Rating: 
Summary: A difinitive look at The Prince of Soul
Review: As a fellow author on soul music and as something of a historian on Motown and its artists, I thought I knew everything there was to know about Marvin Gaye. Mr. Turner's book quickly proved me wrong. Trouble Man turned out to be a difinitive look at one of the most talented, and obviously one of the most troubled artists in the history of modern popular music. Drawing on exhaustive research (particularly about Gaye's father) and utilizing first hand interviews (most notably with Gaye's second wife, Jan), Turner crafts a tome that has you coming away from the book with a clearer understanding of what made Marvin tick. Although not quite as in-depth as Divided Soul, Trouble Man moves quickly, and is entertaining without being scandalous. This is a must-read for all Marvin Gaye fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Trouble Man - a dissenting opinion
Review: Despite the involving history of its freakishly dualistic and tragic subject, author Turner misses the mark here. After catchingx a couple of filmed performances from late in Gaye's career on cable - a thrilling rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at a Lakers Game and an incandescent in-concert performance of "Sexual Healing", I realized how completely the author fails to convey the Gaye's mastery of his art . Both of these performances came after an extended period of slumping sales and inactivity and marked a final, ultimately failed attempt at a rally. Yet these brilliant appearances get scant mention in the book. As does Marvin's breakthrough appearance in the T.A.M.I. Show lineup. Often quotes by family and associates are riddled with Britishisms (the author is English) that are incongruously sprinkled into the speech of these urban African Americans. I believe that when biography writers take broad liberties in paraphrasing the words of those he interviews, it calls into question the overall accuracy of their work. (Couldn't the guy have used a tape recorder?) The book is riddled with minor errors of fact. For example, Turner refers to a town as being in "Upper California" and he often gets the names of venues wrong. I plan to read David Ritz's biography in the hope that he has done a better job in recounting this tragic soul man's life and work.
Rating:
Summary: Trouble Man - a dissenting opinion
Review: Despite the involving history of its freakishly dualistic and tragic subject, author Turner misses the mark here. After catchingx a couple of filmed performances from late in Gaye's career on cable - a thrilling rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at a Lakers Game and an incandescent in-concert performance of "Sexual Healing", I realized how completely the author fails to convey the Gaye's mastery of his art . Both of these performances came after an extended period of slumping sales and inactivity and marked a final, ultimately failed attempt at a rally. Yet these brilliant appearances get scant mention in the book. As does Marvin's breakthrough appearance in the T.A.M.I. Show lineup. Often quotes by family and associates are riddled with Britishisms (the author is English) that are incongruously sprinkled into the speech of these urban African Americans. I believe that when biography writers take broad liberties in paraphrasing the words of those he interviews, it calls into question the overall accuracy of their work. (Couldn't the guy have used a tape recorder?) The book is riddled with minor errors of fact. For example, Turner refers to a town as being in "Upper California" and he often gets the names of venues wrong. I plan to read David Ritz's biography in the hope that he has done a better job in recounting this tragic soul man's life and work.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for ANY Marvin Gaye Fan.
Review: I have studied extensivly the life and music of one of histories most fascinating and interesting artists. I have already read Divided Soul five times over, and Trouble Man uncovers some of the mysteries of Marvin's Life. Trouble Man picks up where Divided Soul leaves off. One of the most interesting facts about Marvin, is that he is the Biological Father of his and Anna Gordy Gaye's adopted son Marvin Jr. Until this book was published, that was a bit of information that few in the musical circles that I run in, knew about. Also the relationships that Marvin kept open with his former wives is informative. In my opinion, the man was a very talented, shy, introverted person, who just happened to also be a star. Women loved him in part because of his sensitivity, and the fact that Marvin acknowledged that he possesed a soft side. Marvin was prophetic, loving, and was years way ahead of his time. It is also reiterated in this book that there was no type of romantic relationship between Marvin, and Tammi Terrell. For anyone who believes that, listen to the end of the song "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" whereby Tammi sings, "Oh Marvin!" If you are a true Marvin fan, you will not be able to put this book down until you are finished reading it!
Rating:
Summary: A must read for ANY Marvin Gaye Fan.
Review: I have studied extensivly the life and music of one of histories most fascinating and interesting artists. I have already read Divided Soul five times over, and Trouble Man uncovers some of the mysteries of Marvin's Life. Trouble Man picks up where Divided Soul leaves off. One of the most interesting facts about Marvin, is that he is the Biological Father of his and Anna Gordy Gaye's adopted son Marvin Jr. Until this book was published, that was a bit of information that few in the musical circles that I run in, knew about. Also the relationships that Marvin kept open with his former wives is informative. In my opinion, the man was a very talented, shy, introverted person, who just happened to also be a star. Women loved him in part because of his sensitivity, and the fact that Marvin acknowledged that he possesed a soft side. Marvin was prophetic, loving, and was years way ahead of his time. It is also reiterated in this book that there was no type of romantic relationship between Marvin, and Tammi Terrell. For anyone who believes that, listen to the end of the song "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" whereby Tammi sings, "Oh Marvin!" If you are a true Marvin fan, you will not be able to put this book down until you are finished reading it!
Rating:
Summary: Success and tragedy always seem to go together...
Review: Lots of books about stars are trashy, tabloid material. Not so with this book. This book has a story to tell and it's filled with real-life members of a dysfunctional family and their joys and tragedies. I personally love Marvin Gaye's music, but if even if you aren't a fan, there's enough history of music, the music business, and African-American life history from that time period to make this a great book. Lots of detail, but not too much. A real focus on the individuals in Marvin's life who ultimately shaped his life and the events in it--Highly recommend this one. Really well done (and the pictures are interesting too!)
Rating:
Summary: very deep&moving
Review: Marvin Gaye is one of my all-time favorite Artists.he was something else.he struck a chord with me early on.the honesty&drive of his voice had so much to say&feel.this book deals with the demons&maddness he faced.Steve Turner does a fantastic job here.very essential book that captures the essence of the Man.there will never be another Marvin Gaye he was truly a one of a kind Genius of Hope,Love&Life.a must read that will keep your full attention.
Rating:
Summary: Hot Book On Hot Act
Review: Most books on musicians consist of a series of songwriting sessions, recordings and tours but Trouble Man really has a story to tell. If you like Marvin Gaye's music it's a treasure rove of new information but even if you've never bought a Marvin gaye record you'll still be entertained by this drama of love, sex, jealousy, drugs, paranoia and revenge. The research is tip-top and the style is easy to read. Great photo section too with previously unseen shots of Marvin's bedroom after the shooting.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad, sad story
Review: The significance of perhaps one phrase of the book sums up Marvin Gaye's inner life - and that was that his father didn't want him. And thank God he went on to try and heal those wounds through his music. He was a such a wonderful musician, with such a troubled soul - which seems to be commonplace for many of our very gifted artists. It sometimes takes the complexities of inner conflict to product an alternative inner universe to escape to; a universe of unconditional love and affection - which is what Marvin sought his entire life. The connnections between Marvin and his father, were unmistakable. From the Hindu point of view, it would have seemed that they were karmically entwined in a life/death struggle for recognition and acceptance, and that only one would win out in the end. Unfortunately, Marvin SR.'s own feelings about himself were projected onto his son, and given Marvin was so empathic, he accepted the load. My feelings about the end of his life were more than perhaps Marvin, Jr. wanting to egg on his dad to kill him. He was also releasing a lifetime of rage and frustration at his father; eventually that kind of toxic emotional backup will surface. I'm surprised it didn't surface years before. His own demons were engrained from birth; in spite of them, he went on to make a solid contribution to the world of music. This book is extremely well researched; I would have liked to have had more information on Marvin himself; the book focused a lot on the musical connections he had. At any rate, its a book worth reading; and is a testimonial to the benefits, perhaps, good therapy might have had for Marvin, had he chosen that route. Marvin might have conquered his demons if he realized that his father's opinion really didn't make one difference to his creative soul's expression.
Rating:
Summary: I luv this book 2 death!
Review: This is a MUST read for any Marvin Gaye fan who wants to figure out this man's legacy. I'd admire him for how well he acheived. Even tho he's gone now he still lives on. There's nobody like him but just 1 Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye is such a Genius I inspired growing. 2 me I'm learning what he had left off from his career. To me if u love the sound of him or never even heard of him, u must pick this up. 'Cuz it'll take u on 4 journies.
This is incl. along w/ Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye, Miles: An Autobiography, and Revelations: There's a Light After the Lime.
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