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Rating: 
Summary: Well tried
Review: I've read this. I think it's unremarkable. I'm not sure that's Humphries' fault - or anybody else's for that matter.
Humphries is quite obviously a Thompson fan. Mostly he makes a fair fist of remaining objective about Thompson's work, though he does get on the soapbox from time to time to air his own views.
The real problem with this book is that there's no real revelation. Some people might be surprised to know that RT is fond of scrabble, cricket and gardening (the anoraks amongst his fans knew all that already), but that's about it really.
The real problem - and it's not really the author's fault - is that Thompson, apart from his music, is a very ordinary person. English post-war middle class upbringing, two marriages, one divorce, one religious conversion (which hasn't coloured his work in the long run). Still touring hard in his middle age but there's no sex and drugs, no groupies, just a bit of scrabble at the back of the bus. Where's the best seller in that?
So full marks to Humphries for trying and full marks to the very private Thompson for agreeing to go along with it all, but unless you're a Thompson completist save the cash and buy the CDs instead. That is where all the truly remarkable things about Richard Thompson are to be found.
Rating:
Summary: The Only Game in Town
Review: If you're reading this it's probably because you are a Richard Thompson fan. And if you are a real fan, you should get this because: 1) There are no other Richard Thompson biographies (books) 2) It has good reference material in the appendices (although inevitably it's out of date) 3) No one's going to get rich off of writing a Richard Thompson bio, and we should support whoever makes the effort, espcially when it's not THAT expensive 4) You will find out something(s) you didn't know [Afghanistan & "Shoot Out the Lights"; scrabble; "Walking on the Wire" was before the breakup] 5) This book looks like it might be going out of print. Get it while you can. HOWEVER: A good biography makes the person come alive; it succeeds as a story on its own. This doesn't make it on that level. (Yeah, it does have an index [required] but the index didn't have Pentangle, mentioned several times in the text...) SO there's my Caveat Emptor. The passersby could bypass this with no worry; but if you're a fan....
Rating: 
Summary: Good for fans - otherwise, get the albums
Review: If you're reading this it's probably because you are a Richard Thompson fan. And if you are a real fan, you should get this because: 1) There are no other Richard Thompson biographies (books) 2) It has good reference material in the appendices (although inevitably it's out of date) 3) No one's going to get rich off of writing a Richard Thompson bio, and we should support whoever makes the effort, espcially when it's not THAT expensive 4) You will find out something(s) you didn't know [Afghanistan & "Shoot Out the Lights"; scrabble; "Walking on the Wire" was before the breakup] 5) This book looks like it might be going out of print. Get it while you can. HOWEVER: A good biography makes the person come alive; it succeeds as a story on its own. This doesn't make it on that level. (Yeah, it does have an index [required] but the index didn't have Pentangle, mentioned several times in the text...) SO there's my Caveat Emptor. The passersby could bypass this with no worry; but if you're a fan....
Rating:
Summary: Facts abound, but style is frustrating in this biography.
Review: Let me begin by saying that this book is mandatory for any hardcore fan of Mr. Thompson's. While I appreciated the thorough coverage of Thompson's adventures (and mis-adventures), I believe that it would not entertain the unconverted. Most non-fans or newcomers could probably best spend their time simply reading Humphries' reviews.One problem that I had with the book is the author's insistence on repeating certain phrases or ideas to describe Thompson's enigmatic position in the industry, or to express the difficulties in his personal life. If I saw Thomspon ... along with two or three other artists of the genre, for that matter ... referred to as "a bard of the bedsit" one more time, I think I would have closed the book and not re-opened it. What strikes me when reading this author's work and I've read two of his books) is that he should: conduct all of the interviews that are used in his work (his skills in this area are very strong), utilize all of his knowledge as a fan and fact-finding skills to compile discographies, etc., and find himself a far better editor, or link with a writing partner who could check him for repetitiveness and verbosity; both of which became more problematic as the book wears on.
Rating:
Summary: Good Enough
Review: There isn't much information out there about Richard Thompson. As such, this book fills in a lot of empty spaces for me; however, compared to similar books about other musicians it is pretty tame. The best aspect of this book is that it had the cooperation of the subject as well as many of RT's friends and fellow musicians which many similar books do not. Overall, it is a nice book about a very under-rated musician.
Rating:
Summary: Good Enough
Review: There isn't much information out there about Richard Thompson. As such, this book fills in a lot of empty spaces for me; however, compared to similar books about other musicians it is pretty tame. The best aspect of this book is that it had the cooperation of the subject as well as many of RT's friends and fellow musicians which many similar books do not. Overall, it is a nice book about a very under-rated musician.
Rating:
Summary: The Only Game in Town
Review: This book is worthwhile simply because it is the only one out on the subject. But there are few revelations, it merely conslidates information that has appeared in articles and interviews over the years. The interviews are rewarding, but should have been edited for coherence and attribution. The writing is trite, hackneyed, and the author too frequently inserts himself and his very biased opinions into the story. And a number of factual blunders calls all the apparent research into question. Disappointing, sometimes apalling, but the only game in town.
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