Customer Reviews

Taxi: The Harry Chapin Story

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had no idea that this book existed, so being a die hard Chapin fan I snatched it off the shelf when I saw it. While an interesting read it could have used a bit more polishing. Learning more details of Harry's story songs was a positive, as was learning what really turned his personal life around. His music always moved me, but I was more touched to learn that the efforts to save his marriage was why he became such an effective activist. It did seem a bit overlong at times, however, and Coan's refusal to even mention 'the widows' name as he slammed her in the introduction seemed mean spirited. If he had told us a bit more as to why there was a fallout between them it would have been more constructive. Still, if you loved Chapin's music, as so many obviously did, and do, it's a worthwhile read.

There was a lot of controversy surrounding the release of Taxi: The Harry Chapin Story. For a variety of reasons, the book lost the support of Harry's family. Accordingly, the book was rushed to print and appears to have missed having a final round of editing done, as there are typos throughout. However, it remains an extremely valuable source on Harry's life -- providing insight into many of the stories beyond the songs, and telling tales about the events that shaped the life of the man able to write songs like "A Better Place To Be." There are factual errors in the book, and it is likely that some events have been embellished. (It's easy to see how this could happen given Harry's own proclivity to fib for the sake of telling a great yarn and given the fact that the book still hadn't been finally reviewed by Chapin before he died.) Nonetheless, the book is an extremely interesting read providing great insight into the life of Harry Chapin; just be sure you take everything with a grain of salt.

I bought the book because I knew my brother liked Harry Chapin. Before I gave it to him I casually thought I'd read it. I was amazed by the man. It is a great read if you know his music. I did not at first but have since bought all his CDs and read the book again. It is even better the second time around. Buy it if you can. At least ask for it. They may reprint it. Every Chapin fan should have it. Thanks

This is an excellent writing, it traces the life of the world's greatest story teller. From birth in 1943, to his tragic death in 1981, no man ever did more for the society in which he lived, than Harry Chapin. Peter Coan tells the story well. From the good times to the bad times and back to the good times, its all there. It shows the man, as well as the myth, that is Harry Chapin.

Harry Chapin lived his music. From the heartbreaks of his life came such beautiful songs as TAXI and SHOOTING STAR. He gave of himself to any orgainzation that needed a helping hand, and was an unparalleled troubadour. A must for fans who want to know the stories behind the music.

To anyone who remembers the music industry of the 70's (or anyone who has read Harry Chapin's lyrics, for that matter), the fact that he wasn't always faithful to his wife will come as no great surprise.

Those reviewers who feel the book treats Chapin's widow, Sandy, unfairly puzzle me, however. In fact, Coan portrays her as the main catalyst for the humanitarian efforts which would become Harry's focus.

Sadly, immediately after Harry's death, Sandy Chapin abruptly ended her friendship with the author and attempted to legally block the release of this book and claim ownership of the author's extensive notes, recordings and other research. It is only here that Coan describes her in anything less than a fully objective light. (And who can fault him for that?)

No, Chapin wasn't a saint. Few men have come closer to being deserving of that title, however. This is an exhaustively researched and fascinating book. It has the "ring of truth" throughout, and it is must-read for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating musician and humanitarian who was taken from us far too soon.

If you love the man and his music, you will undoubtly enjoy this book, blemishes and all, about one of the greatest humanitarians that ever lived. Read it, and keep the change!

If you are a Harry Chapin fan this is a must read. Even if you aren't a Harry Chapin fan, you just might be after reading this account of his interesting and amazing life. This is not a puff piece. This shows Harry for what and who he really was. It was one of the few books that I have ever read that was hard for me to put down after I had read for awhile. His early life and tragic death are clarified. Some of the later chapers are a little dull when it goes on in too much detail about his charitable works. However, overall, I rate this as a 5 star book.

Must reading if Harry Chapin music was a part of your life. An inside story of his life from New York city to the hills of New Jersey. Hey the guy was not perfect, either was his music and thats why we loved him.

I attended Harry Chain concerts 3 times in the 1970's and came aware just blown away by the love and the power of his presence. He was one in ten million. He had that rare ability to connect with each person - both individually and in a group. It was a seminal experience one rarely experiences in musical concerts. Words do not come close, but this book captures some of this and brings it all back. If you've been to a concert likely you would have connected with his passion for life passion for people. As correctly stated in this book, for some reason, this quality hardly if ever seemed to get transferred to his studio recordings. When he died in 1981 I cried because all the joy of those concerts, the feeling of being alive and part of something extraordinary came rushing back. Reading this book for the first time in December 2008 brought all this back again and added more dimensions to the man- Harry Chapin and how he grew into the person he was and why he was such an advocate for the human race. I too found a few factual errors, but they were minor and took away nothing from the read which for me was a lens into the life of a man much admired as a personal hero to me, but for me whom I knew very little about his upbringings - until this read. For me the book felt totally unbiased factual in nature. It did not come across as attacking the family to me as a couple of the reviewers here indicate. My only regret is I would have liked for Peter Coan to have portayed more details on the feeling of being at a Chapin concert from the prespective of his wildly dedicated fans, more road stories, going into further depth on his intimate relationship in concert especially around the NY, NJ area. The lines between performer and listener became non-existent. It was a group participation experience. Where else would you hear several hundred fans scream "Harry it Sucks" at the precise moment in a song (multiple alternate endings to 30,000# of bananas) with love and have Harry smiling back? And I will never forget that beautiful sunny day at the Meadowlands racetrack in NJ siting on the grass infield next to the racetrack for the price of admission with thousands of others listening to Taxi Reprise for the first time! Thank you Peter Coan for a great book, thank you Harry Chapin for living your life as you did - always 100%, the ultimate humanitarian. If you've ever enjoyed his music, and wished to know more about what made Harry tick, what forces shaped his life, how he came to be, this is an excellent in depth book. If you've ever enjoyed him in concert, this is an absolute must read.