We Can Be Heroes: The Radical Individualism of David Bowie

by Robert Dean Lurie

Utilizing song lyrics, interviews, biographical resources, and commentaries from a diverse range of writers and artists, "We Can Be Heroes" follows the strong thread of radical individualism running through David Bowie's work and life, exploring its parallels with the ideas of such diverse figures as Friedrich Nietzsche, Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Ayn Rand, and Aleister Crowley. Bowie's legacy is also compared with that of his successors, such as Madonna and Lady Gaga, a contrast that demonstrates that his philosophical foundation, largely absent from the work of these and other more image-oriented performers, has guaranteed his body of work the sort of longevity usually only accorded to authors and visual artists. Bowie kicked off a one-man revolution in self-actualization. This book examines its substance and implications.

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2016

About the author

Robert Dean Lurie is a writer and musician based in Tempe, Arizona. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is the author of "Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years," "We Can Be Heroes: The Radical Individualism of David Bowie," and "No Certainty Attached: Steve Kilbey and The Church."

Reviews

[Dave Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

It ain't easy

This ain't rocknroll , this is a dissertation . I felt like I was back at Glasgow University struggling with my M.Phil.
At best an intellectual opinion piece, Robert Dean Lurie seems to cherry pick to demonstrate or fulfil his hypothesis. At worse a piece of literary masturbation. Sorry Robert pointless let the children Boogie.

[Alec Downie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels more like a dissertation than a book but a few nice connections and ideas.

It was good that the author strayed away from the straight down the middle hits on occasion, though the depth of the thought process was at times shallower than I would have liked.

While I found the comparisons to the protagonist Howard Roark in "The Fountainhead" interesting, they did get a little repetitive and with so many interviews, books, lyrics and performances to choose from, the argument felt forced to fit, rather than a flowing sound conclusion.

Still worth picking up for Bowie fans who share his love for books.

[Ben Guterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for any Bowie fan, this compact work neatly melds biographical highlights and discography with observations on Bowie's cultural impact. Most compellingly, Lurie explores the literary and philosophic sources (from Nietzsche and Aleister Crowley to Kerouac and William S. Burroughs) of Bowie's ever-evolving perspective, as well as his confounding "Is this a persona or the authentic man?" maneuverings across decades. Throughout, Lurie contends that Bowie epitomized the individualist ethos of Ayn Rand's architect-hero, Howard Roark. Readers may not assent completely to the correspondence (and some may dispute Lurie's chastening of Madonna and Lady Gaga) but they'll likely find plenty to admire in this deft survey of Bowie's life, work, and legacy. I loved the book, and not just because I was a huge Bowie fan at a critical juncture of my life but also because Robert Lurie is such a generous biographer and critic.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, but fun meditation on Bowie

It’s a quick read, but a worthy enjoyment for the Bowie fan. Good insights into song meanings and how to apply his philosophy to our lives

[The American Conservative]

"Although its basic outlines are familiar, Lurie tells the story of Bowie’s transformation clearly and engagingly. The question is whether Bowie’s performance art should really be characterized as a kind of philosophical argument. I am skeptical that this is a useful way of understanding Bowie’s significance. His “changes”, as he called them, have received lavish attention from critics and obituarists. As Rod Liddle has pointed out in The Spectator, however, these tributes ignore the fact that Bowie was far from the only rock star to play around with costume, aesthetics, and musical styles. Outside of the most grimly sincere subgenres, musicians change their images about as often as ordinary people change their shirts. The reason isn’t radical individualism so much as Rand’s other great obsession: the pursuit of wealth."

Samuel Goldman's review: http://www.theamericanconservative.co...

[Ryan Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging little book. I've read several different summaries, accounts, analyses, and bios of David Bowie and his work, and this new volume by Robert Lurie stands out. It's extremely well written, and is based on a depth of scholarship which extends far beyond music and pop culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author explored Bowie's reading, the different influences on his thought at different periods, and how he explored it through his music. The emphasis on Bowie's individuality, on following his own path, and thriving on opposition when audiences and record companies didn't share that vision, appeals strongly to me. I think this book captures that driving force of this incredible artist extremely well.

I also highly recommend Robert Lurie's earlier book, "No Certainty Attached: Steve Kilbey and The Church" (Verse Chorus Press, 2009).

[Rob Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew David Bowie was an interesting person but I didn't know how interesting. This book gave some interesting details into his life from beginning to end. A great read and lots of great information shared.

Peace and love,
Rob @ http://authorstalkaboutit.com