Oasis: La verdadera historia

by Paul Gallagher

Good: A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dust cover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels.Some of our books may have slightly worn corners, and minor creases to the covers. Please note the cover may sometimes be different to the one shown.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

168 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 3, 1996

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband bought this for me at a used bookstore as a joke (I do love Oasis), but the book turned out to be a lot better than the cheesy cover would suggest. Brothers is the story of Oasis told by Noel and Liam's older brother Paul. There's actually a fascinating story here: "We were just brothers and on the outside we appeared the same as anybody else, if a bit more argumentative and disagreeable. Then one day they both showed a staggering talent for music and a surge of confidence that led them to achieve. It left me questioning my life."

While there is a little fan pandering throughout (do you want to know about Liam's favorite breakfast cereal as a child?), there are also a lot of really interesting stories. Some are directly related to Oasis, including their rise to fame and their brother's reaction to be essentially being left behind in his own family. But there are also some great ones that are almost irrelevant to the band: growing up poor and Irish in Manchester during the 70s and 80s; dealing with an abusive father; examining sibling relationships and birth order; attending Man City away matches in some of England's most depressing towns. Paul does bring some of these experiences back around in a nice way as he explores the meaning behind Noel's songs, but they also stand on their own as a pretty good memoir.

Of course the major issue with this book is that it was originally published in 1996, with a short update at the beginning of 1997. A lot has happened to Oasis and the world since then. But the frozen-in-time quality lends the book a sort of poignancy. Paul ends the narrative on the precipice of 1997 with assumed triumph for Be Here Now, domestic bliss for Liam and Noel and their respective first wives, continued success in America, and years of glory for the band. Looking back on it now, things didn't turn out the way anyone expected, but they didn't turn out badly either. As Noel sings, "I've been lost / I've been found / but I don't feel down."

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book back in the 1990's when Oasis were huge. I actually quite enjoyed reading it and liked the family photographs included inside. Written by their eldest and unknown brother, it tells the story of the Oasis frontmen from childhood to fame. An interesting read for fans of the band.

[Naessens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for any serious Oasis fan. Written by Paul, the eldest Gallagher brother, it describes their childhood and the debut of Oasis in Manchester as well as the beginning of their success story. Mostly based on the testimonies of Paul and their mother Peggy, fans amongst other readers will discover where their family came from, their childhood and teenage years, the conditions in which they were raised by their mother and how the behaviour of their father affected them. Thus, it helps readers to understand (though not defend all the time) Noel and Liam's characters and behaviours nowadays as well as decipher the stories they tell to journalists (or the stories made up by so-called reporters, more on this below). Personally, it makes Noel nicer to me and I understand better why it's hard for him bearing his younger brother Liam.
There are also a few stories and anecdotes about their tours once they became world class rock'n'roll stars, but don't expect many of them as Paul toured less with the band as they became more famous.
Besides, I really liked how Paul tells/explains the truths behind all the legends and myths you can find in the media about their private lives or incidents while touring.
Finally, it is a genuine, touching and intimate testimony by the brother who have remained in his more talented and successful brothers's shawdow.

[Bennison Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A charming and at times moving insight into the early years of the Gallagher brothers' rise to fame in mid-90s England

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say it was particularly well written, just sort of meanders through memories and often repeats events, but if you are an Oasis fan, it will hold your interest through the night.

[Elyse Hdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un libro que sin duda todo fan de Oasis debe leer en algún momento.

El libro fue publicado originalmente en 1997 y demasiadas cosas han pasado entre los hermanos Gallagher desde ese entonces, pero creo que es un excelente recurso para conocerlos más allá de lo que los tabloides y los periódicos ingleses han hecho de ellos.

Con una introducción de Peggy Gallagher, matriarca de la familia, conocemos cómo fue que llegó a Manchester y conoció a su esposo y padre de sus hijos. Después, la narración pasará a manos de Paul, hermano mayor de Noel y Liam.

Hay tantas anécdotas familiares alrededor de libro, algunas aportan más que otras, por ejemplo, en muchos de los capítulos está presenta la violencia que vivieron a manos de su padre, lo que derivó en las personalidades de Noel y Liam, y de alguna manera influyó para que el primero se sintiera atraído por la música desde muy joven.

Hay otros datos que quedan más como un comentario random que puedes hacer para sonar un poco más interesante como: "oye, ¿sabías que el cereal favorito de Noel Gallagher eran las zucaritas?".

Después de pasar por la etapa de las infancias, nos narra también como fue el proceso para llegar a ser Oasis y los primeros años de fama (que para el momento de publicación del libro todavía estaba en auge), por eso me conflictuó la lectura del libro entender el momento en que fue escrito y en el momento en que yo lo estaba leyendo y todo lo que había sucedido desde ese momento.

Me encantó que el libro además se complementará con muchas fotos de la infancia de los hermanos, eso hace que sin duda se sienta como un libro muy personal y permite conocer más a fondo a la familia Gallagher

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed listening to the this, with Paul Gallagher (and his Ma Peggy) telling his story and the story of Noel and Liam in his own words. It felt like you were just at the pub having the craic. I liked how nobody escapes being impersonated by Paul, he does impressions of his mam, dad, brothers, Alan McGee, Terry Christian and many others as he goes. All three of the brothers seem to share this cheeky charm.

It’s interesting to hear some of the famous Oasis and Gallagher brother moments, often overblown by the tabloids, being talked about from Paul’s point of view. It does make you wonder how much of the feuds (Oasis v Blur, Noel v Liam) were riled up specifically by the press. Similar to how the press invented a feud between the Beatles and the Stones when in fact there was no rivalry, but to them it was just a bit of a laugh.

There is some real heartbreaking moments in the Gallagher family past, mostly due to their violent father. The quote from Noel about how his father “beat the talent into him” always made me feel sad and it seems particularly cruel that Paul had to deal with the worst of their father (alongside Noel) but then when their father spoke to the press he only spoke about wanting a relationship with Noel and Liam (after they were already famous) never mentioning Paul.

I was going to say that this needs a post 1996 update but Paul is featured in the documentaries Supersonic and As It Was, so this probably doesn’t need an update. Very interesting whether you’re a fan of the band or not

[Laurie Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything... I'm a massive oasis fan. I loved getting to know what their childhood was like. Sad moments but funny ones too x

[George Foord · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who loves oasis this a must read. Although I wasn't a fan of the writing and the writer kept on saying wonderful instead of wonder wall. But otherwise interesting read.

[Amy Son ov Pear · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great brush up on my Oasis Lore before I see them next year, mad respect to the person who uploaded it on YT.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay the parts where he talks about just himself are a bit.. but it was good once it got into oasis forming and stuff. u can tell he's still salty

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, it was interesting and I enjoyed learning about the history of Noal and Liam Gallagher

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodness their Dad sounds like an awful person.

[mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAD FER IT

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

liam gallagher knew who he was from a very early age....

[Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAD FER IT

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written at the height of Oasis' success in 1996, this is pretty shamelessly an attempt by the only Gallagher brother NOT in Oasis, Paul, to cash in on the success of his two brothers, Noel and Liam, but you can't really blame him for that. Their mother even writes/reads a chapter, so hopefully she got a slice of the profits too..

I'm giving this 3 stars, but really should be a bit more (Goodreads should really let you be more specific) as it is an enjoyable read/listen and contains some interesting background from someone who knows Noel and Liam better than anybody. Paul Gallagher also includes some parts that I am sure Liam and Noel would have preferred he left out, such as the fact Liam was a whiny, annoying baby (what changed?) the fact everyone at school used to call Noel "Brezhnev" (because of the eyebrows) or, more seriously, the relationship the boys had with their father (where was he when they were getting high?) If you are interested in Oasis it is worth reading for that alone.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book as I listened to the audio book narrated by Paul Gallagher with an introduction by the Gallaghers' mother Peggy. I was quite enticed with the Gallagher brothers' childhood and had myself caught up in their brutal past, with Paul semi-graphically explaining one time where his father beat him up and explicate Liam's troubled youth as a minor; it was interesting and has you understand how Liam and Noel evolved to who they are now. The only thing that threw me off was the ending hence I didn't even know it ended until I heard Paul say "This is the end of side two." I wanted to know Paul's thoughts and perspective of Noel and Liam's success which I didn't get much outcome. But overall, this was a really enjoyable read and I might re-read it in the future.

*Update December 2014

I already listened to this book three times already, aside from my initial review, I love this book as a re-read and a recap of the Gallagher brother's life.

[Ross Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was exactly as expected. Released even before Oasis' second album it does seem just Paul's early cash-in on his younger brothers success; although well written and honest. The book actually touches on Paul's feelings of inferiority with Liam and Noel's success but also goes on to say how happy is for the both of them which is refreshing, although can't help feeling for him as nobody has any clue he even exists unless heavily involved in the band. Obviously a 101% bias review as in my opinion no greater band has ever or will ever walk this planet, so looking from my subjective viewpoint it's a good book overall which can become tiresome but would recommend.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Oasis fan, this book really helps you to undrstand why the Gallaghers are who ther are today. The fact of living with an abusive dad affected them in a way that you can't even imagine.
It's really easy to read and has a little of sarcasm that makes it enjoyable. Totally worth the reading.