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Madonna: Blond Ambition
In a career spanning three decades, Madonna has produced a record-breaking run of hit singles and albums, starred in films, and staged some of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time. But she is more than just a pop singer and actress. She is an icon of our times, and one who has continued to reinvent both herself and the very nature of celebrity ever since she first appeared with the song "Holiday" in 1983. Madonna: Blond Ambition is an authoritative chronicle of one of popular music's greatest stars, including detailed commentary on every album, tour, movie, music video, and more. It profiles key collaborators and investigates the many controversies Madonna has been embroiled in over the years, from her frequent run-ins with the Catholic Church to the taboo-busting sexualization of her music and image in the '90s. The book also includes a timeline of the key events of her career and a selection of photographs. From "Vogue" to Ray of Light, the Blonde Ambition tour to 2008's Sticky & Sweet shows, the Sex book to The English Roses...it's all here.
- GenresMusicAutobiography
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 16, 2022
This book is HUGE. The pictures are gorgeous and it really does go into detail on each and every album/era/tour up until the Sticky & Sweet venture when the book was published. I particularly liked the album breakdowns as they paid attention to each individual track, especially interesting to hear about the songs that maybe don't get as much attention as the 'Vogue's and 'Holiday's of her career.
I will admit that the tone often seemed to confusingly flit between objective views and personal opinions, an easy trap to fall into when documenting someone you admire, I imagine. The extensive timelines (documenting every single release, magazine cover, notable promo event by date) were also a little out of place as they were often 3 or 4 page chunks placed right in the middle of a chapter. All things considered though, even if you just buy it to flick through the pictures, this is a lovely book for Madonna fans to treasure.
I will admit that the tone often seemed to confusingly flit between objective views and personal opinions, an easy trap to fall into when documenting someone you admire, I imagine. The extensive timelines (documenting every single release, magazine cover, notable promo event by date) were also a little out of place as they were often 3 or 4 page chunks placed right in the middle of a chapter. All things considered though, even if you just buy it to flick through the pictures, this is a lovely book for Madonna fans to treasure.
December 29, 2025
There will never be anyone like her ever again she is so fucking talented and beautiful and creative and she did so much good in this world
March 6, 2016
I've been such a huge Madonna fan ever since her first song hit the radio air waves way back in the early 80s. I was 10 or 11 when I first heard her songs, and I somehow knew that I was going to be a fan of hers for life. Even when others dismissed her or put her down for everything from her singing to her provocative clothing, she just resonated with me. It's hard to explain, but I loved her from the start.
Decades later, I'm still listening to her music and following her every career move. Sometimes my ardor wanes a bit, but, I never stay away for long. I'm always drawn back to her and whatever she is doing which generally causes quite the stir. This large coffee table tome from two American and British authors covers every facet of her life and career, starting with her birth all the way through 2010. Every album is dissected right down to the creation of each of the songs, explaining how they were written, the inspirations behind them, and where they charted in both the UK and USA once they were released into the world. Her music videos, movies, and concert tours are also described in great detail. Accompanying page after page of written material are fantastic photos ranging from her very first days on MTV to her most recent incarnation. Nothing is sugarcoated as the reader gets the nitty gritty of the good and bad in Madonna's 30+ year career.
The only reason I am giving this book 4 stars is because the book is culled from hundreds of previous interviews and books written about Madonna. No new interviews were conducted for this book. We get a lot of insight and information, but some new information and thoughts from Madge herself would have been nice. There are also about ten typos which can be dismissed, but I noticed them. For a Madonna fanatic such as myself, this book, overall, was fantastic. I probably know more about her now than ever before.
Decades later, I'm still listening to her music and following her every career move. Sometimes my ardor wanes a bit, but, I never stay away for long. I'm always drawn back to her and whatever she is doing which generally causes quite the stir. This large coffee table tome from two American and British authors covers every facet of her life and career, starting with her birth all the way through 2010. Every album is dissected right down to the creation of each of the songs, explaining how they were written, the inspirations behind them, and where they charted in both the UK and USA once they were released into the world. Her music videos, movies, and concert tours are also described in great detail. Accompanying page after page of written material are fantastic photos ranging from her very first days on MTV to her most recent incarnation. Nothing is sugarcoated as the reader gets the nitty gritty of the good and bad in Madonna's 30+ year career.
The only reason I am giving this book 4 stars is because the book is culled from hundreds of previous interviews and books written about Madonna. No new interviews were conducted for this book. We get a lot of insight and information, but some new information and thoughts from Madge herself would have been nice. There are also about ten typos which can be dismissed, but I noticed them. For a Madonna fanatic such as myself, this book, overall, was fantastic. I probably know more about her now than ever before.
December 26, 2010
This unofficial Madonna bio is about as good as it gets - covers all her major projects and most of the minor ones too. Refreshingly free of tabloid hearsay, it is well-researched and written, properly focussed on Madonna's remarkable career and respectful without being fawning. Moreover, it's big and beautiful with great photos, a must for book-loving Madonna fans. Only available through Barnes & Noble and I suspect it will be a limited run, so order online at a discount price.
July 5, 2014
I enjoyed that this was mainly about her career and not her personal life. Although there were at least 15 inaccuracies!
Shanghai Surprise was 1986 not 1968.
She did not perform Holiday on The Confessions Tour. And a few others. Other than that it was a nice read.
Shanghai Surprise was 1986 not 1968.
She did not perform Holiday on The Confessions Tour. And a few others. Other than that it was a nice read.
November 24, 2014
This book was a BRILLIANT depiction of the life of Madonna. It is fully detailed with interesting events and people involved in the creative genuine process of becoming the most ICONIC business/artist professional. HIGHLY RECOMMEND !!! A MUST READ !!!
July 18, 2011
It has everything you need and want to know about her.....and then some!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews