Me Springsteen's book moved me beyond words...

I hung on every single word of this well told story, and finished up with tears streaming down my cheeks.
I foolishly never delved into Bruce's songs, (never mind took the time to decipher the complex lyrics), even as he was of my time. Sure I boogied to Born to Run & Tunnel of Love, but I feel like I missed the whole party. Until now, that is.
I'm so thankful that a man like this one exists in the world. Someone willing to go deep, do the hard work required in the development of an authentic self, and in this case, share his experience, and the resulting treasure, with the world. A determined soul, driven to make sense of his imperfect past, then face with courage the painful work of sorting it out for the betterment of his tribe. I want to send this book to every young male I know, in the hopes that it might inform their concept of what it is to be masculine - to be a man.
And FYI Mr Springsteen, your 'long and noisy prayer', has, indeed, rocked my very soul.
Forever grateful for your beautifully told story. You are a national treasure!

55 people found this helpful

The Boss demonstrates his strong work ethic and dedication to excellence as he tells his story.

I appreciated hearing Bruce tell his story on Audible. He shared deep personal details about his life and the creative process he used to entertain his fans throughout his career. I am a bigger fan now having heard him tell his story. I will listen to his music with fresh insights about the story being told and about Bruce and his band. Reading this book made me want to be a better father. I appreciated Bruce telling us about the positive impact mental healthcare and medicines had in the journey of his family. As a medicinal chemist that pours his heart into his craft to design best in class molecule with a purpose this made me smile. Bruce is the kind of friend I would enjoy sitting around with talking and having a beer. I hope he comes back to Indiana soon. We have a beautiful venue in Carmel called the Palladium and I know there are many that would enjoy an intimate evening with this Mega Rock Star!

22 people found this helpful

Copper Beech Trees

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone. My own family has suffered through generations of serious mental illness and the self medicating addictions that often result. The course of Bruce's life exposed the contrasts of both his God given talent and his genetically inherited affliction. Fortunately for him, he was able to pour his experiences into his work and create something that was timely for many reasons. He was wise to develop relationships that were constructive to his limitations. His choices for bandmates and Patti helped to create the trust and brought him the self confidence to push him through his rough spots. Revealing such a challenging mental illness is a difficult thing. Choosing to seek professional help, and being vulnerable enough to share that with his fans, I hope will teach others to do the same. Love on top of all of this can keep the beech tree soul alive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Born to Run?

His descriptions of growing up in an Irish/Catholic family surrounded by the church and its influences. The fact that he had a good mother in his life was especially fortunate for him. Too many have 2 parents that are unavailable and they slip away unguided and unable to survive on their own.

Have you listened to any of Bruce Springsteen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet. I certainly plan on doing so. I am also very glad that he did this audiobook himself. It takes on a different life when done by the author that a narrator could never grasp. I appreciate that effort very much.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Of course, when his father came to see him before the birth of his first child. That was an incredible gift he gave to Bruce. So incredible that he could find it within himself to give that to Bruce. So many are not capable to give that to themselves much less to those they love.
The second moment that I laughed until I snorted was the fishing trip he went on with his father. His description of his fathers outfit was so hilarious I could picture my own dad in the same thing. Thank you for that.

Any additional comments?

I know it took Bruce 7 years to write this book. Every single day was worth it. It is not easy to expose yourself down to bedrock as he did. Brian Wilson said that music saved him and it is clear that music and the love of people close to him is saving Bruce. Every day is a gift. I hope he enjoys each one.

15 people found this helpful

Riveting!

I like to listen to biographies of celebrities, and I have read and listened to many. Although I was a fan of Bruce Springsteen, his music didn't blow me over. I liked it, but I didn't go crazy over it. So when I started listening to this biography I thought that would like it.

He tells an incredibly riveting story of his life. He tell it chronologically. He is truthful about his family history, about his Irish/Italian upbringing in New Jersey. He is truthful but respectful of his parents marital problems and the mental illness that runs in his family.

The writing is compelling. His narration is powerful! The story of how he battled his demons to rise from poverty to celebrity, how he used that celebrity to improve awareness and advance support for Vietnam veterans, AIDS patients, racial tensions, etc, is one of the most honest and heartfelt and compelling stories I have ever heard. I have gain a tremendous amount of respect for the man, Bruce Springsteen. He has used his celebrity to shine a spotlight on injustices. Rising as he has from poverty to wealth and fame, he could have easily gone a different way, becoming self indulgent, self important, and pompous! Instead he valued his sobriety, respected yet cared for his band mates, and even strove to maintain a healthy long term marriage and made rearing 3 children his top priority. This was the most inspirational biography I have ever read!

14 people found this helpful

A Reflective Celebration..

One of the most satisfying audiobooks I've listened to. You will feel like you're having this intimate, long, endearing, happy, sad and inspired campfire story with Bruce; he pulls no punches along the journey and delivers with heart pounding passion..

14 people found this helpful

Such a relief that this was so good!

I have to begin by saying I'm a long time Springsteen fan - - I mean since Born to Run first came out - - and I was worried that the person I've listened to for so long would turn out to be a prima dona rock star. What a relief to find that this Jersey boy is still the blue collar poet, over-thinking, heart on his sleeve, gravel voiced, smart man that he is in the very best of his music. I was much more interested in what inspired his music and I wasn't disappointed. This is a great story of a regular guy who worked harder than most to achieve stardom. Good for the Jersey boy.

13 people found this helpful

A wonderful surprise

I bought the audiobook because I don't always love Bruce Springsteen's music and will little bit about his life and his social activism. What I found was a wonderful compelling story about a man his family and the times he lived in. He is probably Americas troubadour taking over from greats like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seager not just because of his music but because of his belief system and his view of our country. A rocker with the heart and the soul. It's wonderful that he read the book himself it makes it that much more of a compelling story.

13 people found this helpful

A dream come true

Listening to Born to Run was like having Bruce sit in my kitchen and talk. An amazing job, Boss!!!

12 people found this helpful

Absolutely amazing

What a guy, what a story he has to tell – and how he tells it! With humble admiration for earlier and contemporary legends, Bruce gives you his life story with surprising self-disclosure. Being a long time fan of his music I was certain to listen to his book. Especially since it narrated by himself. Having heard it I can absolutely recommend it to anyone irrespective of musical preferences. This is a story of total devotion, hard work and sacrifices in order to fulfill a dream taking shape in a young boy. I lift my hat and salute him, previous and current members of the E Street Band, there music, The Boss himself and this amazing audio book. No back to the beginning for one more go: One-two-three-four!

10 people found this helpful

Soulful, honest

A soulful, honest account of a flawed human being with an incredible gift and an even bigger heart. Well worth the 18 hours. Do yourself a favor and listen to the albums as you make your way through this journey with the one and only, our national treasure, the Boss, the working man's poet, Bruce Springsteen.

9 people found this helpful