but comprehensive narrative documenting Queen's rise to the top of the music pile, then they will find it in this book. It tells the story of a brilliant project created by two friends and the pain of the loss of one half of the team by the other. The book also details the antics of the band, good, bad and ugly, and describes the seductive charm of the scintillating band icon Freddie Mercury.

Driven to depression by his deep trauma over the loss of Freddie, Brian May was also philosophical in the book about the roller coaster relationship where things weren't always rosy in the garden and the friendship with Freddie gave way to feuds. Laura Jackson's book will also inform fans about the issues Brian May was faced with in his love life.

It would seem that when devoted fans of a rock group choose a book, they make their choice, not on the reputation or writing style of the author, but on the quality and veracity of the information within. In this aspect, Queen And I The The Brian May Story ticks all the boxes. It is full of anecdotes, verifiable quotes from persons close to the band members and, not least, some poignant black and white photographs which might even prompt a tear or two for Freddie and the carefree days of young male youth.

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