Springsteen: Point Blank

by Christopher Sandford

The first full-length biography of the Boss in almost a decade

Bruce Springsteen turned fifty in 1999-the same year he was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He remains one of the last true rock stars and nothing less than a cultural icon, with album sales of fifteen million annually and concerts that are instant sellouts worldwide-now more than ever with the revival tour of the E Street Band. In Springsteen, Christopher Sandford takes us back to the Boss's early days in New Jersey and through the sensational hits and rock-god lifestyle of the mid-seventies...bringing the Springsteen story right up to the present and a second generation of fans. By interviewing virtually all the major figures in Springsteen's life past and present, and combining that with his own celebrated skill as a writer and critic, Sandford has created a compelling-and often surprising-portrait, one that gives new insight into Springsteen's music and influence and illuminates the many contradictions in his complex makeup.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

447 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1999

About the author

Christopher Sandford has published acclaimed biographies of Kurt Cobain, Steve McQueen, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, and Roman Polanski. He has worked as a film and music writer and reviewer for over 20 years and frequently contributes to newspapers and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone has called him "the preeminent author in his field today."

His latest project, MASTERS OF MYSTERY (forthcoming November 2011, Palgrave Macmillan) explores Arthur Conan Doyle's and Harry Houdini's incredible friendship and fascination with Spiritualism.

Reviews

[CL · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read like a conversation with someone who could not make up his mind which topic he wanted to discuss. But that said I did enjoy the story once I got used to the writing style. For instance, I did not know the tidbit on his seeing Elvis on television and wanting to be just like him. I had read stories about his grass roots way of living and admire that about him but there was so much more I thought could have been covered if he had actually interviewed “The Boss”. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shockingly frank look at the dark side of an American icon -- Springsteen as you've never seen him before!

[Kenneth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christopher Sandford lacks the ability and sense on how to write a biography. He will write one solid, informative page, then on the very next page he will descend into a backstage gossip mode and locker room chatter. This goes on back and forth throughout the book, this bi-polar writing style. How much do we need to know about the boss and his groupies? I have read books on the Churchill family and on Joseph P. Kennedy, and the writers have clearly detailed the individual’s sexual habits and behavior in two pages. Then you move on. The Boss is idolized by many, and past authors have gushed over him and lionized him. I was not looking for that. However, the subject should be dignified. The writer should show more class. Sanford has also written books on Mick Jagger, Kurt Cobain, Bowie, Clapton and Sting. I will not be reaching for any of those books. This qualifies as “celebrity gossip”, not a serious biography.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I didn't like about this book:
1) some of the information is incorrect (surprisingly so, for someone who has done even superficial research on Springsteen), which brings into question the validity of several events he relates
2) he seems to go back and forth on his opinions of things: "This album was brilliant," followed by several pages explaining why the album was NOT brilliant. It feels as though he's cut and paste several different views, then forgotten to go back, make citations, and smooth out transitions
3) it's often hard to know what the author is talking about; the writing frequently gets confusing. He makes many statements that need more fleshing out

In spite of this, he does come up with some truly poetic and authentic insights into Springsteen, as both an artist and human being. Probably only for hard-core fans who need to say they've read it all.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spent the last couple of weeks reading a chapter at a time, but couldn't get interested in it, maybe the style of writing is not to my taste. It happens.
A NetGalley Book

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is so poorly written, I am sorry, I simply cannot finish it

[Rory Toohey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review on Legends of Springsteen

[Neil · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This was very disappointing with the author jumping from one part of Springsteen life to another from page to page.
The writing style was not for me and made for a very poor read.
My advice if you want to read about Springsteen. Look somewhere else.

[David LaVaque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dont' care much for the writing style. But the info is good if you like to peek behind the curtain of your favorite musicians.