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Rating: 
Summary: Must read for any Phil Ochs fan. No sugar-coating.
Review: A well-documented biography of one of the greatest topical song writers and singers ever. Easy-to-read account of Phil Ochs life. Includes background information on the circle of people that lived, travelled and performed with Phil Ochs. Also provides a look at the troubled era when Phil was at his peak. Chronicles the hipocrasy and ineptness with which certain parts of our own government tracked and harrassed people with contrary views.
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Summary: Schumacher's bio. of Ochs is as powerful as the man.
Review: I have been a devoted fan of Phil Ochs since the mid-1960's. I never knew or totally understood the depth of his committment to the forces of life or how this committment drove him into the depths of mental illness. Mr. Schumacher filled in the missing data about Phil that made him much more real to me. After finishing the book, I wept as I listened to his music and mourned for the loss of his courage and vision. Phil's music taught me to be a more sensitive human being, helping shape my political consciousness even to this day. I thank Mr. Schumacher for the effort he made to make Phil more real. My only criticism of the book lies in my disagreement with him as to the quality of some of Phil's more risky efforts at his art, i.e. productions of songs like "Crucifixion". Otherwise, this book is definitely a must read for anyone who wants to learn about the heart and mind of a social movement.
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Summary: Phil-Phil Come Back and Teach Us
Review: Imagine Phil Ochs in 1997 singing for the pope. It could never happen. He was the real thing. This book reads like a novel -- but it is as wonderful as DEATH OF A REBEL if not superior. If you love Phil's music, you must read this. If you don't know who Phil Ochs is -- you must read this -- Phil was the real thing. Bob Dylan is a total fraud.
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Summary: There But For Fortune
Review: Sadly, this excellent biography of one of the sixties generation's great topical songwriters is out of print. Michael Schumacher writes a moving account of Ochs, who was haunted by his own personal demons and political enemies, such as the FBI, a federal agency sworn to protect us. Ochs' songs, including "Crucifixtion" - among the greatest songs of the Vietnam War era - are the heart and soul of a tremendous creative talent. Ochs' descent into mental illness is sad, yet Schumacher's account of it leaves us with meaning and encouragement to follow Ochs' social and political conscience.
Rating: 
Summary: An adequate biography, but no great insights
Review: When I heard that this book was released, I was eager to read it as a long time Phil Ochs fan. I was disappointed to discover that Schumacher's book provides little new information or insight beyond Marc Eliot's Death of a Rebel.Too often, Schumacher skims over important periods in Ochs' life, with people and events popping up without adequate explanation. For example, while Schumacher talks about Ochs' travels with Victor Jara and the effect Jara had on him, later in the book Schumacher mentions Jara's death only in passing, with no effort to explain its effect on Ochs. Schumacher also makes a few factual errors, including a claim that Gunfight at Carnegie Hall was never released in the United States. I purchased it on CD nearly 10 years ago.
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