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teensprings's review against another edition
5.0
My first review would of course have to be on this book. Bruce is god. I gave it five stars purely because after I read it I felt like I knew the man personally, and is that not what every biography should aim to bring to its reader? I thought it could have done with more in depth detail about his latter years as a musician, father and friend as the first half of the book went into minute detail about his endeavours as a musician and a person (which I loved). But all in all it has made me fall in love with the Boss all over again, not because the book buffed him up to be a perfect rock star but because it made Bruce out to be just like the rest of us.
juliet15's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.5
First 1/2 - 3/4 was really engaging and insightful. I loved reading about the early days, and then the early albums. How long it really took for him to find mainstream success, despite putting out some of my favorite albums of all time. The later part of the book really slowed down for me. I either wasn’t as interested because I’m not connected to a lot of the ‘newer’ music, or it was just less interesting in general. The later years felt a bit more disjointed and unfocused in the writing. Overall, I’d say it’s worth the read if you’re a true Bruce fan, but it might be tough to get through if you’re not.
ttodd86's review against another edition
3.0
Probably a 3+ book if you are a Springsteen fan. Some good info about the early days -- the more recent time period (unfortunately) reads more like a checklist or resume of Bruce's carer.
If you are not a fan, but just curious, then the book is maybe a 2. It could have used a better editor. A lot of redundancy in the text. Too many footnotes -- most should either be in the body copy or removed. Some odd choices in how and when people are introduced to the story. By the way, author Peter Carlin wants to be sure you know that he interviewed Clarence Clemons right before his stroke -- and he points it out many times.
If you are not a fan, but just curious, then the book is maybe a 2. It could have used a better editor. A lot of redundancy in the text. Too many footnotes -- most should either be in the body copy or removed. Some odd choices in how and when people are introduced to the story. By the way, author Peter Carlin wants to be sure you know that he interviewed Clarence Clemons right before his stroke -- and he points it out many times.
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
I thought about giving this book a five star rating. In the end I think it is 4.5. This is partly, because I think that while I'll re-read portions, I might not re-read the whole book. Also, I am not sure if the book is too long, or nor long enough. The first 300 pages cover 80 years, or so, and the last 160 cover 35 years. I understand that with most history books, no matter if the subject is a person, place or thing, that the more recent time frame is less fleshed out, but I am not sure that works here. I wonder if another 100 pages could have fleshed out the last 10 years better. Bruce has put out a lot of music in that time. There is text covering the E-Street band's reaction to being on hiatus and seeing other musician's playing their music in the early 90s, but no reaction to not being asked to play on the Seeger themed albums. I am not sure this adds anything, but I can't help wondering if there really were 2 300 page books here.
The overall tone is great, though the last two chapters find a more personal, "us" tone to them, and the book is meticulously researched. I read a review, or two, that stated that this is the most personal book about Springsteen, that will be written by anyone not in the inner circle. I can see that. The interviews and access were obviously well thought out and planned.
I did wonder what was there new to say? A lot of the information is either in the culture's or fan base's general knowledge (Regean trying to co-opt the music, the 1980s dominance, the anti-Bush themes), but it all clearly written with a personal touch (from the interviews not from the author's POV). When you consider that there was a book on Bruce in 2011 and 2012, and that I've read 12 in total, you wonder how much there is to say. Yes this took 9 days to read, but that wasn't because I was tired of the topic, or stymied on why to read it, that was because it isn't a good bedtime book. This book deserves your attention as you read it. Your attention and a re-listen to the albums as you read.
I'm glad I added this to the Springsteen collection, like his music, I am sure that I'll dig it out in a few years and think, "oh this was really good, why haven't I flipped through it lately?"
The overall tone is great, though the last two chapters find a more personal, "us" tone to them, and the book is meticulously researched. I read a review, or two, that stated that this is the most personal book about Springsteen, that will be written by anyone not in the inner circle. I can see that. The interviews and access were obviously well thought out and planned.
I did wonder what was there new to say? A lot of the information is either in the culture's or fan base's general knowledge (Regean trying to co-opt the music, the 1980s dominance, the anti-Bush themes), but it all clearly written with a personal touch (from the interviews not from the author's POV). When you consider that there was a book on Bruce in 2011 and 2012, and that I've read 12 in total, you wonder how much there is to say. Yes this took 9 days to read, but that wasn't because I was tired of the topic, or stymied on why to read it, that was because it isn't a good bedtime book. This book deserves your attention as you read it. Your attention and a re-listen to the albums as you read.
I'm glad I added this to the Springsteen collection, like his music, I am sure that I'll dig it out in a few years and think, "oh this was really good, why haven't I flipped through it lately?"
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
4.0
Only worth reading if you are a true Bruce fan but really fun for those of us who are. Carlin's song by song discussions of individual albums are intelligent, insightful, articulate.
Excellent on the early years. The last 100 pages or so, covering about 1995 to present, have that careless, oh-my-god-my-advance-is-running-out-feel.
Excellent on the early years. The last 100 pages or so, covering about 1995 to present, have that careless, oh-my-god-my-advance-is-running-out-feel.
barbarab's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
För lång, för detaljerade uppräkningar av alla låtar som spelades på alla konserter, kändes som inte som att författaren riktigt fått prata med Bruce annat än vid enstaka tillfällen.
johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
3.0
For Bruce nuts only. A straight-forward, fan-friendly bio. Fun nuggets throughout (Bruce thought “Linda Let Me Be the One” was as good as “Backstreets” & lobbied for its inclusion on “Born to Run.” Clarence’s review of Bruce’s 90s LA band: “They sucked.”), but far from an expose. I read it between books as a palate cleanser.
therevisionist's review against another edition
5.0
I'll be honest here, there could be a book written about Bruce's bowel movements and I would give it five stars. That being said, this was a very in-depth biography without a lot of stones overturned. I learned a ton of new stuff about The Boss (including a few things I wish I wouldn't have known about), and it painted a vibrant and intriguing picture of the man's life.