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johnw613's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.25
Philip Norman, perhaps the most experienced chronicler of the British Invasion in pop music, has penned an exhaustively researched and eruditely written biography of the Rolling Stones’ bad boy front man. Unlike many counterculture icons, Michael Jagger came from a comfortable middle class childhood to win a place at the London School of Economics and eventually answered the call of rhythm and blues, his band constantly jockeying with what Norman describes as “those insectoid upstarts from the unknown far north” for supremacy and bragging rights. Like many pop icons of the era Jagger dabbled in illegal substances, but his usage fell far short of the benchmarks set by his peers, and his nearly nerdy fastidiousness is well chronicled. The book is sympathetic almost to the point of hagiography but is packed with details and anecdotes from time in the public eye that has now passed the six decade mark.
gijs's review against another edition
2.0
1,5 stars; This was a complete failure and a major disappointment given Jagger’s unreal, eventful rock-God life. The narrative was second rate, pallid, second hand, invariably from-the-outside-looking-in (still don't know anything more about Jagger than I could've cobbled together from available public sources) and straight out boring to boot.
toddlleopold's review
5.0
Philip Norman -- whose biography of John Lennon was brilliant, saying something about a man who had seemed to have everything already said -- takes on the inscrutable Mick Jagger. He doesn't quite crack Mick's shell, but does unearth a more human side to a man who has tried to remain a perpetual teenager since, oh, 1973 (to the detriment of his music). At any rate, he does a better job at interpreting Jagger than pretty much anyone before, including Mick's pal Keef and certainly Sir Mick himself. Highly recommended (but read "Lennon" first, it'll break your heart).
readorperish's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
A deep dive into a rock icon. Well researched and interesting.
robinsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It is reported that until Mick writes his own memoir, this promises to be the definitive biography of Mick Jagger.
Update: Waaaay to wordy at times; I found myself skimming some of the more detailed events that I really didn't care about. I would have liked to have learned more about his song-writing and musical processes. Also, since I had also read the Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood memoirs, at times it got a little repetitious.
Update: Waaaay to wordy at times; I found myself skimming some of the more detailed events that I really didn't care about. I would have liked to have learned more about his song-writing and musical processes. Also, since I had also read the Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood memoirs, at times it got a little repetitious.
uberbutter's review against another edition
4.0
Mick Jagger by Philip Norman
★★★★
First off, I am happy I finally finished a book this month! It’s about time!
Many people I have talked to have an opinion – Beatles or The Rolling Stones. And I’m not going to lie; I’m in the Beatles camp all the way. But when my husband showed up with this book from the library for me to read (long story short, he likes to surprise me with a book a month – my own personal book club. But with money constraints we’ve gone from purchasing a book a month to checking one out at the library once a month – always a random book he picks out for me) I decided, what the heck. I know little about Mick Jagger except for juicy tidbits picked up from unreliable sources and the author is a great one at his biographies (I’ve also read his books on The Beatle, John Lennon, and Elton John). I was not disappointed. Perhaps it was because I had low expectations since I’m not a Jagger fan but regardless of whether one likes him or his band – he is an interesting man although from the sound of it, not quite as interesting as his fellow bandmate Keith Richards. The author was fairly objective which is one reason I’ve always enjoyed Philip Norman. I learned a lot of things about Mick Jagger and his band and I must admit that some respect was gained in my reading of this book. After all, high five to any group who has managed to be around since 1962 and can successfully still tour and make records. Keep in mind that is a long one – over 600 pages so if you’re not into biographies, especially on famous people, this may be one to skip. Otherwise, give it a try. You might be surprised. I know I was.
★★★★
First off, I am happy I finally finished a book this month! It’s about time!
Many people I have talked to have an opinion – Beatles or The Rolling Stones. And I’m not going to lie; I’m in the Beatles camp all the way. But when my husband showed up with this book from the library for me to read (long story short, he likes to surprise me with a book a month – my own personal book club. But with money constraints we’ve gone from purchasing a book a month to checking one out at the library once a month – always a random book he picks out for me) I decided, what the heck. I know little about Mick Jagger except for juicy tidbits picked up from unreliable sources and the author is a great one at his biographies (I’ve also read his books on The Beatle, John Lennon, and Elton John). I was not disappointed. Perhaps it was because I had low expectations since I’m not a Jagger fan but regardless of whether one likes him or his band – he is an interesting man although from the sound of it, not quite as interesting as his fellow bandmate Keith Richards. The author was fairly objective which is one reason I’ve always enjoyed Philip Norman. I learned a lot of things about Mick Jagger and his band and I must admit that some respect was gained in my reading of this book. After all, high five to any group who has managed to be around since 1962 and can successfully still tour and make records. Keep in mind that is a long one – over 600 pages so if you’re not into biographies, especially on famous people, this may be one to skip. Otherwise, give it a try. You might be surprised. I know I was.
satyridae's review
3.0
Norman gives what appears to be a fairly evenhanded treatment of Jagger's life to date, though he seems obsessed with the "Mars Bar incident" and refers to it way too many times after initially debunking it. This is a really long book that doesn't even begin to be exhaustive- Jagger's life has been so full of women, of song, and of wine (where wine= any mind altering substance) that there's hardly room to cover half of it. My favorite parts were the chapters concerning the Rolling Stones tours that I have attended. I also found reading about Jagger's relationship with his kids purely fascinating. Yeah, I'm a fangirl.
It was interesting that it seemed to me that Norman started off with what seemed to me sort of an attitude that was anti-Mick, pro-Marianne, then in the middle of the book he seemed more or less on Mick's team, but by the end of the book was very pro-Jerry. Um, I sort of sound like E! Weekly, don't I?
If you're a Jagger fan, don't miss this.
It was interesting that it seemed to me that Norman started off with what seemed to me sort of an attitude that was anti-Mick, pro-Marianne, then in the middle of the book he seemed more or less on Mick's team, but by the end of the book was very pro-Jerry. Um, I sort of sound like E! Weekly, don't I?
If you're a Jagger fan, don't miss this.
stephend81d5's review
3.0
interesting read into the life and ego of mick jagger detailing his career from kent to one of the most well known lead singer of all time and norman pulls no punches when he looks at jagger
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