What do you think?
Rate this book
Rush: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Excellence
178 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2014
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 13, 2020
This volume presents a textual analysis of Rush lyrics as viewed through the lens of individualism. Attempting to translate one person's words into greater meaning is a tricky business, and so not surprisingly, although some interpretations offer useful insights, others seem forced to the point of straining credibility. Distinctions between author and speaker are blurred, and guesses at intent identified as immutable truth.
That being said, the book contains some interesting ideas. For example, I very much enjoyed learning about the relationship between "The Fountain of Lamneth" and Clockwork Angels. It seems obvious after reading, but I never would have made that connection.
Unfortunately, production flaws ranging from minor annoyances to factual errors weaken the work's integrity. The former include headings that don't stand out from text, lack of an index, and two appendices that feel tacked on and unrelated to what precedes them.
As for the latter, without seriously searching, here are a few that jumped out at me:
Pages 9 and 13: Roadshow was published in 2006, not 2007.
Page 14: Peter Ochs should be Phil Ochs.
Page 32: "The Trees" was released in 1978, not 1977.
Pages 93 and 95: Vapor Trails was released in 2002, not 2007.
Page 95: Neil Peart lost his daughter and wife in 1997 and 1998, not 2008 and 2009.
Page 96: Ghost Rider was published in 2002, not 2009.
Page 108: Rush's 30th anniversary tour was in 2004, not 2007.
Page 119: Eddie Gruber should be Freddie Gruber.
I mention these not to nitpick but because the author is attempting to prove a thesis by presenting a number of facts and interpretations of those facts. When some of the facts are wrong, it casts doubt on the other facts, thus undermining the thesis and its proof. If these are corrected, the argument will be stronger and readers will be more compelled to accept the findings presented.
That being said, the book contains some interesting ideas. For example, I very much enjoyed learning about the relationship between "The Fountain of Lamneth" and Clockwork Angels. It seems obvious after reading, but I never would have made that connection.
Unfortunately, production flaws ranging from minor annoyances to factual errors weaken the work's integrity. The former include headings that don't stand out from text, lack of an index, and two appendices that feel tacked on and unrelated to what precedes them.
As for the latter, without seriously searching, here are a few that jumped out at me:
Pages 9 and 13: Roadshow was published in 2006, not 2007.
Page 14: Peter Ochs should be Phil Ochs.
Page 32: "The Trees" was released in 1978, not 1977.
Pages 93 and 95: Vapor Trails was released in 2002, not 2007.
Page 95: Neil Peart lost his daughter and wife in 1997 and 1998, not 2008 and 2009.
Page 96: Ghost Rider was published in 2002, not 2009.
Page 108: Rush's 30th anniversary tour was in 2004, not 2007.
Page 119: Eddie Gruber should be Freddie Gruber.
I mention these not to nitpick but because the author is attempting to prove a thesis by presenting a number of facts and interpretations of those facts. When some of the facts are wrong, it casts doubt on the other facts, thus undermining the thesis and its proof. If these are corrected, the argument will be stronger and readers will be more compelled to accept the findings presented.
January 7, 2023
I thought the book was interesting and appreciated Mr. Freedman's effort. Although I didn't really connect with the book, I respect his efforts and ideas.
V
V
July 12, 2023
Great commentary on how Rush's lyrical themes and music have changed as they developed as artists and men. Robert Freedman does a great job and I would consider this a must-read for Rush nerds.
April 2, 2017
Wow I am the first reviewer of this book.
I was given this book by a good friend and fellow Rush fan and poured through it this weekend. Yep, I am a big Rush fan; big Neil Peart fas as well. I have read four of Peart's books and this will be the fourth book on Peart-Rush philosophies as well. So one can see a pattern a) Rush fans are fanatics and very loyal (well-known fact) b) Peart's writings, both as the lyricist and writer actually cause a side industry of other writers writing about Rush c) Rush's longevity and recent popularity are entrenched in people moving into wider circles such as politics and running corporations and leads to d) Rush is big business.
Cut to the Chase. Robert Freedman points out the socially progressive "libertarian" side of Peart-Rush throughout this book. They are entrenched in humanism and individualism. They believe in free will and the pursuit of happiness. Quoting Earleywine, who compared Rush to acting like "cognitive behavioral therapists" to achieve a feeling of "eudaimonia" (I get this way after pulling off playing a Rush song on guitar). Deep philosophical material wrapped up with many references to Rush songs makes his point.
Rush has been maligned by Peart's early romance with Ayn Rand and her Objectivism philosophy. Yet Freedman points out the Republicans like Rush Limbaugh and Rand Paul tried to use "Tom Saywer" for their political rallies some thirty years later after Peart himself pointed out he was young and Anthem Records' lawyers sent out cease and desist orders. Peart has introduced us from Aristotle to Voltaire ("Clockwork Angels" was based on "Candide") to the Homer's "Odyssey" in "The Fountain of Lamneth". You name It, Peart seems to pull from so many sources. I enjoyed Freedman's thoroughness even when he sourced several other authors (which I also have read).
Chapters like "The Voice of Gawd" and "Individualism: Some Geddit, Some don't" were highly informative and yet others parts that harped back to their early criticisms needed to be edited (we all know that Rush was well hated back in the 1970's).
So who is the audience? Obviously a Rush fan will look at this. Knowing more about what makes Peart tick intrigues us. What I pull from this book is Peart is a brilliant man. I don't believe that he preaches any philosophy other than his down home view of the world. Be an individual, try to do good, help your fellow human and try to be the best that life gives you. How hard can that be? If you are curious about Peart's philosophies, this may do the trick. Cognitive behavioral therapy? That is pushing it.
I was given this book by a good friend and fellow Rush fan and poured through it this weekend. Yep, I am a big Rush fan; big Neil Peart fas as well. I have read four of Peart's books and this will be the fourth book on Peart-Rush philosophies as well. So one can see a pattern a) Rush fans are fanatics and very loyal (well-known fact) b) Peart's writings, both as the lyricist and writer actually cause a side industry of other writers writing about Rush c) Rush's longevity and recent popularity are entrenched in people moving into wider circles such as politics and running corporations and leads to d) Rush is big business.
Cut to the Chase. Robert Freedman points out the socially progressive "libertarian" side of Peart-Rush throughout this book. They are entrenched in humanism and individualism. They believe in free will and the pursuit of happiness. Quoting Earleywine, who compared Rush to acting like "cognitive behavioral therapists" to achieve a feeling of "eudaimonia" (I get this way after pulling off playing a Rush song on guitar). Deep philosophical material wrapped up with many references to Rush songs makes his point.
Rush has been maligned by Peart's early romance with Ayn Rand and her Objectivism philosophy. Yet Freedman points out the Republicans like Rush Limbaugh and Rand Paul tried to use "Tom Saywer" for their political rallies some thirty years later after Peart himself pointed out he was young and Anthem Records' lawyers sent out cease and desist orders. Peart has introduced us from Aristotle to Voltaire ("Clockwork Angels" was based on "Candide") to the Homer's "Odyssey" in "The Fountain of Lamneth". You name It, Peart seems to pull from so many sources. I enjoyed Freedman's thoroughness even when he sourced several other authors (which I also have read).
Chapters like "The Voice of Gawd" and "Individualism: Some Geddit, Some don't" were highly informative and yet others parts that harped back to their early criticisms needed to be edited (we all know that Rush was well hated back in the 1970's).
So who is the audience? Obviously a Rush fan will look at this. Knowing more about what makes Peart tick intrigues us. What I pull from this book is Peart is a brilliant man. I don't believe that he preaches any philosophy other than his down home view of the world. Be an individual, try to do good, help your fellow human and try to be the best that life gives you. How hard can that be? If you are curious about Peart's philosophies, this may do the trick. Cognitive behavioral therapy? That is pushing it.
April 10, 2015
Excellent read for all RUSH fans brings new depth and meaning to a lot of RUSH lyrics. makes me really see this band in an even brighter light than I all ready had
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews