Rake at the Gates of Hell: Shane MacGowan in Context

by Robert Mamrak

Rake at the Gates of Hell: Shane MacGowan in Context is a mix of Irish history and culture, biography, and music criticism. It explores Shane MacGowan’s art by juxtaposing details of his life with those elements of Irish culture and history that inform the themes in his work. The book presents MacGowan’s life chronologically, supplementing information on Irish history and culture at those points where it can best illuminate MacGowan’s story. His career with the Nips, the Pogues, and the Popes is covered extensively. The book includes critical assessments of significant live performances and all studio recordings made with each of these three bands. MacGowan’s life story is told warts and all. His hedonistic lifestyle and history of substance abuse is reported in a way that neither sensationalizes nor minimizes the facts. The text is enlivened by extensive quotations, primarily from MacGowan himself, which were either taken from conversations with the author or culled from published interviews. The book explores several themes prominent in MacGowan’s work. Foremost among these are Irish Republicanism, the Irish Republican Army, Irish emigration, and various factors that contribute to Irish emigration. While the discussion of these topics is not exhaustive, it is detailed enough to enhance appreciation of Shane MacGowan’s art. Moreover, Rake at the Gates of Hell: Shane MacGowan in Context is the only book yet written that chronicles MacGowan’s remarkable comeback with the Pogues, the band that fired him nearly two decades ago.

Genres: Music, Biography

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2011

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of the Pogues since the mid 80's, but I can't say I knew that much about them. Shane MacGowan is a genius with some serious issues. This was a very informative book, and my only criticism is that it was a little jumpy chronologically. It was sometimes hard to know where in time we were. Having said that, it really took you inside, and even though I know Shane is still alive, I kept waiting for the time they found him dead in the hotel. In one respect, it's tempting to say he has wasted so much of his life, but in another respect, what makes him who he is? I wouldn't want to live his life, but I am thankful for his music and I pray he will have a long and productive life and he will live to see his beloved Ireland united.

[Claire Montrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person obsessed with Shane and with Irish music, I loved this book, especially with the interweaving of the information about the troubles of Ireland. I'm amazed by the Pogues, and also obsessed with the Dubliners, just as I was with the Clancy Brothers when I was in college in the 1960's. I never got into the background of the Clancys, that is another great story on its own. Bob Dylan following them around New York City, hero-worshpping them...

[Justin Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane MacGowan certainly deserves a biography for his contributions to Irish music and Robert Mamrak does an admirable job chronicling MacGowan’s life and body of work. The book is quite an achievement really, balancing a trinity of the histories of Ireland, punk music, and Shane MacGowan’s life before, during and after The Pogues into a book just under 200 pages. The only thing holding this book back from being truly exceptional is editing. I think a few more passes would have reduced the sometimes confusing timelines, and wording. The context of MacGowan is most definitely there though and should appeal to anyone interested in The Pogues, Shane MacGown and the Popes, and Irish music.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read overall in regards to its information on Irish and Pogues history, but the proofreading is atrocious, with many misspellings distracting from the text. The discography in the back is superb, and the book itself led me to many excellent bootleg versions of Pogues/MacGowan songs I didn't know existed.

[Zach M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I read. Pretty good, I’d give it 3.5 stars.

[Adam Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Pogues/Shane fan I really liked it.

Im also a bit of a history/lit buff so I really enjoyed learning about "the troubles" and the various authors mentioned in the book.

My only complaint would be, the authors omission of the song "Lorelei". He breaks every album down and goes over each song, with their origin and who wrote it, but he misses this fantastic song.

[Phil Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good read for Americans. We missed a lot of Irish events due to the us press bias towards the UK. Of course the story is not over. So the dark chapters at the end of the book could lighten up.