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Summary: Treasure of the Broken Land
Review: Even if you don't have the foggiest idea who Mark Heard was, you should read this book if you are haunted by beauty or if you struggle with the holy terror of trying to figure out how to live out your vocation in a world that has "packaged our virtues in cellulose dreams/ and sold us the remnants 'till our pockets are clean." "Hammers and Nails", like Heard's music that inspired it, is by turns deeply probing, morally profound, gravely sad, and indefatigably and tenaciously joyful. Heard wrestled with a gift that was both a vocation to art and a cross to bear. Dickerson's book follows the "tricks of the tracks" as Heard "sails down the rails" of his life, and the ride is a good one, if tragically brief. Even if it only included Heard's article on making music (written for Image, a journal of the arts and religion); or even if it only contained the numerous poems and song lyrics by Heard that are scattered throughout; or again, even if it only contained Dickerson's reminiscences and meditations on the meaning of music, art, vocation, and life, it would be worth the price. The fact that it has all these woven into the tapestry that was Heard's too-brief life makes it a book worth owning. My fear is that this book, like Heard's my-God-why-did-he-have-to-die-so-young music, will be neglected by an age that cares not to be disturbed by beauty, preferring trifles and slapdash cosmetics to a profound engagement with the severe beauty of life. Heard's life and music will comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, and Dickerson's book is an introduction to that music that I hope will ensure that Heard does not go unheard. (I should add that Dickerson's other recent book, "Following Gandalf", is similarly profound, readable, and delightful.)
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Summary: Mark Heard a good biography for a great artist!
Review: I have been an admirer of Mark Heard's music for several years now and was pleased to read about this book's release. It is much less a straightforward biography and much more a book of reflections from a long and distinguished group of friends (Pierce Pettis, Buddy and Julie Miller, Tonio K and T-Bone Burnette). I was very interested in the chapters dealing with Mark's opinions on popular culture, his dealings with the church, and "CCM" music industry. The only drawback to the book was the large amount of song lyrics presented, which after awhile seemed more and more like filler. I thought the book would have been more interesting if the author would have presented Mark's journal writings instead, but beyond that the book was a fascinating read.As an added bonus Hammers & Nails features some of Mark's photography.
Rating:
Summary: Mark Heard a good biography for a great artist!
Review: I have been an admirer of Mark Heard's music for several years now and was pleased to read about this book's release. It is much less a straightforward biography and much more a book of reflections from a long and distinguished group of friends (Pierce Pettis, Buddy and Julie Miller, Tonio K and T-Bone Burnette). I was very interested in the chapters dealing with Mark's opinions on popular culture, his dealings with the church, and "CCM" music industry. The only drawback to the book was the large amount of song lyrics presented, which after awhile seemed more and more like filler. I thought the book would have been more interesting if the author would have presented Mark's journal writings instead, but beyond that the book was a fascinating read. As an added bonus Hammers & Nails features some of Mark's photography.
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