Customer Reviews

Days of Hope and Dreams: An Intimate Portrait of Bruce Springsteen

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1978 was a key moment in Bruce Springsteen's career, and Frank Stefanko was there to capture it in black and white. In these photos, you see a rock star breaking out, but still struggling and working his [tail] off. Stefanko had not even heard the Darkness album when he took the photos that would lead to its cover (and the cover of The River), but he captured the mood and the tone perfectly, of both the music and the musician. Even if you're not into photo books, if you have an interest in Springsteen, do yourself a favor and get this book.

I have never seen a book of this type where the pictures and text fit together so perfectly. But those are just the tangible things. This book seems to give you a look into Bruce Springsteen's soul -- such a deep look that you almost feel as if you're intruding where you don't belong. But as a fan of the man as well as the music, I can see why Bruce chose this photographer. The pictures show him as he wants to be seen. As I said, truly a most amazing book.

This is a wonderful book. The photographs are uniformly compelling and insightful, as is the text. The reader is treated to a rare, unvarnished glimpse of an American hero about to "burst like a supernova." The images are timeless, and harken back to a simpler, perhaps more poignant time -- before MTV and the Internet changed the way we obtained and enjoyed our music. The author's spare text is thoughtful without being intrusive; a perfect compliment to the compelling images that accompany it. The text conveys a straightforward warmth and appreciation for the author's subject that are both refreshing and inspiring. This is a book to pore over, savor, and return to. Thank you, Frank, for sharing your gift -- and thank you, Bruce, for recognizing his genius, and for allowing us a little glimpse of yours.

Frank Stefanko delivers an insightful and sometimes touching look into the creative process that produced the "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River" album covers. With a hearfelt introduction by Bruce himself, Stefanko's book features many images that Frank took of Bruce between 1978 and 1982. The most fascinating sessions were those taken at Frank's home in Haddonfield, NJ in 1978. Bruce wanted to visually capture the feel and theme of the songs he had put on tape recording "Darkness." Stefanko's text narrative that accompanies many of the shots makes you feel like you are in the room while the pictures are being taken. When Stefanko describes his elation at being able to photograph one of his favorite musicians, he does so with the same excitement as a die-hard fan. The book is not only a rare insight into the creative process, but also an inspiring story about a guy with a camera who went on to photograph his idol and have the results appear on two album covers. An essential purchase for any Bruce enthusiast! - Chuck Earling

Frank Stefanko's photos chronicle Bruce Springsteen from 1978 to 1982 -- pictures from small-scale photo shoots of "Darkness on the Edge of Town," "The River," and "Nebraska."

These remarkable photos capture the essence of who Springsteen was at that particular time in his life. A time when his musical career had just taken off, but he was still struggling with questions about his role as an artist, about who he was, and where he was going.

Frank Stefanko is undoubtedly a gifted photographer. Someone who was ideally suited and, dare I say, intended to take these pictures. There is a once-in-a-lifetime magic to almost every shot, for Springsteen was writing for and about characters just like Stefanko. Every note of Bruce's work embodies the sadness and hope of people learning to live with dreams found and lost. These photos get to the heart of those characters and this artist. Not surprising, since they were taken by a man seeing his world and his entire life right in front of him.

The second edition has just been released from a new publisher. It is now in hard-cover with a new dust jacket photo of Springsteen called "Bound." A greater treat is the actual cover which shows a wrap-around picture of Bruce and his 1960 Corvette. The text and photos are essentially the same. But the lay-out is cleaner and some of the photos have been cleaned up as well. The quality is superior overall, and the book should hold up better than the paperback. my comments from the first edition, below, still stand.

This book rocks! The 8o portraits of Bruce are sharp, edgy, and startling. Most of these pics have never been seen before. They are not mere snapshots, nor fuzzy stage shots. They are "in your face", large, clear, and with Bruce's "sharp eyes of truth" looking right at'cha.
They are accompanied by an affectionate and intimate narration by the photographer, Frank Stefanko. He chronicles his friendship and working relationship with Springsteen during those early "Days of hope and Dreams". A must have!

this is not only a book about an era in the beginning of the career of bruce, but a book about friendship as well. very nice photos. i recommend it to bruce fans

These pictures strike you like lightening...They are gritty and real. If you like Springsteen, if you want an insight into his early days, this is it. The stories told by the author (Stefanko), are personal and amusing. This is a book for the fans - not a lot of heavy reading. It's a fun ride in Bruce's front seat.

This book engrosses you from the moment you start reading you cant stop.I am giving this book to my clients and friends as it makes the perfect gift for Bruce Springsteen fans.I was also very moved by Authors tribute to his late wife Sheila and feel there may be another story there Frank ?

Just thought everyone would like to know that the cover photo was taken in front of Frank's Men's Hairstyling on Kings Highway in downtown Haddonfield, New Jersey!