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A review by duparker
Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin
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?"