The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: David Bowie (Classic Rock Album Series)

Rating:
Summary: Stardust Memories
Review: David Bowie is the ultimate chameleon in rock. He has changed his image and persona and taken on alter egos so many times it's tough to remember them all. One that rises above them all and is impossible to forget is Ziggy Stardust. The image of the androgynous glam rocker has lived on and gave rise to Mr. Bowie's most critically acclaimed and arguably best album. Mark Paytress examines the making of the album as well as the circumstances surrounding the creation of Ziggy Stardust and his Spiders From Mars. The book also details Mr. Bowie's career before the album with the most revealing and interesting being his early days in the music business. Mr. Paytress writes in too much a fan style as opposed to a journalistic style, but overall it is a solid book.

Rating:
Summary: Stardust Memories
Review: David Bowie is the ultimate chameleon in rock. He has changed his image and persona and taken on alter egos so many times it's tough to remember them all. One that rises above them all and is impossible to forget is Ziggy Stardust. The image of the androgynous glam rocker has lived on and gave rise to Mr. Bowie's most critically acclaimed and arguably best album. Mark Paytress examines the making of the album as well as the circumstances surrounding the creation of Ziggy Stardust and his Spiders From Mars. The book also details Mr. Bowie's career before the album with the most revealing and interesting being his early days in the music business. Mr. Paytress writes in too much a fan style as opposed to a journalistic style, but overall it is a solid book.

Rating:
Summary: Bowie By Any Name...
Review: I've not read it and see no reason why you ought to, other than any narration of Bowie's life is bound to be intriguing. He lived in such a manner that a detailed listing of the contents of his sock drawer could not be less than fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: Full of info, and other stuff.
Review: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy and the Spiders was actually not as bad as I thought it would be. "In the begining..." there was David Robert Jones. From there it progresses into Bowie's life, his music, and commentary on other "aspects". Complete with photos and LOTS of refrences, I'd say overall this is a pretty good book, but a must only if you're a die-hard Ziggy fan always on the lookout for new ideas.

Rating:
Summary: a great book!!
Review: This book was great. If you are a Bowie worshipper you will love this book. I fyou are not a Bowie fan you will probobly not like it.

Rating:
Summary: 2 1/2 stars
Review: This book was okay, but more superficial than I expected. It's advertised as getting to the heart of the writing and recording of the album itself. I was expecting details about neat studio tricks (how they got this or that sound), whose idea it was to arrange the piece this or that way, discussions about different mixes of the songs, what the different people involved with the album were like to work with, etc..., but the book isn't particularly detailed in these areas. I would wager that a lot of the people who like this album enough to buy a book about it would also want more of these esoteric details. But I guess it might be enjoyable if you're kind of a casual Bowie fan and want to get an idea of the tenor of the times during the which the album came out. Great album, okay book.

Rating:
Summary: 2 1/2 stars
Review: This book was okay, but more superficial than I expected. It's advertised as getting to the heart of the writing and recording of the album itself. I was expecting details about neat studio tricks (how they got this or that sound), whose idea it was to arrange the piece this or that way, discussions about different mixes of the songs, what the different people involved with the album were like to work with, etc..., but the book isn't particularly detailed in these areas. I would wager that a lot of the people who like this album enough to buy a book about it would also want more of these esoteric details. But I guess it might be enjoyable if you're kind of a casual Bowie fan and want to get an idea of the tenor of the times during the which the album came out. Great album, okay book.