A major festival since its inception, Reading is the music fans' favourite and continues to draw the biggest and best in rock from all over the world. This lavishly-illustrated official history covers every event from 1971 to 2007, and will be launched at this year's festival with the support and collaboration of the Festival's promoters, Festival Republic.

The bands that have appeared at Reading over the last 36 years are a virtual Who's Who of festival rock, including such diverse acts as: AC/DC, Arthur Brown, Bjork, Black Sabbath, The Buzzcocks, The Chemical Brothers, Eminem, The Faces, Foo Fighters, Hawkwind, Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden, The Libertines, Lou Reed, Manfred Mann, Manic Street Preachers, Marilyn Manson, Motorhead, Neil Young, Nick Cave, Oasis, P.J. Harvey, Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel, The Prodigy, Public Enemy, Radiohead and Status Quo. Many of the acts who have appeared over the years have chosen to contribute their memories of the festival to this book, giving it a unique inside perspective.

But Ian Carroll's account of the festival is much more than a roll-call of bands and artists. It is also the story of the festival itself, its complex relationship with the media, and with local government, business and the police.  Above all, this is the story of the fans and their annual pilgrimage to the festival site by the Thames. Rain or shine, heatwave or mudslide, they make the Reading Festival what it is, and ensure that its special atmosphere will continue for many years to come.

Online orders: orders@orcabookservices.co.uk

The book is also available online at Amazon, W H Smith, Virgin, Play.com, HMV, Waterstones and available in stores nationwide.