Customer Reviews

Take Me Home: An Autobiography

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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As an avid John Denver fan because of his music and message, I felt obligated to read his autobiography. Although it's a darn shame this book isn't in print anymore, it lives on in libraries and survives via used book sellers here on amazon. It was well worth the wait to find a copy.

John kicks it off telling a little about his parents, how they met, what they did for a living, and where they came from, which explains a lot about the way John looked at life, but I'll let him explain that in the book.

John even tells the reader about the "gamble" he took when he dropped out of college to pursue a folk music lifestyle in California, which he really captures well through his unique writing. He writes about his early and lifelong mentors and about his own personal backlash against the music industry which was caused by a lack of trust in some of those guiding him. He does however, give immense praise to Milt Okun and Hal Thau, which is good to read.

The reader will even learn about the simple approach John almost always took to his songwriting, and how he views some of his songs today. You get a nice view of the social unrest in the country at the time as he makes reference and talks about how the war in Vietnam, EST, and Macrobiotics made their way into his life. Later on, John talks about the Reagan years, changes in the music industry, and changes in his family.

In all honesty, this is one of the most genuine and honest autobiographies I have ever read. He openly admits his flaws revolving around his family life but it's also very cool to see how optimistic he was towards the end of his life. The book itself is very solid, has some rare and touching pictures of John with others, and includes a Discography at the end of the book. I don't just reccomend this to John Denver fans, I recommend this book to anyone, even my age group (I'm in college), who wants to learn about the unique journey of this country through music, pop culture, family, and overall optimism.

Maybe its just coincidence, but the final words of the final chapter in his book say a lot about how prophetic John Denver was in everything he did... he starts off with lyrics to a song he wrote....

"And I lay in my bed and wonder,
After all has been said and is done for,
Why is it thus we are here
And so soon we are gone."

The final words then read,
"I'm not home yet, but I'm getting there."

Well said John, and thanks for your great vision and outlook on life.

John really opens up here. For an entertainer to be as candid about himself as he is here...and there's a lot to be read between the lines as well...is very unusual. The reader gets a glimpse of the "back stage" John Denver. For all his laid-backness, he was extremely tough on himself, his own worst enemy, forever with a monkey on his back that demanded success and respect despite the lack of support he got from those who were most important to him. Self critical yet so caring, indeed his life was structured around the pursuit of approval. He bares his soul, admits to personal inadequacies, showing the reader that besides being the voice for all of nature, he was just a human being as well...a person who stumbles from time to time while attempting to do what he thought was best.

I listened to the audio book which is read by John while he sat on his deck at his home in Aspen. He prefaced his reading by warning the reader/listener that from time to time there might be the sound of a plane taking off from the nearby airport but that there would also be the sound of a stream and some windchimes hanging nearby. Indeed there are those sounds in the background. Together, with his voice it makes for a very intimate setting... just you and John, sitting on his deck, enjoying his story telling one more time in what probably was one of his favorite spots. A very nice feeling to be with John again.

This book is a must-read for those who hunger to learn about the human side of a man who, in the 1970s, captured millions of hearts through soaring music that celebrated life, love, and nature. The story shines a revealing light on John Denver. It's most interesting that he's holding the flashlight himself. What he paints is a picture of an honest and earnest, sometimes sad, man who loved music, life, his children, the earth, and his fellow man. He doesn't whitewash problems he experienced, but the reader also learns of the great environmental and humanitarian works that went largely unnoticed during his lifetime. When you close the cover on the last page, you feel as though you know the man. Now, that's what makes a good autobiography!

I remember the first time I heard John Denver sing in one of his TV specials when my son was still a baby, now 30 years ago. I was sure he would remain a major star. His obvious singing skill and message with heart were, and remain, a winning combination. Unlike many of his avid fans, somewhere along the line I lost track of what John was doing as the years went by. I was shocked at his early death, but unaware at the time at the enormity of his contributions on so many fronts.

Recently I came across several songs of his I had never heard before. I was enthralled, touched and saddened that so much of his work had escaped my notice for so long. The songs seemed so haunting. My immersion in the scope of topics, and what the songs revealed about their originator, brought me to a mild state of shock. I found myself embarrassed and guilty not to have taken the full measure of fruits of his extraordinary efforts seriously before.

Needing more information about the man, to flesh out true intent of many of his works and learn more about his dreams, I found only 1 autobiography in the entire Washington, DC library system. Subsequently I found there were only 7 in the Montgomery County, MD, system. I was sad and disappointed to find so little has been written about him....

His autobiography reveals the huge amount of courage John brought to many of his efforts, and in revealing the less flattering facts and deeds of his own life. In many ways the words in the book are a fuller extension of what he has already given voice to in his songs.

How is an artist made? Many strong feelings and experiences of childhood and adolescence can give rise to the need for artistic self expression, especially when other outlets are difficult. Beginning with his boyhood and family relationships, John talks about the feelings and events that lead to his own use of the guitar and songwriting as a means to self expression, finding friends and relationships, and making the contributions he was so driven to make.

John discusses the development of his musical career, while trying to balance marriage and the many issues with which all adults must cope. He describes the fabric of his many victories, losses and frailties in both his personal and professional life without shrinking from unflattering facts. We are given a rare view into how an artist translates the complexity of his thoughts and feelings into a communication to which others can relate. Often the most poignant moments in John's life led to his strongest and most striking compositions.

It is rare that anyone relates such a brutally honest examination of his life and his dreams as in this book. I now have a much deeper understanding and appreciation for John Denver the man, his music and the environmental causes to which he gave so much time, effort and financial support. It seems to me he may well have sacrificed a great deal to be able to give so much to the rest of us. In the end, it remains up to us that remain after him to carry on the work he so poetically outlined and gave his life to.

What's missing? Like John's life, this autobiography ends too soon. I hope someone will write more details about what John was doing in the late '80s and '90s. We have few in the Baby Boomer generation who have contributed as much as John Denver, without the acknowledgment he should have had during his lifetime. Only five years older than me, his life begs the question of each of us, asking what have we contributed and what will live on after each of us?

This enjoyable and candid autobiography by Denver is a good overall view of his life. I personally would have preferred it if he had emphasized his musical and film career a bit more, and he could have easily done so by cutting some rather tedious digressions such as diet and psychotherapy techniques. Oddly, he also had little to say about his second wife and the children he clearly viewed with affection. But still it's a good balance overall, and fun to read.

In view of his squeaky-clean media image, some people find his flaws a shock, in particular his free use of marijuana and alcohol and his inner turmoil manifested in conflicts with wives and father. Yet the positive side of Denver prevailed through his inspiring music and social activism. His well-known efforts in environmental protection, ending world hunger, and promoting peace are amply detailed here. Upon finishing the book one knows John Denver well, and he seems a likable guy after all.

Anytime an individual takes the risk of putting so much of his personal life on paper for all to read, he is to be commended. Although I first came to admire John Denver in the early 70s for his music, it was his work later as a naturalist, environmentalist and advocate for children that will remain with me as well. After reading his book, I had a better understanding of the events in his life that may have lead him in this direction. A look at his video self-portrait will also help fans learn more about him and the thoughts behind some of his most popular hits.

I opened the book expecting to learn more about the heroic qualities of a man who had given us songs about peace, searching for truth, loving the earth, and loving each other. Naively, I wanted to see John Denver as a hero; someone who had passionately searched for answers and found some of life's important truths. His music, especially during his heyday in the 70's, led me to that expectation. Instead, I closed the book feeling cheated; like his music didn't really tell the whole story. His image of a squeaky clean country boy who thought that his wife ("Annie's Song") and the majesty of nature ("Sonshine on my Shoulder", "Rocky Mountain High", etc.) were the most "far out" blessings in life was in conflict with the very confused, lost soul who failed in many of his relationships and never really found his balance. He wanted to make the world a better place for children, yet he failed to recognize that this starts at home. By his own admission, he was hardly a model father and played a very small part in his own children's lives. His songs made us feel that love was the most important thing of all, yet he didn't really know how to love, constantly cheating on his wife and failing in two marriages and many other business and personal relationships. John Denver created beautiful, inspiring music. And he poured much of himself into causes like the environment which he felt were important. That is noble. But after reading the book, I was left with a greater sense of the tragedy of his life than of its glories.

From 1978 on I was a fan of John Denver, not because he was hip, not because he was dazzling, but because he was genuine, honest, and straight-forward. What I loved about his music and what I loved about his live performances is it was not a show. It came from the heart. This autobiography is just like his performances, it hides nothing. It is difficult to name autobiographies that paint an ugly picture of their author. I think people misunderstand how this book was written as much for John as it was for us. There is a lesson to be learned here about what works and doesn't work in living life. I am thankful to John for sharing with me what doesn't work. I learned from reading this book. I played his songs when I came to chapters that the songs coincided with. For such beauty to be created in the midst of a normal, flawed, human life, "it amazes me!"

Think about your life story, all the stuff you did you are proud of, and all the stuff you did you are ashamed of. If you could imagine allowing everyone in to read about it all, then maybe you can begin to appreciate what it took to write this book. Remember he published this before his death.

If you loved the man, you should read this book to know the false front he put on, and the dark face he now reveals.

God bless you, John.

This is a great book. I read it and used it as one of my cited resouces in a 9 page report on the singer. Denver writes honestly of his life. Sadly he died as most of us know on October 12, 1997. There are somepeople who think or thought he was a god. This is simply not true and this book shows you the real man. The man who did far more than his part through out his life. The best way we could remember this special normal everyday man, is to teach people who to respect the environment.

Even though he has yet to get any respect in newspapers we shouldn't fight the useless fight to get him more respect. Even though I admit that he does deserve a whole lot more credit and respect. We need to follow his example and stand up to protect the environment and to stop world hunger.

We miss you dear friend. We were lucky to have you as a teacher and role model. Rest in Peace.

As a child of the 70's I waswith him from the start and Ican't believe people think hewas a GOD . I loved him as mychildren do now. He was a well known person who had a special gift of music and compassion for all. But he was human and his life ws not always his to do with as he wanted, he belonged to the world, and the world made a lot of demands of him. He gave all and we always wanted more. I cherish him and his music, I listen to it frequently I never tire of the upbeat and even the sad songs.He represents to me a little of us all not just one man.s life, I too have made mistakesin judgements and I always refer to the Phrase "Judge notlest ye be judged". In my book on the last page I entered "John Denver flew home at 5:PM on Oct.12,1997 We willmiss him but his spirit is forever flying in the blue skies and our hearts.