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furey's review against another edition
4.0
The book is best when Bruce is talking about the music and the band. He has an honest, from the heart response to the band and the people around him. His obsession with music is powerful and that power lulls you and the poetry wins you. When he writes about the artist known as Bruce Springsteen he is both too much ego and too self conscious. Maybe that is how it should be, but it feels uncomfortable and that is not a word I’ve ever associated with Bruce.
moonworld3's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
i read this to connect with my dad, springsteen’s biggest fan. it was incredible to learn about bruce’s life, the good and the bad. time to listen through his discography again, now with a greater appreciation for his lyrics.
sevenstarcircle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure what I expected, other than to enjoy the book. I have read quite a few books about Springsteen, so I know much of the preceived story. Bruce comes off as Bruce, a normal guy with normal worries (maybe a bit exaggerated, but still not extraordinary). The tone is bland and a bit negative. He'd tell me that it is not positive or negative, it just is. The dealings with the E Street Band are interesting, and in someways make me wonder what the remuneration (as he calls it) is for playing with him, because ht recounts almost as much as he discusses his dad's miseries, how they work for him, and that there is no group, there is Bruce with a backup band.
Best part was the story of playing Tumbling Dice with the Stones in a NY studio. Very cool and fun to see him star struck.
Best part was the story of playing Tumbling Dice with the Stones in a NY studio. Very cool and fun to see him star struck.
lgeorge1025's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read. I have always been a huge fan. Now even more so.
jderv's review against another edition
4.0
A very good autobiography where he paints a vivid picture of his early life through to present time. It is a warts and all approach and he really illustrates how his origins impact everything in his life; work, relationships, mental health, etc. My only slight issue is with writing style and the over-abundance of adjectives in many of the chapters... it makes for slow reading and comprehension (at least for me) as I struggled and read some sentences multiple times to make sure I understood what he was saying. His writing style is definitely something he has spent a lot of time crafting for this book with each word chosen - it seems very meticulously, I'm sure in the same manner that he thinks about song lyrics. That being said, while I really loved the book, it was a bit of a "chore" at times to read. The book is primarily laid out in short chapters which also makes for ease of reading and the ability to put-down/pick-up without losing context.
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
5.0
Whew! Bruce is a hard worker. At his peak (the 1980s) he did four hour concerts when the standard was half that. So it's no surprise that his autobiography is a monumental work.
The first few hundred pages, covering his childhood and years as the guitar player with a few different Jersey bar bands, are the best. The story of paying the Lincoln Tunnel toll with borrowed pennies recalls a different America, one where a working class Jersey boy followed his passion into homelessness, not law school.
The book has its weak points. He misstates a few facts and dates. He uses ALL CAPITAL letters to express enthusiasm. He is repetitious on some topics and close mouthed on others.
But here is Bruce's real magic trick. His songs and his autobiography inspire us to believe in our dreams of hope and glory.
And so I give him a pass. A different author would get a numbered list of snarky critiques. Bruce gets five stars.
Excuse me. I need to listen to "Thunder Road" again. Those opening notes. The plangent evocation of teenage summer. Mary's dress waves.
The first few hundred pages, covering his childhood and years as the guitar player with a few different Jersey bar bands, are the best. The story of paying the Lincoln Tunnel toll with borrowed pennies recalls a different America, one where a working class Jersey boy followed his passion into homelessness, not law school.
The book has its weak points. He misstates a few facts and dates. He uses ALL CAPITAL letters to express enthusiasm. He is repetitious on some topics and close mouthed on others.
But here is Bruce's real magic trick. His songs and his autobiography inspire us to believe in our dreams of hope and glory.
And so I give him a pass. A different author would get a numbered list of snarky critiques. Bruce gets five stars.
Excuse me. I need to listen to "Thunder Road" again. Those opening notes. The plangent evocation of teenage summer. Mary's dress waves.