House music is finally getting its history tome, courtesy of none other than Chicago native and DJ extraordinaire Jesse Saunders. Often credited as “the originator of house music,” he wrote, recorded, and pressed the genre’s very first record back in 1984, and has joined forces with writer James Cummins to release House Music: The Real Story.

Though the book is technically Saunders’ autobiography, the story of house music unfolds simultaneously, from its days on Chicago’s streets to the Warehouse club, to record labels, and beyond. And apparently Saunders’ has no problem pointing a finger at individuals and events that gave eventually the genre a bad rep. A little dishing of dirt always livens things up.

A book party is set for February 27 at the Strictly Social club in Los Angeles, with Saunders playing a special DJ set. House Music: The Real Story is out now.