Life of James Brown [Paperback]

Geoff Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008

This is the definitive biography of this extraordinary and controversial superstar, encompassing his entire life, until his death on Christmas day, 2006.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'It's some story, engagingly told.' MOJO'...a prime place to begin Brown nosing.' Record Collector

About the Author

Geoff Brown is a Mojo staffer and former editor of Black Music magazine who has written extensively on soul and R&B in the UK media during a 30 year career in music journalism. He is the author of books on Michael Jackson, Prince and Diana Ross.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846099587
• ISBN-13: 978-1846099588
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but actually a revised edition of a 10 year old book, February 4, 2008

By 

curtis martin (Redmond, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life of James Brown (Paperback)

This is a very good bio of James Brown, but it is being marketed in a slightly deceptive manner. This is actually a revised version of a 1996 book by Geoff Brown that was released under various titles (including "James Brown: Doin' it to Death").
But if you're a JB fan, this updated version is worth every penny, as it continues the story from 1995 up past the Godfather's death. And the "Warts and All" approach makes it a fine companion to Brown's 80s autobiography (also check out Fred Wesley's bio, "Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of a Sideman" for a good chunk of uncensored JB antics).

And even though the descripton on the back cover states that a "comprehensive discography" is included, this is not true. There is only a very minimal "Selective Discography." It is reprinted from the 1996 edition and is WAY out of date. Back in 96 it was meant to represent what was currently available, but many of the cd collections mentioned are long out of print (and quite expensive on Ebay). They would have done better to just leave the Discography out than to reprint one that is so useless.

Overall, however, an indispensible book for the true JB fan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, and insightful, August 2, 2010

By 

Mark S. Crawford (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life of James Brown (Paperback)

This is well written book about JB's life. The updated version includes narrative about the last days of his life, his death, and the aftermath of his death. Includes pictures, as well. This is a good read . . .

3.0 out of 5 stars Adequate But Rather Superficial, July 18, 2011

By 

James L. Desper Jr. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life of James Brown (Paperback)

This book reads like an extended MOJO magazine article - some details but little depth. Mr. Brown's career more than justifies an in-depth biography, but this isn't it. That said, this isn't a bad book. It's probably the best biography currently available, and that's a little sad. Adequate but rather superficial.