Product Description

Pete Doherty, erstwhile singer with The Libertines, is a British icon. Whether he is playing impromptu gigs in his front room or performing at Live 8, he possesses a sense of drama and expectation not seen in a performer since Sid Vicious. He is enigmatic, charismatic and thoroughly entertaining. Since leaving The Libertines, his life has become something of a rock 'n' roll soap opera where rumours of crack addiction abound, gossip about his relationship with Kate Moss is rife, and predictions for his future vary wildly. Written by Alex Hannaford, former rock and pop editor on the "London Evening Standard", and with a brand new foreword by Pete's mum, Jackie Doherty, this is the definitive biography of Pete Doherty.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28898 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Sunday Times
"By far the more revealing about Doherty's background and his calamitous affair with Kate Moss."

From the Publisher
Groundbreaking, revelatory biography of the singer, poet and icon who transformed the British music scene

About the Author
As a former rock and pop editor on the London Evening Standard and as a freelance writer and author, Alex Hannaford has interviewed scores of bands and solo artists over the past twelve years. In his spare time he has managed a successful US rock band, driven tour buses, worked as a talent scout for a major label, sung in bands, and even - at times - seen his house turned into a hostel for homeless musicians (much to his wife's annoyance). He has written for the Guardian, Evening Standard, Loaded, Best, Big Issue, Dazed & Confused and Bizarre, among others.

Customer Reviews

Paints a bad picture of Pete
This book is not in line w/ the spirit of Doherty or the Libertines, it paints a dark, sordid, lurid, and boringly fantasized image of Pete--- any fan can tell. Can't beeelive Ms. Doherty authorized it. Not worth reading, particularly for the younger fans. The only thing i gleaned from the book was the Pete does not wear underwear, Carl hates the Smiths, Pete sleeps naked, Lisa called the cops on Pete, & the rest is either standard knowledge of any libs fan or entirely made up.

The Master of the Quote.
Alex Hannaford is clearly the master of the quote. I don't think he conducted one interview with the actual subject of the book, preferring to simply pick out chunks of 'Kids in the Riot', by Pete Welsh - incidentally a far better read. The author seems to be biased towards Pete, and doesn't give a objective view of the relationship between him and the man he formerly shared frontman duties with, Carl Barat. Simply stating that Carl failed to turn up to one of Pete's gigs when in fact Pete had organised it on Carl's birthday and quoting some of the nastier things Pete had to say about Carl, which no Libertines fan wants to read. The only thing I can find in favour of this Pete Doherty/Libertines book (and I've read most of them) is that it doesn't build up the tension too much and simply states what happened (a band split) but for most fans of Pete and The Libertines it was a great deal more than this, and it kind of adds a drab atmosphere to the entirety of the book. A poor collection of quotes, few interesting snaps of the band/Pete, and even the foreword by Pete's mother is pretty uninspiring as she's basically saying what she's said on countless radio and TV programmes. I wouldn't recommend.

A genuine look at Pete
This is a great book for fans of Doherty and everyone who is just interested in him. The writer has written a book that lets you see Doherty through the eyes of people that really knew and still know him. I found it a fascinating and genuine read and would thoroughly recommend it.