Product Description

A series of new, original and provocative essays on the music, myth and meaning of The Boss Bruce Springsteen is an institution unto himself. Over the course of a career now in its fourth decade, he has earned one of the largest, most intense followings in all rock 'n' roll. He's selling more records and concert tickets in his fifties than he did in his twenties. Yet even after millions of record sales and thousands of concerts, there are still essential question about his music that fans continue to ponder. How did he become the only first-rank rock 'n' roller not to fall apart? How has he maintained his integrity and his audience over all these years? What makes him different, unique? Guterman, an accessible and entertaining music writer has been writing about Springsteen since the late '70s. In this book he delves into dramatic moments from every phase of Springsteen's career, looking deep into the music, the man and culture at large to deliver a nuanced portrait of The Boss, which both new fans and long-time followers will find compelling. You don't have to be a Springsteen fan to enjoy this book, but you might be when you're finished. Runaway American Dream is a series of pointed, provocative and surprising essays about Springsteen and his music that focus on the work and the times that created them. In his introduction, Guterman will cover Springsteen's new album, Devils & Dust which is released this April, bringing the book completely up to date. The Boss is marking the album launch with his first solo tour since 1997, including a total of 18 dates across Europe.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97799 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Jimmy Guterman is the author of five books about rock 'n' roll including 12 Days on the Road and Rockin' My Life Away. He has written for Rolling Stone, Esquire, the Boston Globe and Wired. Born and raised in New Jersey he lives in Massachusetts, USA.

Customer Reviews

One for the fans.................
This book is not one for Springsteen virgins as a fair knowledge of his work is required to fully enjoy the individual essays. The author, to his credit, accepts this premise and places the various Springsteen releases into a social and historical context as well as explaining how the records affected him as a listener. This could have become an overtly scholarly exercise, which has frequently been the case when other people have published critiques, but this book has a lightness of touch which makes it easy to digest. I didn't agree with everything that was said but the various chapters did make me listen to the subject album again. I think this may well have been the aim and if so it succeeds well enough.

Given the recent release of the Springsteen DVD, "Storytellers", in which Bruce explains his intent behind the songs, this book provides an insight into other side of the Springsteen experience. Buy them both if you like a balanced approach.

Jimmy Gets It Just About Right.
Although quite short in length I thoroughly enjoyed Jimmy Guterman's Runway American Dream. I found myself agreeing with about 95% of his opinions on Springsteen's songs.
There could have been a wee bit more said on the likes of "Backstreets" "Jungleland" and "Racing in the Street" but that's only because they are my personal favourites.
Its not one for the casual fans as he does cover every album up until Devils and Dust.
Overall a good read for a rainy day but at the same time not revolutionary.