The Dead Library: Essential Grateful Dead Books

The Dead Library is where the Grateful Dead's story gets told in full — Dennis McNally's definitive band history, Blair Jackson's deep dives into the gear and the tape vaults, Robert Hunter's own words, and everything else that helps you understand how thirty years on the road turned into an American songbook. Whether you're chasing the '77 mythology or trying to understand how "Dark Star" became a verb, it starts here.

Pair it with the Grateful Dead vinyl collection for the records these books are written about.

Explore more of the family: Jerry Garcia Books and Phil Lesh Books.

Frequently asked questions

What is Relix's connection to these Grateful Dead books?

Relix has covered the Grateful Dead since 1974, and two titles on this page — the 60 Years of The Grateful Dead Experience retrospective and the Bobby Weir tribute edition — are Relix's own commemorative books.

What happened to Bob Weir?

Bob Weir, a founding member and the Grateful Dead's rhythm guitarist, died in January 2026, not long after performing in the band's 60th-anniversary shows at Golden Gate Park the previous summer.

When did the Grateful Dead form, and why does '60 years' come up so often?

The Grateful Dead formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1965, making 2025 the band's 60th anniversary — marked by reunion shows and by commemorative books like the ones on this page.

Are these new books, or rare and out-of-print copies?

Both. This page mixes current releases with hard-to-find memoirs, biographies, and photography books — some signed or limited-run. Check each product page for edition details.