Anvil! The Story of Anvil – Lips and Robb Reiner

I absolutely adored the documentary movie of which this book is a spin-off, essentially a real life Spinal Tap. The comparison is continued in the book, complete with deserted book signings, turning it up to 11 and po-faced exegesis on a song called “Show Us Your Tits”.

The reason the book works so well is the likeability and enthusiasm of twin narrators Lipps and Robb, who never question the absurdity of grown men spending their time doing ridiculous things. One could call them artless or even dim-witted, but their commitment to each other, to “integrity” and to the oft-invoked “majesty of Anvil” becomes admirable and, ultimately, really touching.