White Stripes - Sweethearts of the Blues [Paperback]

Denise Sullivan (Author), The White Stripes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

This engrossing book tells the tale of the Detroit duo who shook up the music world with their "candy-colored, gothic-coated world of melody, rhythm and storytelling." These unlikely-looking saviors reinvigorated the blues and blues-rock for a new generation. Writer Denise Sullivan relates The White Stripes' story with a keen eye for detail, a music lover's ear for influences and references, a fan's appreciation of the layers and subtleties, and a journalist's nose for a good story, with all its twists and curves, half-truths, and elaborate theories. Includes dozens of rare photographs, a full discography, and a song concordance. 7-1/4 x 9-1/4, 176 pages

Product Details

• Paperback: 177 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879308052
• ISBN-13: 978-0879308056
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #649,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Sullivan

More About the Author

Denise Sullivan has written on music for 20 years, in print and on the web. Her books are The White Stripes: Sweethearts of the Blues, R.E.M.--Talk About the Passion, and Rip It Up! Rock'n'Roll Rulebreakers. She's the Origin of Song columnist for Crawdaddy! http://www.crawdaddyarchive.com/ Her fourth book, Keep on Pushing: Black Power Music From Blues to Hip-Hop (Lawrence Hill Books, 2011), concerns 50 years of liberation music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Who is this book about?, April 12, 2005

By 

Little Miss Library (Westland, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: White Stripes - Sweethearts of the Blues (Paperback)

I love the White Stripes. I hated this book. I gave it two stars simply because it about the White Stripes and has a few cute pictures of Meg. This entire book reads like someone you know trying to show off about how much she knows about the music industry. After about page 50, you just want to scream, "I get it already! You know a lot about music. Please talk about the White Stripes now!" I got the feeling that the author didn't care about the band so much as just showing off her knowledge to a large audience. This is perfectly illustrated on page 85 when she is talking about the liner notes on De Stijl and closes a paragraph with the sentence, "I could elaborate, but I won't." It is the equivalent of a kid on the playground running around yelling, "I've got a secret," and refusing to tell anyone. The entire book seems like it was written because Sullivan wanted attention and for others to envy her knowledge of the Detroit music scene. The White Stripes seem to have little to do with it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book for fans by a fan..., June 11, 2004

By 

S. Pemberton "scarlett_echo" (Belle River, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: White Stripes - Sweethearts of the Blues (Paperback)

I read this book right through in a handful of hours over a two night span. This is the second book about the White Stripes I've read and I enjoyed this book immensely. Being from a suburb of Windsor, right across from Detroit all my life one would think I'd have a clear understanding of the music there and how being from Detroit impacts local artists. After reading Sweethearts of the Blues, I realized that I should have, could have and would have to delve more deeply into the music that impacted Jack and Meg White. I was quite surprised to find myself learning even more about the big city I can see from my window...
The book is a heartfelt tribute to the band, especially to Jack and a very entertaining read. I'm in my 30s with four children that all love the White Stripes and this is on my teen's "to-read" list also. The author approached her subject with warmth and heart and put many pieces of the Stripes puzzle together in a fast-paced joyful manner.
There is a strong coherent understanding of the power of the White Stripes' magic in this book. The undercurrent of appreciation for Jack and Meg shines through and it is a respectful, happy read.
It's a must for the Stripes' collectors and those who have a soft spot for Jack and Meg's work.
I recommend this book most especially to fans who have just been turned on the the White Stripes and want to know more.
My thanks to Ms. Sullivan for putting together a book that reveals a love for the music and the magic of Jack and Meg.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great rock biography, August 15, 2005

By 

W. Forbes (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: White Stripes - Sweethearts of the Blues (Paperback)

I bought this book because I didn't know much about the White Stripes and wanted to know more (including, to some extent, what the big deal is). I got a lot more than I was looking for, and am very glad I read it. In addition to the expected details of their biography, I had the unexpected pleasure of discovering our shared love of their influences. I have to say that understanding the links to their predecessors really helped me develop a lot more respect and understanding for the White Stripes. The book also provides an intimate history of Meg and Jack as well and the "scene" they matured in. Unlike many rock biographies, this book doesn't feel like an attempt to cash in on a band's popularity or shore up their celebrity mythology. Instead it is an honest analysis of individuals and their music by someone who clearly loves them - but is still capable of being objective when necessary.