What do you think?
Rate this book
Everything: A Book About Manic Street Preachers
Described as'Rock Book of the decade' by the Guardian in London, this is the fascinating story of this number one- selling, award-winning UK band. Beginning with their childhoods in South Wales, Simon Price traces the lives of the band through their early days, the mysterious disappearance of their songwriter, Richey Edwards, and concluding with the release of their multi-platinum album "This is My Truth Tell Me Yours." Classic photos, unseen rarities -- including exclusive pictures from the band's official photographer -- and the most comprehensive "Manic Street Preachers" discography ever published, make this book unmissable. Has sold over 20,000 copies since its original publication in 1999 Written with the full co-operation of the band, their families, their friends and colleagues in the music industry.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1999
19 people are currently reading
534 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 3, 2019
Amazing and gut-wrenching, but also inspiring and full of hope. A music band like no other in the world; quite honestly, even if their music were bad, their story alone would still be fascinating, if only because there are no bands like this one any longer... or very few, and even fewer that get any attention.
Manic Street Preachers. What to say. With an open heart I can admit the melodrama and Ritchie's puppy eyes got me to their albums, my love for their music came later. But twenty years on, and it's still here. Their first four albums (yep, even the much reviled Gold Against the Soul, I like what I like) were all I listened to for five years. I bought posters, magazines, badges and even a Welsh flag, I kid you not. When the book was published, I got a copy and read it in a couple of days. Nothing I could possibly read would make me change my mind about the Fantastic Four, but I was not ready for my obsession to be enhanced like it was.
However, I believe this is a book everybody can enjoy: one doesn't need to be into the Manics to care about the tragic events that happend to these talented and missunderstood boys from Nowhere. The book works perfectly as a story of pain, success, friendship and music in general, as it is a biography of the band itself. If you like reading, if you like gripping stories, I recommend this book: Everything has something for everyone.
Manic Street Preachers. What to say. With an open heart I can admit the melodrama and Ritchie's puppy eyes got me to their albums, my love for their music came later. But twenty years on, and it's still here. Their first four albums (yep, even the much reviled Gold Against the Soul, I like what I like) were all I listened to for five years. I bought posters, magazines, badges and even a Welsh flag, I kid you not. When the book was published, I got a copy and read it in a couple of days. Nothing I could possibly read would make me change my mind about the Fantastic Four, but I was not ready for my obsession to be enhanced like it was.
However, I believe this is a book everybody can enjoy: one doesn't need to be into the Manics to care about the tragic events that happend to these talented and missunderstood boys from Nowhere. The book works perfectly as a story of pain, success, friendship and music in general, as it is a biography of the band itself. If you like reading, if you like gripping stories, I recommend this book: Everything has something for everyone.
February 4, 2019
I don't know why it took me so long to finish this book. It certainly wasn't due to lack of interest in the subject matter or lack of enjoyment in the reading. I guess, sometimes, reading about something as close and personal as your favourite band is just a bit overwhelming.
Simon Price is a great writer and excels at spot-on descriptions and witty phrasing. I particularly enjoyed the essays between each chapter, which are lovely and articulate insights into different aspects of the band, its members, and their fans. However, a better editor would not have been unwelcome - there are lots of typographical errors, repetitions, and both major and minor factual inaccuracies that interrupt the reading experience.
Despite the fact that this book is 20 years old, it doesn't read as something old that needs updating, but largely remains relevant and acts as a perfect snapshot of the band's early years. Part of my enjoyment in reading this book was due to the fact that it is two decades old - it includes a complete discography and a list of websites relating to the band at the back, completing the feeling of late-90s nostalgia.
I don't think it's a book I'm likely to read again in full, but I'll definitely revisit certain passages. It's an essential book for any Manics fan to keep on their bookshelf, anyway :)
Simon Price is a great writer and excels at spot-on descriptions and witty phrasing. I particularly enjoyed the essays between each chapter, which are lovely and articulate insights into different aspects of the band, its members, and their fans. However, a better editor would not have been unwelcome - there are lots of typographical errors, repetitions, and both major and minor factual inaccuracies that interrupt the reading experience.
Despite the fact that this book is 20 years old, it doesn't read as something old that needs updating, but largely remains relevant and acts as a perfect snapshot of the band's early years. Part of my enjoyment in reading this book was due to the fact that it is two decades old - it includes a complete discography and a list of websites relating to the band at the back, completing the feeling of late-90s nostalgia.
I don't think it's a book I'm likely to read again in full, but I'll definitely revisit certain passages. It's an essential book for any Manics fan to keep on their bookshelf, anyway :)
July 18, 2012
Must read book for any fan of the group, comprehensive and articulate yet never overly serious and stale. Price's relationship to the band gives it a nice personal feel and he's got a great, readable writing style. Probably the best band biography out there and seriously recommended.
March 1, 2013
Very entertaining, at times affecting, this book only has two problems. Price does tend to gush over Richey Edwards a bit, and there are some fairly major inaccuracies (the year Sean Moore was born for example. I did really enjoy it though. I think it manages to capture why the Manics mean so much to their fans.
October 14, 2015
I read this book 12 years ago knowing very little about the MSP and even so, my God it was gripping from the start. The author has such insight and a rare intimacy that nonetheless remains respectful and dignified whilst telling band's funny, unlikely and at times tragic story. I've never forgotten this book, it had such an impact.
April 17, 2024
Perhaps it is unfair to read this 24 years after publication but the biggest thing that jumped out to me now Vs being a fan 'then' was the lack of care given - who, out of all the people attached to them had the duty of care towards the band?
Veers towards hagiography in parts but without that attachment there wouldn't be the insight or passion
Veers towards hagiography in parts but without that attachment there wouldn't be the insight or passion
March 13, 2018
Probably the best book on the manics. Well written and the included essays on subjects that arise from the manics life makes the book such a interesting read. If your new to the manics this book will give you a great look at their history. I constantly go back and read this book
May 21, 2009
At least, the best thing to read about the Manics until Nicky decides to write his own book...
May 16, 2018
"Libraries gave us power"
I mention the above as it's likely the most famous Manics lyric and because I got this near twenty year old biography from my local library. This review is about to devolve into an autobiographical nature, but bare with me even if you find it a mere self indulgence.
Manic Street Preachers were the first band I discovered myself at the age of 12 upon seeing an advert for the "Everything Must Go" album and I thereafter picked a copy of the single of the same name very cheaply at my local supermarket when it had fallen out of the charts. I listened to music before this, but this was the first time a band had gotten to me purely because of their music with no other foreknowledge influencing things. I got the album that Christmas also.
I had no knowledge of the history they were purging on EMG until my Dad mentioned to me about a reported sighting of the missing member of the Manics. This was a head exploding moment as I knew nothing about it and in those pre-internet days it took me a while to build up any knowledge. As the years went by I continued to be a fan until my late teens when I was in thrall to the "New Rock Revolution" and then moved on to other music from there leaving the Manics behind. It was only recently when I started an MSP listening binge out of almost nowhere that I realised I still didn't know the full story behind the band and Richey''s disappearance. I bought this book not long after its publication, but never got around to reading it only to happily discover there was a copy available in the city's library catalogue.
The book isn't just your standard rock biography much in the same way that MSP aren't your standard rock band. As well as telling the story of the band there are 10 essays included looking at the members of the band and themes associated with them. The writing is engaging and is not afraid to criticise the band when it is thought to be in order especially regarding live performances. There's humour in the writing too, but it's hit and miss and at times just downright misplaced with Price almost missing the tone of what he's writing just to throw in a silly one liner.
Published just 4 years after the disappearance of Richey, he is the main focus of the book and his features and foibles are lenghtily explained. Nicky comes in a close second and appears to be just an agent provocateur with many outlandish, mischievous quotes. James and Sean often have large events in their lives passed over in a line, but as the book wore on I realised this had more to do with them guarding their privacy as much as the author not writing about them. There's a transcript of the interview that led to the "4 REAL" incident and 3 quarters of the book really focuses in on Richey as the focal point and heartbeat of the band amidst his trouble and lack of musicianship. The book certainly dispelled myths surrounding the band and especially who Richey was as he wasn't just some drugged rock poseur.
My severe lack of knowledge regarding his disappearance was really rammed home upon reading about it. It's here the writer's affection for him pays off in that you are left to feel the devestating blow that his disappearance was and how it wasn't as simple as it first appeared.
It's a near 20 year old book that covers the most famous years of a one off band that manages to do the job you want it to. It informs and entertains in equal measure. As I came to the end I did wish it would keep going and I could read about those last 20 years of the Manics, but I guess I'll just have to catch up with their back catalogue.
I mention the above as it's likely the most famous Manics lyric and because I got this near twenty year old biography from my local library. This review is about to devolve into an autobiographical nature, but bare with me even if you find it a mere self indulgence.
Manic Street Preachers were the first band I discovered myself at the age of 12 upon seeing an advert for the "Everything Must Go" album and I thereafter picked a copy of the single of the same name very cheaply at my local supermarket when it had fallen out of the charts. I listened to music before this, but this was the first time a band had gotten to me purely because of their music with no other foreknowledge influencing things. I got the album that Christmas also.
I had no knowledge of the history they were purging on EMG until my Dad mentioned to me about a reported sighting of the missing member of the Manics. This was a head exploding moment as I knew nothing about it and in those pre-internet days it took me a while to build up any knowledge. As the years went by I continued to be a fan until my late teens when I was in thrall to the "New Rock Revolution" and then moved on to other music from there leaving the Manics behind. It was only recently when I started an MSP listening binge out of almost nowhere that I realised I still didn't know the full story behind the band and Richey''s disappearance. I bought this book not long after its publication, but never got around to reading it only to happily discover there was a copy available in the city's library catalogue.
The book isn't just your standard rock biography much in the same way that MSP aren't your standard rock band. As well as telling the story of the band there are 10 essays included looking at the members of the band and themes associated with them. The writing is engaging and is not afraid to criticise the band when it is thought to be in order especially regarding live performances. There's humour in the writing too, but it's hit and miss and at times just downright misplaced with Price almost missing the tone of what he's writing just to throw in a silly one liner.
Published just 4 years after the disappearance of Richey, he is the main focus of the book and his features and foibles are lenghtily explained. Nicky comes in a close second and appears to be just an agent provocateur with many outlandish, mischievous quotes. James and Sean often have large events in their lives passed over in a line, but as the book wore on I realised this had more to do with them guarding their privacy as much as the author not writing about them. There's a transcript of the interview that led to the "4 REAL" incident and 3 quarters of the book really focuses in on Richey as the focal point and heartbeat of the band amidst his trouble and lack of musicianship. The book certainly dispelled myths surrounding the band and especially who Richey was as he wasn't just some drugged rock poseur.
My severe lack of knowledge regarding his disappearance was really rammed home upon reading about it. It's here the writer's affection for him pays off in that you are left to feel the devestating blow that his disappearance was and how it wasn't as simple as it first appeared.
It's a near 20 year old book that covers the most famous years of a one off band that manages to do the job you want it to. It informs and entertains in equal measure. As I came to the end I did wish it would keep going and I could read about those last 20 years of the Manics, but I guess I'll just have to catch up with their back catalogue.
July 31, 2019
Everything (A Book About Manic Street Preachers) (1999) by Simon Price is a stunning insight into the lives and careers of the Manic Street Preachers from their early days up to the time the book was published.
The book gives a glimpse into their working-class beginnings from Blackwood in Wales during the time of the miner’s strike. Been from a working-class background myself I could understand the aspiration to want to get out of a small town and just do something with your life and music was their way out of the town which Richey described as “a shithole, where the only way to escape was to create your own reality.” The book describes their early days as a band when they would send their music for the attention of A & R departments in London and ask talent scouts to come to see them perform in the local pub and their earlier life as a band when they signed to Damaged Goods and Hevenly and their more long-term signing to independent PR and management company Philip Hall’s Hall Or Nothing which he had founded in 1985 through to their mainstream success and Brit Award wins.
The part in the book about the disappearance of Richey Edwards was written with great compassion unlike a certain documentary called ‘The Vanishing of Richey Manic’ which the writer regrets been involved with stating that he had “entered into the project in good faith, swayed largely by the fact that Steve Lamacq, whom I trusted, was also involved.” Having seen the documentary I can say that I didn’t think he said anything wrong. The problem more lay in the vision of the entire piece and so many other commentators on the show. And the part in the book is also very fair by having various differing opinions on what people think happened to Richey about whether he is still alive or whether he passed on and has a lovely dedication at the beginning to Richey, “This book is dedicated to Richey Edwards, wherever he may be” with below it, “Our romance is having total power because we know we have nothing to lose. We’re secure in the knowledge that we already lost a long time ago”.
I love Simon Price’s style of writing. I read a lot of books where the style is very objective and it’s so dull and so boring that the person, band or subject might be interesting but by the time they are through the overview or something I’m ready to fall asleep. This book was different. It was written amazing but it was also written with a human quality unlike some writer rattling off facts all the time and not injecting a bit of a style/personality to proceedings. It was very obvious that he was a fan as well as a journalist who had interviewed them over the years. I loved the bit when he spoke about a scene which didn’t make the band’s ‘You Love Us’ music video which Price was there for, “Nor did a shot involving Richey looking unspeakably gorgeous in a white wedding dress, a hand grenade stuffed in his mouth like an apple. I would have married him there and then.” It was just wonderfully down-to-earth and I think we’ve all looked at someone we fancy looking all manner of hot and thought that so it was very relateable and yes I could relate to it!
Alongside the eleven chapters there is ten essays analysing various aspects to do with the band including their sexuality, fans and the fan culture, self-harm, Welsh nationalism, their feelings about been a rock ‘n’ roll band and America and their relation to the band. It is an intriguing, indepth book that you will just get lost in. It is really interesting and a thoroughly, thoroughly good read.
The book gives a glimpse into their working-class beginnings from Blackwood in Wales during the time of the miner’s strike. Been from a working-class background myself I could understand the aspiration to want to get out of a small town and just do something with your life and music was their way out of the town which Richey described as “a shithole, where the only way to escape was to create your own reality.” The book describes their early days as a band when they would send their music for the attention of A & R departments in London and ask talent scouts to come to see them perform in the local pub and their earlier life as a band when they signed to Damaged Goods and Hevenly and their more long-term signing to independent PR and management company Philip Hall’s Hall Or Nothing which he had founded in 1985 through to their mainstream success and Brit Award wins.
The part in the book about the disappearance of Richey Edwards was written with great compassion unlike a certain documentary called ‘The Vanishing of Richey Manic’ which the writer regrets been involved with stating that he had “entered into the project in good faith, swayed largely by the fact that Steve Lamacq, whom I trusted, was also involved.” Having seen the documentary I can say that I didn’t think he said anything wrong. The problem more lay in the vision of the entire piece and so many other commentators on the show. And the part in the book is also very fair by having various differing opinions on what people think happened to Richey about whether he is still alive or whether he passed on and has a lovely dedication at the beginning to Richey, “This book is dedicated to Richey Edwards, wherever he may be” with below it, “Our romance is having total power because we know we have nothing to lose. We’re secure in the knowledge that we already lost a long time ago”.
I love Simon Price’s style of writing. I read a lot of books where the style is very objective and it’s so dull and so boring that the person, band or subject might be interesting but by the time they are through the overview or something I’m ready to fall asleep. This book was different. It was written amazing but it was also written with a human quality unlike some writer rattling off facts all the time and not injecting a bit of a style/personality to proceedings. It was very obvious that he was a fan as well as a journalist who had interviewed them over the years. I loved the bit when he spoke about a scene which didn’t make the band’s ‘You Love Us’ music video which Price was there for, “Nor did a shot involving Richey looking unspeakably gorgeous in a white wedding dress, a hand grenade stuffed in his mouth like an apple. I would have married him there and then.” It was just wonderfully down-to-earth and I think we’ve all looked at someone we fancy looking all manner of hot and thought that so it was very relateable and yes I could relate to it!
Alongside the eleven chapters there is ten essays analysing various aspects to do with the band including their sexuality, fans and the fan culture, self-harm, Welsh nationalism, their feelings about been a rock ‘n’ roll band and America and their relation to the band. It is an intriguing, indepth book that you will just get lost in. It is really interesting and a thoroughly, thoroughly good read.
June 13, 2007
MSP.
Highly literate, and political/socio-political welsh punk band who infamously suffered a severe setback when their chief lyricist, group icon and style arbiter disappeared, never to be seen again in early 1995.
This book, written by a hard-core gay fan-boy of the group, plots their rise to fame, their devastation at Richey James' disappearance and their subsequent decision to carry on as a three piece which led to their scoring a #1 UK hit with the comeback single 'A Design For Life' and being lauded with all sorts of plaudits for the album 'Everything Must Go'.
Well written, engaging stuff. Their story is so exceptional that it makes for highly riveting reading that easily eclipses many paint-by-numbers rock biogs.
Highly literate, and political/socio-political welsh punk band who infamously suffered a severe setback when their chief lyricist, group icon and style arbiter disappeared, never to be seen again in early 1995.
This book, written by a hard-core gay fan-boy of the group, plots their rise to fame, their devastation at Richey James' disappearance and their subsequent decision to carry on as a three piece which led to their scoring a #1 UK hit with the comeback single 'A Design For Life' and being lauded with all sorts of plaudits for the album 'Everything Must Go'.
Well written, engaging stuff. Their story is so exceptional that it makes for highly riveting reading that easily eclipses many paint-by-numbers rock biogs.
May 30, 2024
An overall disappointment. Mainly due to the author’s constantly annoying scattershot (negative) opinions on other bands and especially the amount of very unfunny funny remarks.
There is almost no ending either and the final parts feel rushed. Worst of all - the book is not remotely interested in James Dean Bradfield’s incredible flair for melodies and music in general.
For a book called EVERYTHING most of it is a love letter to Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire, secondly a book about the author himself.
That said, is also written with a lot of first hand knowledge and the Archives of Pain chapter is mesmerizing.
There is almost no ending either and the final parts feel rushed. Worst of all - the book is not remotely interested in James Dean Bradfield’s incredible flair for melodies and music in general.
For a book called EVERYTHING most of it is a love letter to Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire, secondly a book about the author himself.
That said, is also written with a lot of first hand knowledge and the Archives of Pain chapter is mesmerizing.
February 13, 2022
Not a perfect book by any means - could’ve used some extra edits & so on - but I’ll accept that this is THE AUTHORS manics history & I will say I appreciated this deeply for how much it gave me of the manics themselves (from someone who has just come into being a fan) and I will say something clearly was working well because I cried like a little baby basically every time I picked this book up. Overall I just love the manics and I rlly valued this dive into them from someone who clearly knows their stuff and has followed them through so much!
September 7, 2016
The best book written about the best band to come out of Wales.
May 17, 2016
Somewhat implausible. Would anyone *really* release a single called "Motorcycle Emptiness"?
May 22, 2025
Having just read two books about "The Holy Bible", the next logical step of my Manics obsession was to check out what is largely considered the definitive book written about the band (despite it predating more than 20 years of their career).
I was a bit afraid that after consuming so much stuff about the Manics, a biography would feel a bit redundant to me, but oh I was wrong: Price's writing is superb and very engaging - so much so that I read the entire book in one day - and the fact that he was close to the band practically from their beginnings offers tons of delightful anecdotes that really give you the feeling of living through the band's first decade. I appreciate that Price isn't 100% worshiping the group and offers some criticism and thoughtful analysis. As for all the Richey stuff, it's things I've heard a million times, but I never felt as engaged in his story as I did while reading this, and I might have gotten a bit choked up a couple of times.
A wonderful testament to a fascinating band. My only regret is that it doesn't cover the very interesting career arc of the Manics in the 2000s, or their late-career resurgences like "Journal for Plague Lovers" or "Futurology", but there's plenty of Price's writing and podcast appearances on the internet to make up for that.
Essential for any Manics fan (not that you need a reminder) and, I'd add, for anyone interested in the '90s rock/pop era.
I was a bit afraid that after consuming so much stuff about the Manics, a biography would feel a bit redundant to me, but oh I was wrong: Price's writing is superb and very engaging - so much so that I read the entire book in one day - and the fact that he was close to the band practically from their beginnings offers tons of delightful anecdotes that really give you the feeling of living through the band's first decade. I appreciate that Price isn't 100% worshiping the group and offers some criticism and thoughtful analysis. As for all the Richey stuff, it's things I've heard a million times, but I never felt as engaged in his story as I did while reading this, and I might have gotten a bit choked up a couple of times.
A wonderful testament to a fascinating band. My only regret is that it doesn't cover the very interesting career arc of the Manics in the 2000s, or their late-career resurgences like "Journal for Plague Lovers" or "Futurology", but there's plenty of Price's writing and podcast appearances on the internet to make up for that.
Essential for any Manics fan (not that you need a reminder) and, I'd add, for anyone interested in the '90s rock/pop era.
December 26, 2024
A must read for any die hard MSP fans. Big emphasis on the first three albums which are the ones I have listened to the least, so a lot of fun learning how the manics were back then. I did not like the fact that Price states about This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours being MSP's best album, and I quote: "It clearly wasn't, but, with repeated listening, it eases comfortably into third place." I don't think the author has the authority to say that any album clearly is the best. But that's a minor hickup on an otherwise great book. I would love to read more about the, at the time, upcoming albums but they were yet to be released at the time of publishing and I'm guessing that Price is no time traveler so there's that.
August 31, 2017
I really couldn't have asked for a better book on the Manics. I feel that the author had the perfect amount of personal insight yet professional detachment from the history of the Manics, which went well with the fact that they are a band that have always been intensely personal yet expansively broad in their lyrical references and politics. The author is also skilled in that he was able to pack so much history and information within the book, which would have taken many writers many more hundreds of pages to encompass.
October 24, 2025
Very interesting book, and an engaging read, but my two main big gripes are (in order of importance):
1. It is journalistically irresponsible to put a full page, full color print of the 4real image in this book. I get that it's an important part of Manics history, but it did not have to be that big and without warning.
2. I understand that the book is not extremely concerned with exact dates and facts being correct, but some things are so easy to fact check, like which song a particular lyric is from, and who a quote from an interview is attributed to.
1. It is journalistically irresponsible to put a full page, full color print of the 4real image in this book. I get that it's an important part of Manics history, but it did not have to be that big and without warning.
2. I understand that the book is not extremely concerned with exact dates and facts being correct, but some things are so easy to fact check, like which song a particular lyric is from, and who a quote from an interview is attributed to.
December 12, 2025
Amazing and comprehensive look at the Manics from beginnings to the book’s print date. Reading was a labor of love (and my eyes because wow that font and its size was a tough read). It’s funny and so tragic and highlights the ethos and contradictions of the band. It was giving me a bit of existential grief as Price put into words so many reasons that unconsciously lead me to MSP. The book ends with many questions that we have answers to now and knowing the band continues on is blessing. This is 100% required reading for the Manics fan.
November 19, 2019
An in-depth analysis and insight into the music of Manic Street Preachers up to 1998. Price’s knowledge of the band is intimate, and he’s certainly not afraid to critique the band in anyway, which is refreshing for a biography. A worthwhile read for any fan, be it of the band or of British music.
March 26, 2024
Read this as research for my dissertation. Although it was published 25 years ago, it's a great book that's given me a strong foundation for my research before I move onto more recently published books on the Manics.
January 1, 2025
A really good overview of the birth of the Manic Street Preachers, from their Valleys childhoods through to the highs and lows of their early career, through the tragedy of Richie and onward to Everything Must Go. Funny, moving, and hopeful.
February 1, 2018
Fascinating
November 28, 2019
An essential read for any Manics fan - Simon Jones tells the history of the band, combining his own following of them from one of their earliest gigs with hundreds of excerpts from interviews and reviews. It's really readable and packed with facts and strong opinions. Only occasionally do Jones' own opinions get in the way of the story - usually when it comes to his dismissive views of pretty much every other band except the Manics. But this is unquestionably a great 'I was there' account of a one-of-a-kind British band. Now we just need Nicky Wire's version.
February 8, 2019
I award this book five stars not to signify how good I think it is, or how much I enjoyed reading it. On a more personal note, I have no idea how many times I suffered with this in my hands (which I kinda enjoyed.....) It was also Simon Price's writing that took part in how deeply the bad has got me affected. A proof that a 'subculture' can afford such intellectual stimulants.
As a biography, this gives detailed insights about the band. Their lyrical references, literatures, politics, their obsession, and their refusal to—which is difficult to believe—'heroic' reputation no matter how their fans regard them as.
It took a while until I could back down and be honest to myself. How very silly, how very 'sassy punk rock', how meek you are to the industrialized devotion, but when you privatize it you'll eventually regard them because they are part of you. They are all yours. Like this part of me that I love.
As a biography, this gives detailed insights about the band. Their lyrical references, literatures, politics, their obsession, and their refusal to—which is difficult to believe—'heroic' reputation no matter how their fans regard them as.
It took a while until I could back down and be honest to myself. How very silly, how very 'sassy punk rock', how meek you are to the industrialized devotion, but when you privatize it you'll eventually regard them because they are part of you. They are all yours. Like this part of me that I love.
February 12, 2018
This is the first paperback edition, published 1999. There's a second edition, published 2004.
The typesetting is inexcusably ugly, especially given the subject. The writing is pedestrian and cliché-addled. Three consecutive sentences, from page 67: "The Manics were no longer anybody's best-kept secret. They were going overground. [paragraph change] It was time to put up or shut up."
The photo captions are so crass that anyone with an ounce of sympathy for the book's subjects will be disgusted.
Avoid!
The typesetting is inexcusably ugly, especially given the subject. The writing is pedestrian and cliché-addled. Three consecutive sentences, from page 67: "The Manics were no longer anybody's best-kept secret. They were going overground. [paragraph change] It was time to put up or shut up."
The photo captions are so crass that anyone with an ounce of sympathy for the book's subjects will be disgusted.
Avoid!
July 29, 2021
It's one of the best books written about the Manics from their early beginnings starting out to the disappearance of Richey Edwards and releasing "Everything Must Go" it's a very good induction for anyone who hasn't heard of the Manic Street Preachers. I think they were so far ahead of their time at the point they didn't know what to make of them at the time they came out because they were so brutally honest and what attracted to me to this band in the first place was their love of art, history and literature.
October 22, 2014
Amazing and instantly readable, lots to take in over larger than average pages and in a smaller, compelling font size. I read A Version Of Reason earlier which was Richey focused and between the two, Everything being as official via Simon Price as you can currently get, the two tell it all in detail. About 5 or 6 other albums later...so updates wanted! Sadly no Richey news :-(
October 9, 2008
Yes, its written by a hardcore fan, but this book by far includes most everything you need to know about the Manics up to the This is My Truth years. No other band's story is quite like their's...a definite good read for any fan of music
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews