Mark Blake
Is This The Real Life?: The Untold Story of Queen
(Da Capo)

Twenty years after Freddie Mercury’s death, Queen still hold their roost in rock’s fabled hierarchy. As their 40th year rolls in, Is This The Real Life? serves as an informative (Blake chronicles the early years like no other before him), non-dirt-throwing narrative told by the band and a close circle of insiders.

Noted MOJO and Q writer Mark Blake offers up concise and comprehensive one-stop-shopping for long standing aficionados and newbies alike. An easy 394-page read, Blake has given Mercury’s legacy, Queen and their legion a solid and righteous accounting.

—Mike Jurkovic