I have great respect for the author's pursuit to heal through music, but this book was a huge disappointment for me. There is no substance. We never get to know any of the inmates. We don't know whether any of them were helped or healed in any way, or whether the music classes were nothing more than a fun escape from prison drudgery. Martin tells us over and over that he works with at-risk kids and can't wait to take everything he learns at and about the prison back to them. Yet, we don't go there with him. We don't see how the kids react to his stories, or whether any of them learn a single thing.

The book reads like a journal, with each entry taking us on his trip to and from the prison. We go through the gates and walk the grounds over and over. The first time was interesting. After that, it was needless repetition. At one point Martin gets trapped in a prison lockdown, but I never felt the urgency. In the next paragraph, it's over and he's heading home.

Several times, Martin refers to the inmates as wild dogs. He doesn't seem to have the slightest respect for any of them. He may indeed have much respect, though what came across in the writing was a condescending and fearful attitude. The ending is abrupt and, I thought, came on a sour note. Martin was startled and horrified that an inmate had found out where he lived. Well, he used his real name. They're inmates, not idiots. What did he expect?

Again, I respect the author's goal. This book, though, would have greatly benefited from the input of a good editor. ( )

Don't Shoot! I'm The Guitar Man is a true story account of one musicians journey to bring music to those imprisoned in the San Quentin State Penitentiary. Written in a journal-like format, Buzzy Martin, takes you week by week thru his 3 1/2 years as music teacher at one of the United States worst criminal prison systems. With many thoughtful and sometimes, comical insights, Buzzy takes you on a ride thru his psyche and his struggles to teach those less fortunate by bringing a little music to their souls.

Initially consigned to do a 12 week program, he quickly gains the trust of the inmates which takes him on a three year freak ride. From the lock downs, to the hostage situations, sexual advances and prison officers being beating up, Buzzy writes of what life is like on the inside of the Q. Buzzy talks of the "pecking" order of things and warns the children in his outreach programs about the dangerous and soul-sucking madness that goes on behind the walls of the prison. He explains much about prison life and backs it up with statistics and historical references. He talks about the different wards or blocks in prison and the character of the people who are incarcerated there. I quite enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to see it in a motion picture. It was a quick and easy read with mild to moderate expletives and many sexual references.

SYNOPSIS:
A true story about a musician who brings a common language to the prisoners of San Quentin State Prison and shares his experiences along the way. ( )