Reasons to Buy "American Top 40: The Countdown of the Century" by Rob Durkee

1. The complete story of the most-listened-to radio show in history...how it survived despite losing money in its first three years...the controversial change in hosts in 1988...how and why the show died in 1995...and how it was reborn in 1998.

2. A 68-page appendix, including all specials through 1991 and all year-end lists from 1970-1994.

3. The behind-the-scenes story of the underground "dead dog tape"--which lasts 76 seconds, starting with Casey reading a Long Distance Dedication and ending with him yelling and swearing.

4. The story of "American Top 40's" most popular feature, the Long Distance Dedication....and the most unusual LDD involving actress Cheryl Ladd.

5. Profiles on many of the show's substitute hosts, including Dick Clark, Gary Owens, Donny Osmond and Bob Eubanks.

6. The story behind the controversial Shadoe Stevens years, including Shadoe's pauses being edited and a contest so disorganized that the winners almost weren't announced.