Rating: 
Summary: Warts and All
Review: Having received my copy and spending three days reading it, then a further two weeks tearing it apart (visually and mentally)- I came to the conclusion that it's safer to not interview the famous/infamous as there will always be someone who will find fault with your style/conclusions whether warranted or not.In this book, MF is highly opinionated BUT would the reader prefer a watered down 'feel good' interview/biography, or to read it warts and all? Personally, I'd rather hear it straight. The reviews I've read so far regarding this book seem to be split into two seperate camps - Pro Mark Farner or Pro Don Brewer. If you are reading this book with an anti Mark Farner feel, then you will revel in the comments about Don Brewer or Terry Knight, as you have already made up your mind. If you are reading this book with a view to enjoying the basis behind it and ignoring any reputed/stated bias, then you will not be disappointed. One has to remember, this book is titled, "From Grand Funk to Grace : The Authorized Biography of Mark Farner" not "From Grand Funk to Grace : The Authorized Biography of Grand Funk" as some have so painfully and unfairly judged it. If you are yet to read this book, buy it, and do so with an open objective view - you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Just read From Grand Funk to Grace
Review: i could not put this book down, i'm a hard core gramd funk fan and mark farner fan. i bought this book and must say i am glad that i did. i liked it very much, it reads into the life of mark farner tells stories you never knew about him and his life with grand funk and family. from a scale of 1 to 10 a rate this book a 12. i highly recommend this book to all. thank you, rick powell, casper wy.
Rating: 
Summary: Next time get a professional writer.....
Review: I found the book to be hard to follow, tedious and bogged down with too many details. Although the information was enlightening, it seemed to struggle for clarity. It seemed that even the quotations from others were highly edited to the point that it contained a bias toward Marks interpretations of events. I would have liked to have seen more objectivity used in the writing of the book. The writer did not write from an unbiased view, but from more of a 'cheerleader' quality. The book seemed to lack and ignore Mark's personal responsibility in the dilemmas that occurred such as the business dealings with Terry Knight. I didn't feel Terry Knight did anything wrong,it was just business, and Terry Knight was not a type of 'money vampire' as the book suggests. After all, Mark signed the contract. Would the band have been as successful without his expertise? The book addresses that question in a very ambiguous manner. The band's and it's member's subsequent successes have been marginal since the firing of Terry Knight. The success the band achieved prior to his dismissal has never been matched since. I am not saying Terry Knight was faultless, but it's doubtful the band could have been successful without the benefit of his business guidance and connections. I DO have Grand Funk's boxed set, and enjoy many of the selections on it. The sample record that came with the book could have used a more professional touch in the recording quality.
Rating: 
Summary: An egomaniac tells half truths
Review: I found the book to be poorly written, very hard to read and focus on. It tells how much of an an egomaniac Mark Farner truly is. He believes he is Grand Funk Railroad all by himself. He is also a draft dodger and a so called patriot, when in fact he appears to be person who wants to overthrow our system of government via an armed revolution. He claims to be a Christian, yet his brand of Chrstianity is not the norm.
Rating: 
Summary: From Grand Funk to Grace
Review: I grew up in Bay City, North of Flint, where Grand Funk is from.
I saw them perform many times as the Fabulous Pack and Grand Funk Railroad. I tought the book was great. It discusses a working class success story from the struggle of a poor artist to world wide fame. It is too bad about the differences that came between the members but the theme is common to many great bands, not just Grand Funk Railroad. Mark has found salvation after personal struggle and I feel that is protrayed very well. Mark is very opinionated and these opinions are discussed as is by the author. As a musiciaon I would have like to hear a bit more on equipment, especially the WEST sytems the band used that were unique to Michigan. The difficulty with Terry Knight is another unfortuante event yet Knight was well within all his legal rights. The discussions of poor contracts and relationsips of artists that sour is common to many talented groups. I don't view it as a personal assult on Don Brewer as discussed in some of the books reviews.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL BOOK
Review: I have just read the book "grand funk to grace" i could not put it down, it was filled with much information and well worthh the cost. i bought 2 books, one for a friend and said it was better than she expected. Mark Farner from Grand Funk TO GRACE, is a wonderful book for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A good History of Mark Farner but somewhat Biased.
Review: I just finished From Grace To Grand Funk and I have a few thoughts. One is that on the plus side the book is filled with info about Mark Farner's life, Mark's opinions, Mark's friend's glowing admiration for him, Mark's family life, and hey some good history and antidotes included of the Grand Funk Railroad. Another plus is it also has some good info in the back of the book about concert dates and recordings. On the negative side book is not well written in places; especially the first 1/3 of the book (the pre GFR days) which is very choppy. The rest of the book is better, the flow is way better and even very good at times. The GFR days from 69-76 for instance are written very well and flow very well and there are some funny little stories about life on the road (lot's of amusing anecdotes). But then it turns to 77 to the present and the book takes on a bit of a negative tone. Also I found reading about Mark's courtship and marriage to a teenager very uncomfortable. But, history is history. The Book talks about Mark's involvement in "Holiness Christianity" and how Mark has swung to a position of "Christian" universal salvation. He sates that all devout believers are saved by Christ weather there Muslim, Jewish, Buddhists, etc., On another negative note The book basically ends with an attack on Don Brewer (After Mark talks about Grace and Forgiveness), in fact the book has a somewhat consistent attack on don interspersed though its pages from beginning to end. the paradox is Mark talks about Love, Forgiveness, Universal Salvation, grace but seems to have none of those things as for as Don Brewer is concerned and Mark comes off looking a bit hypercritical because of this. Another negative thing is the very biased toward Mark, it makes it unprofessional and a fluff piece basically; praising Mark from cover to cover, that's cool if that's what some people want, but anyone looking for total truth or balance will not find it hear, its a shame, there is a lot of good research and info in the book but the Bias and the Writing style leave me wanting a rewrite. But having said that I still think its a must have for GFR fans. At least it will give you Mark's thinking about issues. And it is a very good history of Mark's life.
Rating:
Summary: Cant get enough of this book
Review: I just got the book, Grand Funk to Grace, the authorized bio of Mark Farner....for those young folks who may not realize, this man was the voice, songwriter, guitar player for Grand Funk Railroad. The front man that powered Grand Funk during the 70's. I cannot place into words the effect this book had on me. I read it from cover to cover TWICE! I have been a Grand Funk RR fan for as long as I can remember and the book made me feel like I really knew Mr. Farner and got up close and personal with this famous rock star. Thanks to Randall for buying me this book! It is very well written and a joy to read with alots of fascinating stories about Mr. Farner's life. if you dont have it, buy it, you will not be at all disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: One degree of seperation
Review: I know Mark Farner and Kris Englehard personally, so I was very happy to hear of this book in its early stages. After reading it, I was even more pleased that Kris and Mark managed to get so many interesting pieces of Mark's life out there for us all to digest. An appetizing meal of rock bravado, foolishness and intrigue and an interesting look at a Rock Star with talent and values. Form Grand Funk to Grace is a cool book and I even get a mention in it. Congratulations guys..
Rating:
Summary: A must for any Farner/Grand Funk Fan
Review: I loved this book! I thought it was very well written and told Mark's life story perfectly. I was fascinated to read stories about his family life and past history (very interesting!) When I heard that a 'biography' was being written about Mark, I thought....excellent! I want to know about his childhood, likes and dislikes, etc. and this book covers every aspect of his life. A page turner, with each paged filled with funny facts and breath taking details based on Mark Farner's life. Now and then! It was all that I had hoped it would be. Very insightful, lots of great information for Farner Fan's! Things are written in the book, that fans would never know.... like Mark's love of aviation and he gets up each morning at 3:AM! Great old photos, rare and many never seen before. Very Entertaining reading.....
and the CD is just wonderful! I love the song 'Glory Bound' an EXCELLENT bonus with the book. I highly recommend this book and CD. A must for any Mark Farner fan!
| 
