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The Last Temptation of Beck: The Untold Story of a Pop Messiah
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26From the author of the New York Times bestseller Ringmaster and the Hugo finalist True Believer, a propulsive and stylish account of Beck, who was received as a pop messiah in the 1990s, but whose closest friends and most devoted fans never knew his buried secrets.
Once upon a time, there was a man who made himself into a myth.
He went by a single Beck. He sang songs that didn’t make easy sense in plain English, but which were somehow urgent and undeniable to those who heard them. He mined a dizzying array of musical styles from the past to construct albums that were eminently of the zeitgeist. Before and after the smash success of his 1993 single “Loser,” he was the hardest-working slacker in America. He went platinum multiple times over. And for a time, he was regarded by journalists and devoted fans alike as the “pop messiah”—a title that referred not just to the new energy he brought to the radio and MTV, but to the devotion he inspired.
But something happened to Beck Hansen, right at the turn of the millennium. His music, once defiant and bombastic, turned morose and inward-facing. It was more than just a musical shift. Beck destroyed the online forum where his devoted fans had gathered. He cut ties with the small collective of LA-based bohemians he’d come up alongside, surrounding himself instead with sycophants and celebrities. Beck had been born and raised in the Church of Scientology; many in his orbit feared he’d been pulled back to the faith.
In the years since, Beck’s music has continued to win accolades, including multiple Grammys. But the true story of Beck in the nineties and beyond has never been told.
With sensitivity and an arrestingly original style, New York Times bestselling author Josephine Riesman offers a vivid and multifaceted look at a singular artist and the Generation Xers for whom he became a reluctant spokesman. Drawing from interviews with those who’ve been closest to Beck, as well as troves of never-before-published documents, Riesman offers a story about authenticity and irony, paranoia and belief. Situated at the last gasp of the millennium, it’s more than a simple biography—it’s a riveting drama about the blurry lines between fandom and worship; between myth and lies; and between the old world that is dying and the new one that still struggles to be born.
Once upon a time, there was a man who made himself into a myth.
He went by a single Beck. He sang songs that didn’t make easy sense in plain English, but which were somehow urgent and undeniable to those who heard them. He mined a dizzying array of musical styles from the past to construct albums that were eminently of the zeitgeist. Before and after the smash success of his 1993 single “Loser,” he was the hardest-working slacker in America. He went platinum multiple times over. And for a time, he was regarded by journalists and devoted fans alike as the “pop messiah”—a title that referred not just to the new energy he brought to the radio and MTV, but to the devotion he inspired.
But something happened to Beck Hansen, right at the turn of the millennium. His music, once defiant and bombastic, turned morose and inward-facing. It was more than just a musical shift. Beck destroyed the online forum where his devoted fans had gathered. He cut ties with the small collective of LA-based bohemians he’d come up alongside, surrounding himself instead with sycophants and celebrities. Beck had been born and raised in the Church of Scientology; many in his orbit feared he’d been pulled back to the faith.
In the years since, Beck’s music has continued to win accolades, including multiple Grammys. But the true story of Beck in the nineties and beyond has never been told.
With sensitivity and an arrestingly original style, New York Times bestselling author Josephine Riesman offers a vivid and multifaceted look at a singular artist and the Generation Xers for whom he became a reluctant spokesman. Drawing from interviews with those who’ve been closest to Beck, as well as troves of never-before-published documents, Riesman offers a story about authenticity and irony, paranoia and belief. Situated at the last gasp of the millennium, it’s more than a simple biography—it’s a riveting drama about the blurry lines between fandom and worship; between myth and lies; and between the old world that is dying and the new one that still struggles to be born.
- GenresNonfictionMusicHistory
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 31, 2026
Fascinating even if, like me, you’re not a big Beck fan. Riesman dives deep into Beck’s complicated history with Scientology, from his parents’ deep roots to the notorious case of Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake, which frames the narrative. This reads like true crime or horror more than pop biography, a real page turner that only flags at the end. My only quibble is that the final act isn’t dramatically satisfying, but how can there be satisfaction in this tortured tale?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was frustrating because it couldn't decide if it wanted to be 1) a biography of Beck 2) a take-down of Scientology or 3) a recounting of personal fandom & internet music fandom in the 2000s. It ended up not succeeding in any of the aims very well. The author obviously did a ton of research but the writing and source attribution was very hard to follow.
September 15, 2026
I, like the author, was a huge Beck fan as a teenager and attended one of his concerts on the Odelay tour. But then his music sort of faded to the background for me and I've never stopped to consider why. Josephine Riesman's book helps fill in these gaps. This is a fascinating exploration of a Generation X musician whose backstory was even more mysterious than his odd lyrics. I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Incredibly well researched and well written. But, I think to fully enjoy this book, you would need to be a much bigger Beck fan than I realized I was. What a wild and weird life, and what an odd dude. Always seems to be the case, when Scientology is involved though. Also, how he treated his ex Leigh was shameful and awful. Soulless, which again, seems to track for Scientology.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of a book that is a biography of a popular rock star, an examination of fame, religion, belonging and even parenting, along with a view of this modern world we find ourselves in, a time of encroaching darkness, when even the most wonder that is music seems powerless to lift the mood, and restore the light.
I was working in a independent record store when Loser premiered on MTV. At least that is where I think I first head about the one named singer Beck, who wasn't the guitarist par excellence Jeff Beck. My first thoughts were the song was cute, a little bit novelty like something heard on Dr. Demento, though the video was pretty striking. As usually my pulse was not on the zietgeist, and the song blew up. However not with myself. I admired the talent, but never really got behind Beck, as there was a lot of great music coming out. However he was popular, sold well, and meant a lot to a lot of people. My interest was not that strong, so I knew little about what came after with Beck. I knew there were other albums, I knew a Grammy also. So I was surprised to see that Josephine Riesman was writing on Beck, after books about such pop culture troublemakers like Stan Lee, and Vince McMahon. After reading this I can see why. The Last Temptation of Beck: The Untold Story of a Pop Messiah by Josephine Riesman is the story about a man who found fame and belonging after years of having neither, about the world he found himself in, the world he couldn't escape, and rise and fall of much in society, effects of which we are dealing with today.
Bek David Campbell, was born in Los Angles to a father who was a moderately successful musician, and a mother who was Bohemian in thought and in raising a family. The parents separated, but shared one common ideal, belonging to the Church of Scientology. This gave them access that both helped and probably hindered young Bek. Bek, later changed to Beck in school, and even later to Beck Hansen, went to Scientology schools, which taught more about being controlled rather than education. Beck was estranged from his father, and his mother made it quite clear she was not a helicopter parent. More a zeppelin parent, flying above it all. Beck was good at music, and even better at adapting personas. Taking traits, styles and incorporating them into his own music. Soon Beck had a music deal, one a small label, that suddenly blew up in a time when music was changing, as was the music industry. Beck suddenly found himself popular, his music playing everywhere. Fans stealing his garbage to understand his thoughts. This was a little too much for Beck, overwhelming in both fame and expectations. And watching in the background was a group that was always willing to help, and gain more converts.
Reading this was an exploration of fame, of music, and of thinking at the end of the 20th century. Music was changing, the idea of selling out was not being seen as a bad thing. And over it all was the Church of Scientology, a cult so strange only a weird science fiction writer could have invented it. I had wondered why Riesman, such a great chronicler of showmen and self-made hucksters would care about Beck. Riesman looks at everything, the music, the scene, even the art scene, as Beck's grandfather was a well-known artist. The writing is really good, as are many of the subplots, one would not think would appear in a book about Beck. This was a more darker tale than I expected and Odeley-like version of America, with fame, religion, politics, parenting all making an appearance. Riesman is an excellent writer, one able to find connections where one does not expect them. Also a passionate writer, especially on the state of the world, and how certain celebrities are detached from it.
This is the third biography by Riesman I have read, and while I was more familiar with Stan Lee and Vince McMahon, this is one I found myself most effected by. The music, the detached family life, being used for religion, being so detached that adopting personas was easier than taking a stand. A really well-done biography, and one that I know I will think about quite a bit. A eagerly await what Riesman has planned next.
I was working in a independent record store when Loser premiered on MTV. At least that is where I think I first head about the one named singer Beck, who wasn't the guitarist par excellence Jeff Beck. My first thoughts were the song was cute, a little bit novelty like something heard on Dr. Demento, though the video was pretty striking. As usually my pulse was not on the zietgeist, and the song blew up. However not with myself. I admired the talent, but never really got behind Beck, as there was a lot of great music coming out. However he was popular, sold well, and meant a lot to a lot of people. My interest was not that strong, so I knew little about what came after with Beck. I knew there were other albums, I knew a Grammy also. So I was surprised to see that Josephine Riesman was writing on Beck, after books about such pop culture troublemakers like Stan Lee, and Vince McMahon. After reading this I can see why. The Last Temptation of Beck: The Untold Story of a Pop Messiah by Josephine Riesman is the story about a man who found fame and belonging after years of having neither, about the world he found himself in, the world he couldn't escape, and rise and fall of much in society, effects of which we are dealing with today.
Bek David Campbell, was born in Los Angles to a father who was a moderately successful musician, and a mother who was Bohemian in thought and in raising a family. The parents separated, but shared one common ideal, belonging to the Church of Scientology. This gave them access that both helped and probably hindered young Bek. Bek, later changed to Beck in school, and even later to Beck Hansen, went to Scientology schools, which taught more about being controlled rather than education. Beck was estranged from his father, and his mother made it quite clear she was not a helicopter parent. More a zeppelin parent, flying above it all. Beck was good at music, and even better at adapting personas. Taking traits, styles and incorporating them into his own music. Soon Beck had a music deal, one a small label, that suddenly blew up in a time when music was changing, as was the music industry. Beck suddenly found himself popular, his music playing everywhere. Fans stealing his garbage to understand his thoughts. This was a little too much for Beck, overwhelming in both fame and expectations. And watching in the background was a group that was always willing to help, and gain more converts.
Reading this was an exploration of fame, of music, and of thinking at the end of the 20th century. Music was changing, the idea of selling out was not being seen as a bad thing. And over it all was the Church of Scientology, a cult so strange only a weird science fiction writer could have invented it. I had wondered why Riesman, such a great chronicler of showmen and self-made hucksters would care about Beck. Riesman looks at everything, the music, the scene, even the art scene, as Beck's grandfather was a well-known artist. The writing is really good, as are many of the subplots, one would not think would appear in a book about Beck. This was a more darker tale than I expected and Odeley-like version of America, with fame, religion, politics, parenting all making an appearance. Riesman is an excellent writer, one able to find connections where one does not expect them. Also a passionate writer, especially on the state of the world, and how certain celebrities are detached from it.
This is the third biography by Riesman I have read, and while I was more familiar with Stan Lee and Vince McMahon, this is one I found myself most effected by. The music, the detached family life, being used for religion, being so detached that adopting personas was easier than taking a stand. A really well-done biography, and one that I know I will think about quite a bit. A eagerly await what Riesman has planned next.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Great read. A pleasant surprise as I'm not familiar with his music. It's a story of a neglected child and indifferent parents, and a confusing Scientology connection. He made himself what he is today, which can be admired and appreciated. Very interesting and informative book. Thank you to Goodreads and Atria Books for the ARC.
Want to Read
March 12, 2026I don't often read biographies but. . .um, THIS ONE SOUNDS SO GOOD!!!
I remember listening to Beck. Where did he go?
Pub date: 11/2026
I'll be looking for this one!
I remember listening to Beck. Where did he go?
Pub date: 11/2026
I'll be looking for this one!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The book never really reveals much information about the private man Beck. There is some interesting history and background on the Church of Scientology. Overall the books seems to lose its way while never really finding Beck.
October 4, 2026
This is a review of an advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. Having grown up a massive Beck fan, especially of the Midnite Vultures era, I was excited to read about the life of a musician that, really, no one knows much about.
Did I get that? Yes. There was plenty for me to learn about a musician that has such a varied career. I didn’t know much about where Beck came from or the role Scientology played in his life/career. Years and years ago, Beck was the one who get me to learn about Scientology and, for better or for worse, it is something that I have found myself drawn to learning about, especially as more and more gets revealed about the secretive organization.
My issues with the book were threefold:
First, the book became less about Beck and more about Scientology. There were a few places where the author looked thought there was smoke but there was no fire. Sure, it’s an organization that is known to be corrupt and its connections to Beck seem to be well-documented. I loved the album Sea Change and bought into the idea that it was based on a relationship went wrong. Was this all due to interference from the church? Probably…I’m willing to believe it. But more and more, the book focused on the aspects that weren’t related to Beck. And those that were seem somewhat thin such as…a person whose thinking is related to Leigh…um…
This leads to my second issue…Anna. An investigator who becomes obsessed with Beck, is super active on the message boards, and goes as far as digging through his trash. This seems less like a person looking for something and more like a fan who gets in too deep.
Finally, the two artists who had previously worked with Beck. Yes, it seems like some people may have been shitty to them. Maybe Scientology even had something to do with it. But really, it ends up feeling like two paranoid people who weren’t doing as well and they would have liked. The author even points out that they would have been small potatoes, not enough for the church to go after. Tom Cruise and his company was really that concerned about these two?
Ultimately, it wasn’t bad and I really enjoyed reading it. I feel like I learned a lot and Beck remains one my favorite artists. Worth the read but there is a lot worth skipping through.
I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. Having grown up a massive Beck fan, especially of the Midnite Vultures era, I was excited to read about the life of a musician that, really, no one knows much about.
Did I get that? Yes. There was plenty for me to learn about a musician that has such a varied career. I didn’t know much about where Beck came from or the role Scientology played in his life/career. Years and years ago, Beck was the one who get me to learn about Scientology and, for better or for worse, it is something that I have found myself drawn to learning about, especially as more and more gets revealed about the secretive organization.
My issues with the book were threefold:
First, the book became less about Beck and more about Scientology. There were a few places where the author looked thought there was smoke but there was no fire. Sure, it’s an organization that is known to be corrupt and its connections to Beck seem to be well-documented. I loved the album Sea Change and bought into the idea that it was based on a relationship went wrong. Was this all due to interference from the church? Probably…I’m willing to believe it. But more and more, the book focused on the aspects that weren’t related to Beck. And those that were seem somewhat thin such as…a person whose thinking is related to Leigh…um…
This leads to my second issue…Anna. An investigator who becomes obsessed with Beck, is super active on the message boards, and goes as far as digging through his trash. This seems less like a person looking for something and more like a fan who gets in too deep.
Finally, the two artists who had previously worked with Beck. Yes, it seems like some people may have been shitty to them. Maybe Scientology even had something to do with it. But really, it ends up feeling like two paranoid people who weren’t doing as well and they would have liked. The author even points out that they would have been small potatoes, not enough for the church to go after. Tom Cruise and his company was really that concerned about these two?
Ultimately, it wasn’t bad and I really enjoyed reading it. I feel like I learned a lot and Beck remains one my favorite artists. Worth the read but there is a lot worth skipping through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a fantastic celebrity biography that explores the stardom of the musician Beck as well as his and his family's involvement in the Church of Scientology. I was a casual fan when he broke through, but I did not follow his career after his first two albums. But Beck was a notable Gen X mainstay and I knew a few things about him, but not much. I enjoyed learning about Beck's life from a writer who really shows incredible enthusiasm for the subject. I will say, however, that the way he acted when the Church forced him to break up with Leigh was despicable and I lost a lot of respect for him. And his other actions that were controlled by Scientology after that point were also pretty disgusting. I suppose I went into this knowing very little and came out with a strong reminder that celebrities can be very disappointing.
An interesting side story deals with the bizarre tragedy of Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake. I have gone down that particular rabbit hole several times because it fascinates me and I enjoy both of their art. I absolutely believe that their downfall has Scientology written all over it, and I enjoyed its inclusion.
The book is thorough and well written, an entertaining read that I highly recommend to fans of Beck, indie music, true crime-style stories about cults, and celebrity profiles.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
An interesting side story deals with the bizarre tragedy of Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake. I have gone down that particular rabbit hole several times because it fascinates me and I enjoy both of their art. I absolutely believe that their downfall has Scientology written all over it, and I enjoyed its inclusion.
The book is thorough and well written, an entertaining read that I highly recommend to fans of Beck, indie music, true crime-style stories about cults, and celebrity profiles.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I took a shot at this Biography of Beck based on some nostalgia from my 90s youth, as I do remember enjoying some of his songs but I was never especially a fan. There is a wealth of stories here from an array of figures in Beck’s life which paint an interesting and continuously enigmatic picture.
I liked the writing in and of itself and think Riesman has a talent and would seek out more books from the same author but I think the book presents more as a series of essays or vignettes that never fully come together for me. Going into the book based on the description and the title, I thought there would be a very defined culminating event but there isn’t. It’s understandable based on Beck being very private even in his closest relationships, but it changes the overall feel of the book. I also felt like the ending was very passionate but also a bit of a stretch, but perhaps this was because I wasn’t especially impacted by Beck even in his hey day.
I did find a lot of the stories fascinating and there’s a lot of passion and effort put in to finding out information although the way it’s written makes it a little hard to note how much is directly from sources and how much is from the author.
Overall an interesting read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Beck (I don’t think you have to be a fan to enjoy this), Scientology, or culture of the 90’s and early 2000s.
Thank you to Atria Books, Josephine Riesman, and Netgalley
I took a shot at this Biography of Beck based on some nostalgia from my 90s youth, as I do remember enjoying some of his songs but I was never especially a fan. There is a wealth of stories here from an array of figures in Beck’s life which paint an interesting and continuously enigmatic picture.
I liked the writing in and of itself and think Riesman has a talent and would seek out more books from the same author but I think the book presents more as a series of essays or vignettes that never fully come together for me. Going into the book based on the description and the title, I thought there would be a very defined culminating event but there isn’t. It’s understandable based on Beck being very private even in his closest relationships, but it changes the overall feel of the book. I also felt like the ending was very passionate but also a bit of a stretch, but perhaps this was because I wasn’t especially impacted by Beck even in his hey day.
I did find a lot of the stories fascinating and there’s a lot of passion and effort put in to finding out information although the way it’s written makes it a little hard to note how much is directly from sources and how much is from the author.
Overall an interesting read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Beck (I don’t think you have to be a fan to enjoy this), Scientology, or culture of the 90’s and early 2000s.
Thank you to Atria Books, Josephine Riesman, and Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, a lot of mixed feelings here. The author has a lot of predetermined ideas going in and it feels like she wrote this around them.
She hates Scientology, but who doesn’t? She brings in Satanism and the occult, ok fine. She doesn’t like what Beck did to his ex girlfriend, so much so that she recounts conversations and events as fact that she wasn’t there for and couldn’t possibly know. That’s a big problem.
She is a huge Beck fan but she doesn’t really like him or have any respect for him as a person. That’s another problem. She treats him the way she says he treats others. She tells his secrets like she has permission. She doesn’t. If he was a Danny Masterson type, that’s one thing. Beck isn’t though, and abuse that he suffered as a minor and has never talked about should be his to tell. This book isn’t authorized and because of that, a lot of liberties are taken.
I’ve read and liked her other books and was looking forward to this one, but she whiffed on this. Too big of an axe to grind.
I don’t think I recommend it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
She hates Scientology, but who doesn’t? She brings in Satanism and the occult, ok fine. She doesn’t like what Beck did to his ex girlfriend, so much so that she recounts conversations and events as fact that she wasn’t there for and couldn’t possibly know. That’s a big problem.
She is a huge Beck fan but she doesn’t really like him or have any respect for him as a person. That’s another problem. She treats him the way she says he treats others. She tells his secrets like she has permission. She doesn’t. If he was a Danny Masterson type, that’s one thing. Beck isn’t though, and abuse that he suffered as a minor and has never talked about should be his to tell. This book isn’t authorized and because of that, a lot of liberties are taken.
I’ve read and liked her other books and was looking forward to this one, but she whiffed on this. Too big of an axe to grind.
I don’t think I recommend it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Last Temptation of Beck is so much more interesting than a straightforward music biography. I loved the way Riesman digs into the strange mythology that grew around Beck in the ’90s—the “Loser” era, the genre-hopping albums, the irony, and the almost cult-like devotion of his fans. The shift around the turn of the millennium was especially fascinating, when Beck’s music became darker and more inward while he shut down the online community that had formed around him and distanced himself from the LA scene that helped shape him.
What really worked for me was the focus on the people who actually knew Beck and the way their stories complicate the public version of him. His connection to Scientology, the changing friendships, and the line between an artist creating a persona and people genuinely believing the myth make this feel like much more than a celebrity biography. It’s a really fascinating look at fandom, authenticity, and what happens when the person everyone thinks they know becomes impossible to separate from the character he created.
What really worked for me was the focus on the people who actually knew Beck and the way their stories complicate the public version of him. His connection to Scientology, the changing friendships, and the line between an artist creating a persona and people genuinely believing the myth make this feel like much more than a celebrity biography. It’s a really fascinating look at fandom, authenticity, and what happens when the person everyone thinks they know becomes impossible to separate from the character he created.
September 25, 2026
Previously, I read Riesman’s Stan Lee biography which was a fascinating exposé on the near-mythical comic book mogul. By chance, I stumbled upon this while combing through NetGalley’s catalog and had to give it a look-see.
This book served as an investigation into the elusive alternative music figure Beck and his connections to Scientology. I was never the biggest fan of Beck, so I was fine with these damning revelations. My wife used to be a bit of a fan, so every so often as I was reading this, I’d tell her one of the facts from this to keep her in the loop.
Like with her last book I read, Riesman’s writing style feels like a compelling psychological drama instead of a dry statement of facts. I can sometimes struggle reading nonfiction, but when it’s written like this, I have a great time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Josephine Riesman for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book served as an investigation into the elusive alternative music figure Beck and his connections to Scientology. I was never the biggest fan of Beck, so I was fine with these damning revelations. My wife used to be a bit of a fan, so every so often as I was reading this, I’d tell her one of the facts from this to keep her in the loop.
Like with her last book I read, Riesman’s writing style feels like a compelling psychological drama instead of a dry statement of facts. I can sometimes struggle reading nonfiction, but when it’s written like this, I have a great time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Josephine Riesman for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews