Customer Reviews

Life of James Brown

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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 It is reprinted from the 1996 edition and is WAY out of date.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.

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 . . .

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.