Product Description

Bob Dylan has always regarded himself as a songwriter: ‘I am my words,’ he wrote in 1964. Distilling a lifetime’s passion and study, leading Dylan author, Clinton Heylin charts the development and first moments of genius of this unique artist whose songs changed the world. From his first attempts at writing, Song to Bridget, in 1957, (apparently for Brigitte Bardot) Bob Dylan always aspired to poetry, yet his role as a writer rather than a performer of his own songs is often overlooked. In over fifty years of creativity he had penned some of the most iconic, and perfect, songs in popular history. Arriving in New York in 1961, the city had an enormous impact on the young artist and, as he established himself amongst the folk clubs and artists, he would produce songs that spoke for a whole generation: Blowing in the Wind, A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall, The Times They Are a Changin’, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, and ‘Forever Young’. In Revolution in the Air Clinton Heylin recounts the story of each song as it is written, giving a full appreciation of the songs themselves as well as Dylan the emerging artist. Unlike any other book on Dylan, it charts his rise as a writer, where he gained his inspiration, the burst of energy which produced some of his most famous songs as well as the lesser known stories behind the more iconic verses. This is an essential book for anyone interested in Dylan and his place in literature. Informative, opinionated, packed with new insights and revelations, this is an instant classic. Praise for Clinton Heylin: “The only Dylanologist worth reading.” - The New York Times. “Arguably the world’s greatest rock biographer.” - The Irish Independent. Bob Dylan Behind the Shades – take two (2000) “The most exhaustive, balanced and intelligent account of Dylan’s accomplishments that anybody is likely to provide.” - Mick Brown, Daily Telegraph. “This epic portrait could hardly be bettered.” - The Independent.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12063 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 498 pages

Review
"The only Dylanologist worth reading." - The New York Times.

"Arguably the world's greatest rock biographer." - The Irish Independent.

"The most exhaustive, balanced and intelligent account of Dylan's accomplishments that anybody is likely to provide." - Mick Brown, Daily Telegraph.

"This epic portrait could hardly be bettered." - The Independent.

"Beg, steal, borrow ... a compelling history of Dylan s mercurial songwriting" - Mojo, 5 star review.

"Valuable resource" - Observer.

"Already has the critics singing its praises" - The Herald.

"Another epic work from Heylin" - Ham & High.

"Terrifically interesting for Dylan nuts" - Sunday Herald.

"Manna for completists" - Metro

"A gripping new book by Dylan scholar Clinton Heylin so is so far in the deep end that its borderline insane . . [yet] has been devoured with a ravenous, insatiable appetite, and I have even made notes in the margin."- Mark Ellen, Word.

"A magnum opus that anyone curious about, fascinated by, and devoted to His Master's Voice will want to read and ponder." --Jonathan Cott, author, Dylan, and editor, Bob Dylan: The Essential Interviews

`A gripping new book by Dylan scholar Clinton Heylin so is so far in the deep end that its borderline insane . . [yet] has been devoured with a ravenous, insatiable appetite, and I have even made notes in the margin.' --Mark Ellen, Word

"A magnum opus that anyone curious about, fascinated by, and devoted to His Master's Voice will want to read and ponder." --Jonathan Cott, author, Dylan, and editor, Bob Dylan: The Essential Interviews

Review
`A gripping new book by Dylan scholar Clinton Heylin so is so far in the deep end that its borderline insane . . [yet] has been devoured with a ravenous, insatiable appetite, and I have even made notes in the margin.' Mark Ellen, Word

Review
"A magnum opus that anyone curious about, fascinated by, and devoted to His Master's Voice will want to read and ponder." --Jonathan Cott, author, Dylan, and editor, Bob Dylan: The Essential Interviews