Customer Reviews

Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond: The Dawn of Pink Floyd

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent summary of Syd's bizarre and very entertaining life. It covers everything, from birth, childhood, teen years, stardom and the mental decline and everything after. The book keeps pace very well and there are no spots that lag or become boring; I read it in one day I was so entrigued. It tells you things about Syd that you couldnt find out otherwise, intricate details that are often ommited. It also features many interviews with people that knew Syd. There are several rare pictures of him in the book. This is a great picture of the madcap and his unique genius. Highy Reccomended.

Crazy Diamond: Syd Barrett and the Dawn of Pink Floyd is a good read for any fan of the original Pink Floyd and their madcap leader. The price of admission is very affordable -- you will get a lot of literary bang for your buck. Myths are mentioned and often dispelled, truths emerge, and obscure details from his youth prove interesting. The authors are not overly sympathetic of Barrett and his often self-destructive lifestyle; but, they neither are they harsh or cruel.

As the book progresses, one can easily see why Syd Barrett is one of the most interesting figures in all of rock history. My only real gripe with the book concerns the somewhat striking lack of written details from Barrett's post-Floyd solo era of his music career. This is somewhat perplexing, given the public fascination with his idiosyncratically beautiful solo efforts.

However, the rest of the book is well-written and interesting. I'd recommend picking this one up.

For his many fans, Syd Barrett's mystique can never be explained to satisfaction. But this book, at least, provides all the last clues we need to probe the mystery on our own. Also it explodes some of the negative rumors and exaggerations that cling to the myth of Syd. An exhilarating plunge into the mind of a genius!

A good, concise biography of Syd's rise and retreat from stardom. Not as detailed as Julian Palacios's "Lost in the Woods", which includes several excerpts from this book.

Sadly enough I finished this book only 2 weeks before Syd died and found it to be very informative and easy to read. Syd's story is by most standards a sad one, but for all we know he lived his life in the way he wanted it lived. R.I.P Syd.

An excelllent bio, although Lost in the WOods is more deep. Madcap is pretty light, with the interview with Syd at his home not copping to much

The revised edition talks about Syd's funeral and the news on Syd in recent years (that he might've gone to visit Abbey Road, that Roger Waters stopped the Crazy Diamond film being made, although a script was done for it; that Syd befriended the late Bernard White)

Read the book and play the Have You Got It Yet cds and you'll be set!

worth the read, especially if you're a pink floyd/ Syd Barrett fan and you want to know the truth instead of w/e crap is spread around online

Even though I am just starting to listen to the music of Pink Floyd, that does not mean I am not interested in reading about their work and its creators. Before Roger Waters and David Gilmore became celebrated members of Pink Floyd, there was Syd Barrett--the creative genius who was one of the band's founders. This short, yet concise biography paints a picture of Syd during both his early years and part of his reclusive era. Syd Barrett (born Roger Keith Barrett) was a painter, songwriter, and musician. He was admired by many for his creative genius and good looks. In 1968, Syd left Pink Floyd and embarked upon his solo projects. Many would say that he became burnt out from all the fame and pressure from his musical career. In the early 70's Syd became a recluse and started to express himself more through his paintings. His appearance changed over the next few years as many of his fans (and former bandmates) did not recognize him. It did not take long for a lot of people to notice that Syd had completely changed; he seemed to want to hide from the rest of the world. The book also includes quoted interviews from those who worked with Syd and knew him on a personal basis; interviews are always a bonus! "Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond" gives an inside view of the life and times of one of Pink Floyd's most gifted musicians.

i brought this book for my son & he tells me that it is a brilliant read, very informative & interesting.

It is amazing how Syd's legend is still such a fascinating and thought provoking story.
I was stunned way back in the Wake of the Beatles by Pink Floyd and The Piper Recording. I found the music almost shocking and I was really mesmerized by that album.
I was so glad to listen again to Syd's solo work and that first cosmic outing while I read this unique book and once again was captured by the sounds, spirit and sadness of a true Rock and Roll genius. A very good read indeed.