Michael Nesmith (1942–2021)

This has to be the strangest and most fascinating memoir I’ve ever read. After hearing about Nesmith’s passing, I immediately recommended it to my library’s Overdrive because no one had it, and I’m so glad they bought it. I remember watching some Monkees in syndication as a kid, but really my connection to Nesmith is that he wrote my favorite song, “Different Drum.”

There’s absolutely no real chronology here, and Nesmith very carefully curated his stories; it all surprisingly show more works. He’s the type that one would say is “very deep”, but you can also tell that some of that comes from just not knowing any better except for wanting to find meaning. So many interesting turns in his life, and he obviously highlighted what was most important to him (FYI the Monkees were not); it’s sad to know that his other stories won’t be told. show less

Here, let me lay down a tale of Neftoon Zamora...

Thus begins Michael Nesmith's folkloric tale of the importance of respecting knowledge above ignorance - of spirituality beyond power and earthly means. The most important things in life are often the things that we overlook. Simplicity is often better than complexity - and oh so much more precious.

Nesmith's prose is like his music - beautiful in its simplicity and apt to sneak up on you with a laugh when you least expect it. Nesmith's show more brilliance shines through in his writing and in his insight into some of the most overlooked aspects of the human conditions.

While The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora may not change your life, it will certainly make you think a little harder. It will allow you to question some previously held tenets of - if not your life, then certainly the lives of others.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who can get their hands on it. While some elements of it come forth only after multiple readings, the basic premise and nature of the piece is well worth at least one go around. show less

Michael Nesmith has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old and the Monkees showed up on my tv. I spent many hours listening to his solo work beginning in high school. I watched Television Parts and visited Videoranch. Of course, then, I knew all about Nez, right? Not so much. This book, rightly proclaimed an autobiographical riff by the author, was filled with surprises, some delightful and some saddening. This may not be a book for everyone, but it is no typical celebrity tell all. show more The spiritual is really the main focus, the thing Nesmith really wants the reader to consider. While I don’t agree with him about some things, his journey is fascinating. show less

Ramble on, rambling man. This rambling riff on his life fits the man, the music and the career that I had previously perceived and that comes to life in its pages. Mike has never fit anyone's preconceptions of what a musician, writer, producer ought to be, even his own. It seems like most things that happened to him came as surprises, pleasant and otherwise. And here he lays it all out in a not-quite-chronological order that lets the reader in on the surprise, too. Devoted Monkees fans will show more likely be disappointed. But readers interested in a true story of semi-success will be fascinated. show less