Customer Reviews

From Grand Funk to Grace: Authorized Biography of Mark Farner

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Having read this book, which I really enjoyed, I must say that I am impressed with Mark Farner's honesty. Seeing the word "authorized" on the cover of this book, my first thought was "Great...here's another one of those books where everything is someone else's fault, etc." However, I have to say that I am totally blown away by how much of his soul Mark Farner bared in this book. He shares so much detail about his life, his admitted mistakes, etc. (both public and private) that there will never be any need for an "unauthorized" biography. Amazing! Definitely worth reading.

Anyone who has even the slightest brain cells remaining after 1969 and the festivals of the summer of love, know who mark farner is! This savage samite singer of the Shea stadium legendary performance and the lighting bolt that charged Grand Funks shows and albums( yeah , vinyl)was and is stratospheric in his approach to audience participation.You knew from the start of the song , until the last tune , that you were on a laser bound for the heart of rock and roll.This biography does exactly what i would expect from a Mark Farner project, piss you off while chuckling at his brashness.The book is a personal look at the formative relationships of family and the tragedy of losses that took their toll on the young athlete turned musician.A fond recall of the days of yore and how they impacted him. The unheroic flight from armed services via any means possible, even so far as to appear gay or drug addicted. Reckless youthful pranks of every variety and mayhem.A all too normal background in Michigans industial envirement and it's root beliefs, rowdy being the norm , not the exception.The salvation by the music of the era that sparked the drive that possessed the man and the boy to follow an uncertain and unmapped future to rock's shaking shoes , where the glass slipper is always a foot away from royalty, and gold and silver come a in vinyl gem.The drug culture is alive and well in this storied testament to youthful endurance and luck, not to mention miraculous recoveries.The famous co-horts in pranks and mischief are no less than Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, unforunate examples of the excess of stardom that leads to a free fall without a net.The success of the power trio phase of grand funk is enlightening , but too limited for my taste, more telling of the concerts would have thrilled me since i was at many of them and they were wild and untamed events that were by any ones account, intense!! The differences that lead to the demise of Terry Knight as leader of the pack( no pun )and the ill advised premature dismissal of the master of mean.The book covers a lot of the basic root questions about the historical Funk and the sequences of events that followed that are pretty common knowledge to any one in their 40's or 50 's, the exception being mark's stress related illness.The Don Brewer betrayal is somewhat of a controvery that like the Terry Knight fiasco is relative to your view of the situation and the sentiments for each side , they both lose as i see it.The Christian phase of Marks life is interesting in many aspects, the least of which is his view on the world order and gun control, draw your own conclusion.Mark is blessed with a bountiful resource of friends and a very loving and devoted wife. The children are very dear to him and his relationship with his child by an affair with a touring female is touching and sad, evidence of his need to right a wrong.The book comes with a CD that has 5 songs on it of previously unreleased material and some good new stuff.I think Mark Farner has done something that is beyond his stint in the rank and file of Grand Funk, he has found the reward of spirit and virtue that so many rock stars so dearly and desparetly failed to find.Mark Farner " the rock patriot" is truly akin to our great country ,Red ,White and Blue,our hopes and freedom depend on you,amen.

I loved this book! I thought it was very well written and told Mark's life story perfectly.

I was fascinated to read stories about his family life and past history (very interesting!) When I heard that a 'biography' was being written about Mark, I thought....excellent!

I want to know about his childhood, likes and dislikes, etc. and this book covers every aspect of his life. A page turner, with each paged filled with funny facts and breath taking details based on Mark Farner's life. Now and then!

It was all that I had hoped it would be. Very insightful, lots of great information for Farner Fan's! Things are written in the book, that fans would never know.... like Mark's love of aviation and he gets up each morning at 3:AM!

Great old photos, rare and many never seen before. Very Entertaining reading.....
and the CD is just wonderful! I love the song 'Glory Bound' an EXCELLENT bonus with the book.

I highly recommend this book and CD. A must for any Mark Farner fan!

The book,From Grand Funk To Grace: The Authorized Biography Of Mark Farner,is long overdue.As a reader of biographies of achievers, I enjoyed this book immensley. Kristofer Englehardt obviously researched his subject in some detail and it shows in the quality of this book.Each chapter is a story in itself and gives the book a nice flow.I especially enjoyed the tales of Mark's non-Grand Funk activities and the fact that so many people were interviewed and allowed to give their insights into an obviously complex person.This is a must read for any Farner/Grand Funk fanor if you simply want to read a well written book about a rags to riches musician that managed to maintain his sanity,his heart and his dignity. Well done Mark. Well done Kris!

FROM Grand Funk To Grace is a dream come true for anyone who is a Grand Funk fan, a classic rock fan, and a reader who loves to read about people who believe in themselves. Not only does Farner truthfully spill the beans on his past, present, and future, but he has been lauded along the way by numerous other peers in his field. It's too bad that Funk drummer Don Brewer didn't seem to want to take part in this book, as it would have made it the ultimate handbook for classic rock. However, from legendary guitarist Dick Wagner to Eddie Van Halen and even Funk's own Craig Frost, one can't deny the impact of Farner's life, career, and legendary status based on the stories, the IRS problems, and Farner's own unique vision and positivity. Englehardt nailed a great document, one that will be passed along from music lover to music lover for generations to come. Long live Farner and the Funk...

As a teenager in the 70's, Grand Funk was my favorite band. I had posters on the wall, all their albums that I played at full volume over and over much to my parents protests, went to see them in concert as often as possible (still the best I've ever seen live and I've seen a few bands since). When I heard about Mark putting out a biography, I was excited! Finally some questions answered, some secrets told! I could not wait to get my hands on this book! Even more then the GFR story written so well by Aunt Bee, yet told so little about the band. The interviews I read in Goldmine were more informative then that book.

I will say from the start, I liked the book yet have to agree that it did skip around too much from present to future to past. I sometimes had to stop and go back a few paragraphs or pages to see where in Mark's life we were. Yet, it was interesting, insightful and did answer a few of my questions about a person I had admired for so many years. His childhood, losing his father, how he matured and grew as human even after GFR had broke up.

I did read some of the other interviews before writing mine, and it upset me that so many people are calling him a draft dodger and being unchristian like. If Mark were my son, brother, cousin, friend, lover I would've told him to do the same thing at that time. So many men were killed or came back emotionally or physically scared because of a war we had no business being in. This does not mean that I don't admire the men that went. They are brave heroes and deserve the respect we give to all veterans of any war. I respect his decision to do what he did, and I do believe he is a true Christian no matter what. Everyone goes through changes in their lives. I'm sure there are many draft dodging, Christian people living in this country.

Back to the book. Mark tells only a little dirt in this book, nothing really big. Most of it has been written about before, but the insights from other people were the best. The roadie stories made me laugh out loud. To any one though that thought the story of sweet sweet Connie was how GFR lived their lives will be disappointed that these guys didn't party as much as you would've thought, but there are hints that they may have imbibed a little in the Rock and Roll life style of the 70's.

In some ways Mark's life reads as a part semi-happy childhood, to an 'overnight success' to an almost sad ending, to a man who seems happy and content with his life...finally!! He over came major obstacles in his life, waged his own professional and personal wars. Much of this is told with grace mixed with tears and a few laughs. He makes no excuses for his faults, such as his addiction to pot or some of the 'partying' he did. No matter how you feel about Mark, you have to admire that.

What are missing from this book is interviews with Mark's ex-wife, and Donna Hall, whom he lived with. Would've been interesting to hear their views on the time they spent with Mark. It was very one-sided.

I do recommend this book to any hard core GFR fan. It has good pictures and good stories on one of the most unrecognized musical influences of the 70's rock era.

I know Mark Farner and Kris Englehard personally, so I was very happy to hear of this book in its early stages. After reading it, I was even more pleased that Kris and Mark managed to get so many interesting pieces of Mark's life out there for us all to digest. An appetizing meal of rock bravado, foolishness and intrigue and an interesting look at a Rock Star with talent and values. Form Grand Funk to Grace is a cool book and I even get a mention in it. Congratulations guys..

A wonderful timeline account of the rags to riches story of the engine that drove Grand Funk to top of the music world in the early 70's.Mark Farner is not your typical rock-star.He is a man's man who even though he made millions,had fame,and many tests and trials through shady managers and agents and IRS troubles,has today kept his feet on the ground and lives a righteous existence through his born-again faith.Today Mark is a rock-patriot,spouting values from our forefathers and living a life through Christ.He does early Grand Funk songs,Christian,and positive-message music at his shows.The book tells how he came from humble beginnings,many humorous tales of growing-up experiences,and his musical influences as well as many never before told stories of life with Grand Funk Railroad.Included are many never-published photos of Mark's life.A must have for any serious fan.

I purchased Mark Farner's authorized biography, From Grand Funk To Grace by Kristofer Englehardt a couple months ago. I found the book very informative and well constructed. I especially enjoyed the stories from Mark's childhood as well as his "searching" for, and finding his salvation.

I enjoyed reading about Mark's family life as a young boy growing up in Michigan, and later, with the band we have all grown to love, Grand Funk Railroad.

For those who love a good "love story", there is one tucked away in the book as well. I particularly enjoyed reading about the love of Mark's life, his wife, Leisa. Their story is truly a testament to their love and committment to one another.

Upon finishing the book, I was able to see what it took to make Mark Farner the man he is today! It's is a great story and certainly well worth the time to read.

Thanks to Mark Farner and to the author, Kristofer Englehardt, for a well thought out and presented story! Great Job!

Lisa Harris

i ordered this book from mark`s website and found it one of the most detailed rock biographies ever.you get the whole span of mark`s life.also,the bonus cd that is included is absolutely fanastic.i don`t believe that it comes across as bashing don brewer.maybe,the guys should settle their differences and let bygones be bygones.