Neil Diamond Is Forever: The Illustrated Story of the Man and His Music (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Neil Diamond is Forever... And With Good Reason”

“There’s a very spirited argument running through my head as to whether Neil Diamond is Forever should be published as a book critique or a music review. This beautiful hardbound monster of a book came in the customary brown mailing envelope and the moment it emerged from hiding, music began flowing through my head. Music more clear than any CD could possibly produce and more vivid than any photograph or painting. From the moment you open this volume until hours after its last page is viewed, Neil Diamond’s music will flow flawlessly through your mind…

“As each page turns you find a new image of a career that has spanned decades - and deservedly so. It’s a book that has to be read twice because you don’t want words to distract from the beautifully reproduced images and the music that can’t leave your mind. “I’ll read it after I check out more of the pictures,” you’ll tell yourself. Fat chance…

“And the story of a young delivery boy who made it good in the big city, and then the country, and then the world goes on from there, but it’s the pictures that make this book a worthy addition to any Neil Diamond fan’s collection.

“Jon Bream has done a great job of building this 8.5 x 11 inch hardbound collection and it is a testament to just how well the author knows his subject. Within its 160 pages you’ll find 225 huge color and 81 black & white photos leaving you with the impression that there can’t possibly be a single photo of Neil that isn’t contained in this volume. The story of Neil’s life and career is inspiring and noteworthy because of its many triumphs and its longevity…I highly recommend this book and it holds an honored place on my shelf.” - Blog Critics

“This book is a must-have for all serious Neil Diamond fans. Not only is it collector's item quality, it is loaded with never-before-seen photos of Neil and other memorabilia. The author provides a fair, accurate and meaningful tribute to the artist who has earned the adoration of life-long fans worldwide, much of which comes from the author's own interviews with Neil. It was a delightful and entertaining read, and a charming view of a career that has enjoyed exceeding success.

”The parts I loved the most were the quotes from Neil, the posters from Japan and Thailand, and the layout of the the memorabilia and quotes from Neil's peers. I caught myself laughing out loud at some of Neil's quotes. He DOES, after all, have a magnificent way with words, does he not?

”Rating for this book: . . . A+ . . . definitely a must-have for serious fans.” - I Am, I Said (Neil Diamond Message Board)

Product Description

In the world of pop music, no one compares with Neil Diamond, the most enduringly popular solo artist alive. This photo-filled book captures the glamour and grit of this singular performer from his early success to his latest chart-topping albums and tours. Illustrated with all manner of mementos and collectibles--concert programs and posters, 45 singles, and ticket stubs dating back to Diamond's 1966 hits "Solitary Man" and "Cherry Cherry"--the book features a full discography, as well as commentary from admiring musicians and those who've had hits with Diamond's songs (the Monkees, UB40, Lulu, Urge Overkill, and more).

At the book's heart is the story of Diamond's life, a narrative drawn from exclusive interviews the author conducted with the brooding, introspective, and somewhat mysterious singer-songwriter beginning in 1976. The result is the most complete and captivating portrait of this incomparable artist ever to emerge, one that captures and celebrates as never before Neil Diamond the solitary man and the superstar.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; First edition (October 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076033675X
• ISBN-13: 978-0760336755
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,557 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book worth cherishing by any Diamond fan., September 28, 2009

By	Jet Gardner - See all my reviews

As I said in my Blogcritics article...
There's a very spirited argument running through my head as to whether Neil Diamond is Forever should be published as a book critique or a music review. This beautiful hardbound monster of a book came in the customary brown mailing envelope and the moment it emerged from hiding, music began flowing through my head. Music more clear than any CD could possibly produce and more vivid than any photograph or painting. From the moment you open this volume until hours after its last page is viewed, Neil Diamond's music will flow flawlessly through your mind.

You are the sun, I am the moon, here are the words, you know the tune... read this.

Masterful fingers will continuously strum a blessed guitar and strings swell higher than an eagle dares to fly... and I hadn't even opened the damned book yet. Neil Diamond has an incredible talent for placing images in your mind intertwined with music and though sometimes after a period of years you may forget a lyric or two, the music lives on.

As each page turns you find a new image of a career that has spanned decades - and deservedly so. It's a book that has to be read twice because you don't want words to distract from the beautifully reproduced images and the music that can't leave your mind. "I'll read it after I check out more of the pictures," you'll tell yourself.

Fat chance

The next page always seems to have an image that brings up a long-lost memory that compels you to read its description. You find yourself carried away remembering your old 45 collection; deciding not to explain to your kids what a "45" is for fear of making yourself seem or feel too old just yet. Surprise'll catch you by the image of a Monkees single, then you read where young Neil was approached by Don Kirshner to submit some music for his new TV show. The pre-fab four's rendition of "I'm a Believer" originally began as a throwaway tune that was a little bit too "bubblegum" for Neil until he became rich overnight from it, setting up his financial freedom to record more masterful works.

And the story of a young delivery boy who made it good in the big city, and then the country, and then the world goes on from there, but it's the pictures that make this book a worthy addition to any Neil Diamond fan's collection.

This incredible artist began his career in a long-lost era when music was mostly delivered over three-inch transistor radios in mono laying face down on a beach somewhere. The only alternative was a single five-inch car dashboard speaker bouncing off of a flat windshield. To impress someone under that format was a feat in itself. It was a time when AM radio stations played the Mamas and the Papas, the Smothers Brothers, Steppenwolf, and Barbra Streisand one right after the other and never batted an eye. There were no synthesized instruments or stolen bits and pieces of other musical artists' work to hide behind. You usually only had no more than three or four minutes to sell your song because radio stations didn't want listeners wandering off if they didn't like what was playing at the moment... so that's all you had - a moment. If you weren't good you were relegated to that much-avoided category of "one hit wonder."

Jon Bream has done a great job of building this 8.5 x 11 inch hardbound collection and it is a testament to just how well the author knows his subject. Within its 160 pages you'll find 225 huge color and 81 black & white photos leaving you with the impression that there can't possibly be a single photo of Neil that isn't contained in this volume. The story of Neil's life and career is inspiring and noteworthy because of its many triumphs and it's longevity.

The only question still looming after reading the book concerns wondering why Neil hasn't been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet. The next time you go to a fireworks display and sing along with Neil coming to America you can ask yourself the same question.

I highly recommend this book and it holds an honored place on my shelf.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Book - Pictures alone more than worth the price!, September 29, 2009

By	S. M. Perko "Diamond Forever" (Minneapolis MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I still haven't read the entire book but being a Neil Diamond fan for over 40 years, I couldn't resist doing an advance order on the book. When it came I was surprised at how large it was (like a coffee table book) and then I casually flipped through the pages and about screamed with delight! The pictures throughout the book are phenomenal and, after 40 years of being a fan, even I was still blown away by pictures I have never seen! I also loved the pages toward the front of the book with remarks by other well-known in-the-business people praising the works of Neil Diamond. This book is DEFINITELY worth purchasing and, believe me, the price is very much a bargain considering the quality of the book. Someday soon I may even read all the text in it but for now the pictures are still being admired and worth taking the time to make the review! For the true Diamond fans, it's a must have; for those "thinking about it" -- go for it and you won't be disappointed!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Neil Diamond is..., November 6, 2009

By	Michael Greb "hermit" (Wheeling, WV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

...an American treasure! This book captures the vitality and power of one of our greatest singer-songwriters and concert performers! From his early days sharing concert bills with Herman's Hermits to the triumphal tour of 2008 depicted in Hot August Night NYC, this Diamond is still shining bright! This book is a look back and a view into the future...stay healthy Neil and they'll have to add Volume 2 in a few more years! This is a tribute book to the truly hardest working man in American music!