Sunday, May 1, 2011

Taking Woodstock by Elliot Tiber with Tom Monte

Taking Woodstock is a nonfiction book that follows the life of Elliot Tiber, the man that took over Woodstock. Woodstock is a 3 day concert, full of music, peace, and love. In 1969, they needed a new place to put it. Elliot Tiber lived in Bethel by White Lake, New York with his parents. It was a run down town on the side of the highway that did not get very many visitors. Tiber's parents owned a run down hotel that rarely had any occupants. Elliot moved to New York to try to make money for his parents so they could keep living. When he heard that Woodstock needed a new home, he knew just the place. He was head of the town's board, so he had the ability to hold the music fest in Bethel. The town grew very upset with Elliot for causing all of the chaos that came with the festival. Millions of people flooded the tiny town to take part in the music festival. The book follows Elliot through the planning and problems of Woodstock. It also follows his life as he comes out and becomes who he truly is.
1. While saving up money to move away from Bethel, Elliot Tiber's parents almost had to declare bankruptcy. His sister told him to get as far away as he could. But Elliot gave all of his money to his crazy parents, and he was therefore stuck in Bethel. Would you give up all of your hard earned money to your parents knowing it is the only way you can get to a better life and that your parents were just going to lose it all again?
2. The people that lived in Bethel were outraged that Elliot let such a concert happen in their home, even though it brought them enough business to stay open forever. Elliot risked everything he had ever done when he agreed to have Woodstock in Bethel. Would you risk everything you had to try to make a better life?

17 comments:

Ashlyn W. 7-8 said...

1). I would like to think I'd do everything I could to help my parents out. I can't say I'd give them all of my money though because I've never been in that situation.

Natesa W. 7-8 said...

1. I agree with Ashlyn that I would try to do what I could. But if I knew that they were just going to lose all of the money I would not want to give it all to them.

Natesa W. 7-8 said...

1. I think that I would risk everything. If I wasn't in a very good situation to begin with then there is not much that I could lose.

Avi D. 7/8 said...

1. I agree with these ladies on the fact that under no circumstances would I ever give my hard earned money away even if it were my parents. It would not make any sense to just throw away money without getting anything in return. with gambling atleast you get enjoyment and company.

AnaleeL7-8 said...

2) Yes I would risk everything i had in order to make a better life if it was something I truly believed in. I would rather learn from a mistake then live a life of regret wondering what could have happened.

Ashley B. 1-2 said...

I do not think that I would give my parents all of my hard earned money knowing that in a town like Bethel, it would soon be gone. On the other hand I would try to help them out to the best of my ability.

Kyle N.1-2 said...

1. If my parents needed it, I would definitely give it to them. They raised me and have done so much for me (including spending a ton of money for me) that I feel I would have to repay them if they needed it.

2. If I could make a better life for everyone, yes, I would definitely do it. I'm not sure I would do it through Woodstock though... :)

Hannah K. 1-2 said...

1. If I could help my parents without ruining my own prospects I would give them the money, but if I knew they weren't going to use it to help anything then I can't say that I would, at least not enough to cause a huge financial problem for myself.
2. Elliot had a life separate from his hometown, so I think that he should have taken the chance. He was in a position to increase business for the town, and he took it. Although it caused chaos, the chaos wouldn't last past the few days of the concert.

Lisa T. 1-2 said...

1. I would use the money I earned to find a way to better my own life so I'd be able to help my parents in the long run. If I just gave it to them knowing they would lose it, then there would be no hope for either of us...
2. I don't know why everyone was outraged when it was really a good thing that he was doing for the town. It seems like it was a great opportunity and if I were Elliot I would definitely have done it.

Sarah N. 7-8 said...

2. I think that I would risk everything I had in Elliot's case. He really had nothing to loose since his family was bankrupt and he gave all of his money away. Why not try one last way to finally become successful?

Megan M 1-2 said...

1. I agree with Ashlyn, I would like to think that I would do whatever I could for my family to try and make it better, but I have never been in that situation so I do not know what I would actually do.

Heather B. 1-2 said...

1.) I think I would try to help my family by any means possible because I would have the rest of my life to escape and by helping them I would be giving them the chance to live their lives as well.


2.) I think although I would try and risk everything, I would first look for alternatives that may not be as monumental as Woodstock, but would still make a comfortable living possible.

Abby M. 1-2 said...

2. Even though it was a big risk I think I would have done it. Elliot had the foresight to realize that Woodstock would help the town even when others didn't, so I think he did the right thing.

Sarah H 1-2 said...

I would do my very best to help my parents but I would not give them every last penny of my hard earned money.

Sydney M 7-8 said...

1. I'd definately give some money to my parents. I would keep a lot of though, especially if my parents would just throw it all away. It would be such a waste, and Elliot could have made a great life with that money.

Ganielle D. 1-2 said...

1) Let me be frank for a second -- NO! If I was 100% (and then some) positive my mom was going to blow the money I give her, I wouldn't even fathom giving it to her. I'm a girl who loves money and I'm not going to let it be blow easily, just sayin'. It's strange to say, but I think in me and my mom's relationship, we're more like friends and I sometimes take on the traits of being a mother. Nonetheless, given the situation that I know Elliot's parents are in (because I've read the book), maybe they need it and need to be taught how to spend it wisely.

2) Definitely.

Anna W. 1-2 said...

1. I think I would give some of my money to my parents since they have raised me an done a lot for me, however it would be frutrated knowng they would just lose it.

2. I think it would depend on the situation. If I had a lot of faith that my risk would out wiegh the negatives, then I would go for it just as Elliot did.