Taylor Swift: Era by Era: The Unauthorized Biography

by Caroline Sullivan

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

I'm not the Caroline Sullivan who writes poetry - I'm the other one, who's published six books: Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with the Bay City Rollers; Madonna: Ambition. Music. Style.; Ed Sheeran: Writing Out Loud; Adele: The Other Side; Dua Lipa: The Unauthorized Biography (bit of a dull title, apologies) and the Sunday Times bestseller Taylor: Era by Era.

Hmm. Goodreads apparently thinks that I haven't set up an account, and it's commanding me to do so.

I've been trying to write a little plug recommending the book I'm currently reading, Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, but it keeps saying that I haven't got an account. Sigh.

Reviews

[Alwynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A carefully-researched overview of Taylor Swift’s life and career trajectory from her earliest attempts at songwriting through the Nashville years up to the release of The Tortured Poets Department. It’s fairly convincing as a primer for newbie Swifties and a reasonable reminder of career highs and lows for veteran fans - although now and then I found Sullivan’s timeline a bit bewildering. Sullivan’s survey’s lucid and she’s particularly adept at charting many of Swift’s savvy business decisions – the rerecording of her first albums in order to reclaim rights to her work.

However, not uncommon with this kind of commercial biography, Sullivan’s focus is more on facts than analysis which renders this a little dense and breathless at times. It really just scratches the surface when it comes to broader socio-cultural issues: how Swift’s wider relationship with her fans operates; the role of gender both in her music and its reception; the perils and pitfalls of fame – Swift’s New York apartment boasts an entire wing to house her security team; her travel essentials include army grade wound dressings. Developments undoubtedly linked to Swift’s phenomenal success and the visibility that’s accompanied that, but equally suggestive of the fallout from Swift’s decision to openly distance herself from large swathes of her original fan base.

It’s this aspect of Swift’s experiences that could stand further attention here, particularly the array of false/competing narratives she’s been subjected to. Narratives that are very telling when it comes to the deep, near-surreal, rifts within contemporary American society. Swift was once the darling of the alt-right who labelled her the quintessential ‘white’ American sweetheart, a stereotypically demure, clean-cut blonde. In recent years Swift’s made it clear it’s a title she has no wish to claim. Instead, she’s been increasingly vocal about her actual politics: coming out against racism in all its forms; decrying the erosion of women’s rights; and openly supportive of queer communities via tracks like “You Need to Calm Down.” A move that’s been so effective, Swift’s now a prime target for right-wing conspiracy theorists – QAnon’s followers genuinely seem to believe she’s a weapon devised by a clandestine government psyops project. But although this isn’t the Swift biography I’m craving, I still found it worthwhile, especially the details of her musical collaborations, and interactions with the wider music industry – it also features a decent selection of illustrations which add to its likely appeal as a gift for many Swift fans.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Michael O’Mara Books Limited

[Laura]

Must read voor alle Swifties of voor iedereen die Taylor haar marketing brein kan respecteren en waarderen!

[Kali Dempsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐ 4 🎧

DNF @ 22%

An okay look at Taylor's life, but not quite what I was looking forward to. Likely because this is "unauthorized" but it's very factual and feels like it was simply compiled magazine articles by a mega fan...

My other complaint is that it's titled Era by Era, but it felt so back and forth. Travis is mentioned in the very beginning for instance. I love Taylor, but I'm not a super fan, so the constant time jumping was very hard to keep track of...

Narrator did a great job and was easy to listen to.

[AmyReadsLit · Rating 4 out of 5]

AD | PR - Thank you @netgalley

I would definitely recommend this book to ANY TS fan! Though it might contain facts you already don't know, some parts may surprise you. Sullivan narrated Swifts career through the eras, a very detailed + well planned plot. It walked through the start of her career right through to the present. Many references were actually recent; much to my surprise. Speaking like a true Swiftologist, she discussed the Swiftonomics surrounding her tours: how it has been credited to have boosted the economy in the hospitality sector. We're talking, Billions. In a sociology POV, it's generated courses like at @officialqmul + Harvard referencing her lyrics to literature ("Love Story") and how her songs are accepted within popular-culture. Extra reading explores Zadie Smith's essay "Meet Justin Bieber!". In addition, Sullivan explores the connections created between TS, the crew + fans through appearances, support of her crew and the fans love towards her as an artist. Fans make memorabilia, bracelets to exchange + their own outfits for the tour. Era by Era was actually a celebration behind TS success with a well researched + uplifting account.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t typically read biographies. I am more into a memoir since I love hearing straight from the person themselves. However, when I saw that there was a new biography on Taylor Swift, I had to read it to see if there was anything included that I didn’t already know. This book definitely included some information that I wasn’t previously familiar with, which is great, considering it’s an unauthorized biography. But overall, I felt like the book wasn’t told in a way that made a lot of sense. It constantly went back and forth throughout her life, which really made it difficult to follow. If you didn’t know a lot about Taylor going into this book, I’m not sure you’d have a clear picture of her by the end. It wasn’t a bad read and definitely was a quick listen, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it to anyone. The narrator was enjoyable to listen to.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Dreamscape Media for the gifted audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed getting to dive into this audiobook. I thought the narrator did a wonderful job. The information was great but there wasn’t anything in it that hasn’t been seen before.

I really did love learning that her parents considered naming her Shelby and that’s my name. My parents considered naming me Taylor. I also learned she had Doberman’s growing up and so didn’t know that. I also have Dobermans. It was fun to find similarities with Taylor 🥹 but I enjoyed seeing her early career and where it is now.

The title does state that it is Era by Era but it felt like it jumped around quite a bit.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up

This was an interesting audiobook. I really liked the narrator and thought she did a great job.

I enjoy Taylor Swift’s music, but I don’t know that much about her early career. This book was a fun way to get to know her better. The book goes through the different “eras” of her life. The book jumped around a lot in the timeline, but it was still easy to follow.

I recommend this audiobook to anyone who wants to get to know Taylor Swift better. If you are already a big fan, you probably won’t learn anything you don’t already know.

[Brandon Watabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Taylor for many years, the seed was planted early on when this little redhead sung ‘Our Song’ at our middle school talent show and then was really solidified in college with the release of ‘Lover’ then ‘Folklore’ so this general biography of a lot of career focused achievements and moments has filled in the gap of essentially everything I missed out on early on. The book feels like an aggregate of every magazine article that Swift has been in since 2006 and on. Easy read for the Swifties, but I really want to read something written by her.

[Adrianna Lamm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a die-hard fan of Taylor Swift. It was a for sure have to read when I saw this book. I really enjoyed this book and learned lots of new and interesting facts about Taylor. This is not the type of book that I normally read but I really liked it.

[Catarina Peres · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Taylor Swift, and her work but this book feels like reading a 247 page tweet.

Plus I felt like the end was rushed, she explains the TTPD on the same chapter of the eras tour which in my view, doesn’t do justice to the work that was put into both projects.

[Robyn Worrall · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5⭐️ needs a good editor as i noticed a few mistakes here and there! however, the content was okay just quite repetitive in places.. was nice to learn more about how Taylor started up pre-debut album!!

[Amy aka Books, Bakes and Belle]

Enjoyed the story as a massive Swiftie but not a big fan of the writing style. Felt like it sometimes jumped around a bit with the timeline or I had to reread things a few times to understand what was meant.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a mess.
I found it unreadable, clunky and all over the place.
The cover is stunning though 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book.

[Maddie Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this bio book was great to read she is a very clever lady and got a good head on her shoulders.

[Georgie | g_loves_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was good overview of Taylors career and very fact driven, However, it lacked a little bit of life to me. There was lots of Taylor lore sprinkled in and a great timeline.
If you aren’t a crazy swiftie you will definitely learn a lot but if you do know Taylor, this wont be new for you.
The title is Era by Era and I’m not sure if that 100% correct as it did jump around a bit and wasn’t definitively divided into the “eras” as they are known (like the different albums) and more the literal eras of her life. Just a thought but could be misleading?
I think the narrator did a great job and kept me interested throughout.

Thanks to Netgally and dreamscape media for providing me with an ALC for this book. All opinions stated are my own.