Strange Fascination: David Bowie : The Definitive

Rating:
Summary: Excellence
Review: As a huge Bowie fan, and someone who sought factual information on the enigmatic rock legend i really enjoyed this book. There is more to recommend it than the cover (best picture of Bowie ive ever seen), Buckley meets just about anyone who was ever connected with Bowie, drawing upon bandmates like Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick, as well as contributions from producers such as Tony Visconti and Nile Rodgers as well as sound masters such as Eno, to give us a fuller picture of Bowie throughout the last four decades. What i like in particular about this book is the descriptions of Bowie's 'bad times', the 74-76 period in particular is very full and well outlined. If you love Bowie, you'll love reading this. The book also tries to uncover the meaning and history behind individual classic songs such as Heroes, Station To Station and Life On Mars?, which many of the other Bowie books dont do. As a biography of course we must not automatically accept everything in the book as fact, i mean for example, Bowie didnt contribute or endorse the book - but he never supports or endorses biographies of himself anyway, so just a teeny weeny pinch of salt sometimes thoughout might be wise.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best Bowie biography ever written!
Review: Believe me, I have read most of them. You can trust me: this is the best Bowie biography ever published. The only drawback is that his pre-1969 years are described rather superficiously. But once you get to "Space Oddity", you realize you're reading a worthy tome by a knowledgeable writer. Buckley is a long-time Bowie fan and he got to interview key people in David's career, most of whom were still associated with the singer at the time of writing (unlike other biographies, where only former associates are heard). But unlike some fans you may have met, Buckley has a critical, non-biased view of Bowie's life. While most biographers concentrate on secondary aspects and anecdotes, Buckley hits the nail in the head and takes you right through the spinal cord of David's career. Whether you're a diehard Bowie fan or a newcomer looking for information, this book is for you!

Rating:
Summary: Solid, well-balanced book
Review: Buckley has slillfully juggled a proper critical distance with the evident enthusiasm of the long-time David Bowie fan. Quick to praise the highlights of his subject's career, he is equally adept at pricking the bubble of pomposity that has often surrounded Bowie, exposing his coke-addled rantings and deriding the leaden Tin Machine.

Rating:
Summary: Balanced book about a complicated artist
Review: By his nature, David Bowie isn't an easy person to write a book about. He is very complicated, closed, and truly a "chameleon", which is the label many put on him. Buckley does an admirable job. He is obviously a devout fan, but he writes this book with a very balanced view. It is neither complete idolatry, nor is it a "kiss and tell" book. Instead, it is mostly about Bowie's art (music is obviously most of that, but his other forays as well) and how he works. There are tidbits of gossip here and there, as well as an aspect of setting the record straight. His early life isn't covered very much at all, and I would have liked to have heard more about his relationship with his brother Terry. The book goes as recent as 2000. Overall a great read, but I am left with one question....am I really the only one out there who loved the "Glass Spider" album??? I thought it was great!!!

Rating:
Summary: Well-written and informative, but slightly shallow
Review: David Buckley certainly knows his subject having even written a PhD thesis on Bowie. In spite of that, this book is (in my twisted view at least) sadly not a very academic or high-brow approach to Bowie's art. Instead it is a rather straightforward biography with more emphasis on Bowie as an artist than as a person. I would have liked to see a more in-depth academical analysis of him, but I guess that wouldn't appeal to so many of his fans. Anyway, it is probably the best book on Bowie around so I recommend it. The only thing that really bothers me is the very strange collection of pictures Buckley has picked for the book. He seems to like those where Bowie has (to me at least) this really nasty, unpleasant grin. (Check out the Thin White Duke picture and the one with Bolan for example.) That is a shame I think, when he quite frankly is the most photogenic person alive.