Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography (Paperback)

~ Lesley-Ann Jones (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This biography aims to deconstruct the myths surrounding Queen's lead singer and provide an intimate portrayal of Freddie's life and death. From his birthplace in Zanzibar to his final home in London, the author interviews the key people in Mercury's life.

About the Author

Lesley-Ann Jones was the Daily Mail Rock Correspondent; she toured with Queen and forged a firm friendship with the band members.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Coronet Books (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340672099
• ISBN-13: 978-0340672099
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #521,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible book, March 22, 2007

By	Denise P (DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Horrible book
Where do I start? This was just bad, disorganized and about 400 pages of supposition too long of more then 575 pages. It was painful to read because it was so poorly written and the author tries to create interest with speculations and embellishments. The author also falsely implies that this writing is the official unofficial biography of Freddie Mercury when it is not.

The author falsely claims to have gotten inside info from Freddie's camp including Queen Band mates. She even provides acknowledgements in the book for Brian May, Roger Taylor, Mary Austin and even Freddie himself when she never spoke to any of them. The author writes in the book that she wrote letters to the surviving member for input and Brian supposedly was the only to reply with, sorry can't help you.

At the beginning of the book, the author boasts about what you'll soon find out like, you will see that Freddie did this, this and this..........etc. What you'll really find is more speculations and hearsay.

She goes on to write that Persians are the most successful individuals in finance, this, this and this, etc. And it is only Persians that have accomplished this, this and this, etc, which adds another 10 more pages of space filler. This info also looks exactly like the Googling info on the web.

The author takes the reader on this long drawn out journey and makes a big deal out of traveling to Zanzibar to get a copy of Freddie's birth certificate (Why do we need his birth certificate?), only to add a lot of spin and speculation as to why an original or copy can't be found (Could it be someone stole it and sold it, or is someone hiding something, etc? More space filler). The author reports to the reader, I'll tell you more about this later (Please don't). It's a non-issue which accounts for 20 or so additional pages of conjecture and space filler.

The author also adds a lot of drama about having gone through monsoon type weather to get to a school near Bombay where Freddie attended. These 2 occurrences seem to be the only "getting up off her behind research" the author ever attempted for this book.

Following the visit to Bombay the author completely skips over several years of Freddie's life prior to Queen's existence (apparently there were no books available regarding those years she could copy).

The author then proceeds with taking quotes and excerpts of prior existing interviews and other author's books about Freddie or Queen for the next 400 pages and adds her own opinions in between. Such as, a woman who is left by a man for another man can feel better then a man leaving her for another woman, etc. This kind of thing accounts for about 75% of the content of the book. "Freddie Mercury The Definitive Biography by Lesley-Ann Jones", is a waste of money, time and its lazy journalism.

There are some small pictures (about 5) of Freddie as a pre-teen to mid-teen while in school near Bombay or Zanzibar. Pictures are not dated and are all black and white. Other small photos include a photo of Queen and one of Freddie with Mary. Another supposedly at Freddie's 45th birthday party. If accurate this would be about two months before his death, He actually looks nice in a tuxedo with close friends around.

I bought this book to learn more about Freddie because he was an outstanding human being. All members of Queen are fine indivduals but Freddie seemed to have had many more obstacles to overcome to achieve such outstanding success in his short life time.

Even though Freddie was quite private in his personal life this book still could have brought so much more to the table but chose to take the reader on a wild goose chase, repeat already documented information and add the authors own opinions to events she had never witnessed.
Honestly, any organized person (You or I) could have written a better book about Freddie.

Don't buy this book; I'm trying to save you the agony. Freddie fans wouldn't like it even if it was free. At a $1.00 rummage sale, this one should be put back down.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good to the Last Page, September 16, 2005

By	Rosemarie J. Odom (Frisco, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Feddie Mercury fans will love this book. Many aspects of his life and brilliant character unfold in this wonderful book - actully made him just a little bit more human. Friends, fame, glamor and money - he enjoyed them. Yet, it is so unfortuneate that his last days were spent so alone having to "hide" his very visable illness.

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Haven't Read the Book But..., April 21, 2006

By	Fred H. (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography (Hardcover)

....I have a question. Why does this book cost $340?