Rating: 
Summary: Trouble Man
Review: In reading this David Ritz account of the life and times of Marvin Gaye, you get the feeling he was the ultimate contradiction. He had the public persona of being a sex machine, but privately he thought of himself as sexually inadequate. He praised God and His message, yet was constantly consuming cocaine and other drugs. He thought of himself as the prince of soul, yet was always doubting his ability. In fact it seems that just about everything that Marvin Gaye did in his life was marked with both pain and pleasure. Ritz provides the reader with entry to the innerworking of Gaye's mind and soul. The chapters that contain the reviews of Gaye's musical work (especially the one regarding his musical masterpiece What's Going On) are extremely insightful. The one drawback to the book is that Ritz is a little too melodramitic in his account of the last years of Gaye's life. He details them in a bit of a soap opera fashion. That is only a minor complaint though and I would highly recommend this book. Marvin Gaye was a tortured genius and his life makes for compelling reading.
Rating:
Summary: Bearing Marvin Gaye's Very Soul!
Review: It usually takes me about four days to get through a book. "The Divided Soul" took me almost two months! I had no idea how tortured Marvin Gaye was...I'm surprised he lived as long as he did.He was obviously sexually addicted and had conflicts about his own sexuality, especially with his father being androgynous and leaning more to the effeminate side. To think that a singer as great as Marvin Gaye, would have any jealousy for other male singers was surprising. His admiration/jealousy for singers like Levi Stubbs and David Ruffin astounded me. The fantasies about his wife having sex with other men and his obsession with prostitution, debauchery and pornography made it clear that something had happened to Marvin early in his early life. Never explained. His move to Belguim and his bazaar behavior had me reeling (thus, I put down the book for a couple of days). The book DOES have its funny moments. Gaye crawling out the men's room window, leaving Dionne Warwick deserted in the recording studio "playing tempermental diva" (Marvin had no time for that!) Mr. Ritz did a fabulous job. Too bad he was so dazzled by Aretha Franklin's legend with "From These Roots", not to grab her by the shoulders and scream, "let's tell the WHOLE truth, Diva!" He certainly laid bare Marvin's life. Reading this was almost too much to bear.
Rating: 
Summary: A very good job, a very sad story
Review: It's obvious from the start of this book that David Ritz had a great deal of appreciation and love for Marvin Gaye. It's also very apparent by the last chapter that his appreciation and love hasn't prevented Ritz from seeing Gaye's life from all sides. He explores his subject's strengths and failings with a deft hand; details that could have been tawdry and sensationalistic in a lesser writer becomes revelatory when Ritz deals with them. Everybody discussed in this book emerges with three dimensions. Marvin Gay, Sr., who was his son's killer, certainly did a monsterous, horrible thing, but Ritz goes to great lengths to try and understand both father and son and their hateful relationship, in order to make some sense out of the day Marvin, Jr. died. Similarly, Berry and Anna Gordy, Marvin's former boss and former wife, are neither roundly vilified or let off the hook; Ritz takes pains, for instance, to show that however much Berry Gordy may have stifled Marvin's growth as an artist (he hated WHAT'S GOING ON, rightly considered by many as the finest album Marvin Gaye ever recorded), he also gave Marvin his freedom on a number of other projects and always respected his talent. And Ritz doesn't whitewash his subject, either; it becomes clear that Marvin Gaye could be very warm and very hostile, equally surefooted and wreckless in his career. By the end of his life, Gaye had succumbed to the madness of his own demons and maybe, just maybe, there was no other way things could've turned out. If you've ever been buoyed by the jubilation of "How Sweet It Is" or moved by the passion of "What's Going On," you'd do well to read this excellent biography.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: Just reading this book is enough to make you laugh, cry, and feel for this man. Marvin was an innovator, way ahead of his time. He let us come into his life and live it with him. You read about his inspirations for his 1970s albums (Let's Get It On, I Want You, What's Going On?). You read about his pain, his triumphs, his insecurities. He was a human being as well as an artist. He is truly missed.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: Just reading this book is enough to make you laugh, cry, and feel for this man. Marvin was an innovator, way ahead of his time. He let us come into his life and live it with him. You read about his inspirations for his 1970s albums (Let's Get It On, I Want You, What's Going On?). You read about his pain, his triumphs, his insecurities. He was a human being as well as an artist. He is truly missed.
Rating: 
Summary: Troubled Prose
Review: Marvin Gaye led a fascinating life. Any biographer is going to be at an advantage when dealing with a life like this: Gaye was probably one of the most conflicted, self-destructive, and influential artists of the past half century.
Unfortunately, Ritz isn't a particularly great writer. His writing style is blunt, unpolished, and often redundant. His amateur attempts to psychoanalyze Gaye are embarassing; you don't have to be a psych major like myself to be completely aware of the failed father figure and mother-lover achetype cliches that Ritz is constantly referencing. Besides, Gaye's life so obviously displays these conflicts that it strikes this reader as ridiculous to continually point them out, especially in such obvious fashion.
Now, having said that, let me just refer to the first two sentences of this review and praise the author for what he does have that makes up for his stilted writing style: an immense wealth of research. Ritz was Gaye's official biographer, and therefore the book is filled with quotes from personal interviews with all manner of characters involved in Gaye's life. Gaye's parents, siblings, managers, sidemen (and one woman), and a few others are interviewed for this book, and there's hardly a page in the book that doesn't feature Gaye's own thoughts. A few significant characters are not interviewed -- his two wives, Berry Gordy, or Motown's two other largest stars, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder -- but it is understandable that these people would not grant interviews (has anyone interviewed Gordy?) and given the numerous interviews Ritz did conduct, it seems logical that he would have tried to gain access to these people. Truthfully, you don't even notice these people's absence, since it's a biography of Gaye, and his voice is everywhere.
And, as I said earlier, it's a compelling story. Despite the poor writing style, I tore through the book. I love Gaye's music, and his story is so fascinating and heartbreaking, that hearing it through Gaye's own voice makes the book worth reading.
Another credit to the author for not dwelling on his role in writing "Sexual Healing." It would have been easy to detail how much credit he deserved, but he only briefly describes the conversation that led to the song's creation and focuses on it led to the "Midnight Love" album and the final phase of Gaye's career.
It's probably fair to call this the "definitive" biography. Ritz certainly did his homework, and it does pay off. Gaye's extensive musings on his life and career provide fascinating reading, and often allow the reader to forget the distractions of the writer's own contributions. There are plenty of other biographies on Gaye to read (none of which I have read), but my guess would be that, despite the awkward prose that fills it, this book should probably accompany every other biography of Marvin Gaye.
Rating:
Summary: Troubled Prose
Review: Marvin Gaye led a fascinating life. Any biographer is going to be at an advantage when dealing with a life like this: Gaye was probably one of the most conflicted, self-destructive, and influential artists of the past half century.
Unfortunately, Ritz isn't a particularly great writer. His writing style is blunt, unpolished, and often redundant. His amateur attempts to psychoanalyze Gaye are embarassing; you don't have to be a psych major like myself to be completely aware of the failed father figure and mother-lover achetype cliches that Ritz is constantly referencing. Besides, Gaye's life so obviously displays these conflicts that it strikes this reader as ridiculous to continually point them out, especially in such obvious fashion.
Now, having said that, let me just refer to the first two sentences of this review and praise the author for what he does have that makes up for his stilted writing style: an immense wealth of research. Ritz was Gaye's official biographer, and therefore the book is filled with quotes from personal interviews with all manner of characters involved in Gaye's life. Gaye's parents, siblings, managers, sidemen (and one woman), and a few others are interviewed for this book, and there's hardly a page in the book that doesn't feature Gaye's own thoughts. A few significant characters are not interviewed -- his two wives, Berry Gordy, or Motown's two other largest stars, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder -- but it is understandable that these people would not grant interviews (has anyone interviewed Gordy?) and given the numerous interviews Ritz did conduct, it seems logical that he would have tried to gain access to these people. Truthfully, you don't even notice these people's absence, since it's a biography of Gaye, and his voice is everywhere.
And, as I said earlier, it's a compelling story. Despite the poor writing style, I tore through the book. I love Gaye's music, and his story is so fascinating and heartbreaking, that hearing it through Gaye's own voice makes the book worth reading.
Another credit to the author for not dwelling on his role in writing "Sexual Healing." It would have been easy to detail how much credit he deserved, but he only briefly describes the conversation that led to the song's creation and focuses on it led to the "Midnight Love" album and the final phase of Gaye's career.
It's probably fair to call this the "definitive" biography. Ritz certainly did his homework, and it does pay off. Gaye's extensive musings on his life and career provide fascinating reading, and often allow the reader to forget the distractions of the writer's own contributions. There are plenty of other biographies on Gaye to read (none of which I have read), but my guess would be that, despite the awkward prose that fills it, this book should probably accompany every other biography of Marvin Gaye.
Rating:
Summary: Head and shoulders above most pop music bios
Review: Marvin Gaye was blessed many times over. Blessed with a powerful creativity and an equally powerful voice with which to express it. He was likewise blessed in his biographer David Ritz. Mr. Ritz knew his subject well, getting personally involved in Marvin's life at a time many believed his career was waning. Ritz knew better and was one of the few who recognized the shimmering brilliance of Marvin's HERE MY DEAR. Ritz not only brings an insider's perspective on Marvin's complicated career and often troubled personal life, but is capable of seeing him as both fan and friend. The book, unlike many pop music bios, is written in a refreshingly graceful prose. It is a joy to read. I recommend it to anyone who has a copy of WHAT'S GOING ON.
Rating:
Summary: Marvin's Troubled Career starts right here
Review: Marvin had a lotta history going aside him when this book came after a year he died (the year I was born 1984). The only part interest me is that he had the same feeling wearing women's clothing like his father did when he was recalling back then. 2 me I had the same feature dressing like that like on Mrs. Doubtfire or Tootsie or whatever. Anyway as I was calling he did face a life-and-death situation on where he facing a decision of living the good life vs. the bad life. Or else I would say the resurrection. Marvin was more of a martyr or saved or unsaved Christian thats making it happen. For those that knew him and never read his book or listen to his music, should definitely know the details behind this man. As you know he's like a mentor to me whom I called an inspiration. I 'preciate the good success he had and may his senses still be with him forever. Even tho he's gone now as we know he was shot to death by his father Marvin Sr on April 1, 1984, a day be4 his 45th birthday (something I'll never forget), his legacy and music still lives between us. Sometimes we had to pray and wonder what God has in us in the near future. Look at right now, we lost a lot of music greats that grew between us, for example, Rick James, Barry White, Ray Charles, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Phyllis Hyman, Grover Washington, Jr., 2Pac, Biggie, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC, Aaliyah, Jam Master Jay, Curtis Mayfield, Russell "ODB or Dirt McGirt" Jones, you name it. Like look what they left before they been around. I know a lot of people are worrying that there not here anymore. Praise God. As you know, they not coming back no more, they're still in peace w/ God making sure there spirits, legacies, and memories would never be forgotten. This is something u should watch for when you're living the glamourest life or spirit-filled life. Whether u'll be around or not, you know God always be w/ you no matter what, he'll still be there to protect u and guide u. Yeah I read this book completely and I'll read it to the fullest until I'm dead and gone in the future. I'm 'specially a musician too where I play different instruments which I experiemented while growing up the piano, keyboard, organ, percussion, recorder, guitar, drums, trumpet (which is my 1st love), trombone, a lil bit of the saxophone and flute of course, french horn, euphonium, valve trombone, flugelhorn, etc. I wish MArvin was here to see me play but I'll let him know I still have love and faith for him just like I do with my mom and dad who are an inspiration to me. I recommend you should buy this book and check out other books I read like Mase's memoir, Chet Baker's memoir, Nelson George's Hip-Hop America, Quincy Jones' memoir, Allison Hobbs' Insatiable, Wayne Normis' The Last Street Fighter, and Trouble Man: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye by Steve Turner. Yeah Marvin would live on in my hearts and hopefully years 2 come. Wish his family would be proud if I see this. Rest in Peace, Marvin Gaye, your spirit lives on in us.
Rating:
Summary: Truely a Divided Man
Review: One of the best biographies around concerning the highs and lows of the music business. Marvin story mirrors the struggle for expression found in the 60s which culminated in the all-time classic album "What's Going On". Sadly, Marvin also mirrors the decadent decline of 60's idealism into 70's excess and drug addiction. But wow, what a singer, and what a complicated man. Ritz captures the tangled complexity and thus the appeal of Marvin and his music.
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