List Price: $36.00 Details

Save: $2.16 (6%)

FREE Returns

FREE delivery Tuesday, January 3

Arrives after Christmas. Need a gift sooner? Send an Amazon Gift Card instantly by email or SMS.

Select delivery location

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

As an alternative, the Kindle eBook is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app.

[{"displayPrice":"$33.84","priceAmount":33.84,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"33","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"84","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"%2BaWJuKlRzVDGcLh6UDwgY3LD7qYDOgSl372M%2B8pW6njNGv%2F47IZKCmt%2FP3Qp0mZ9aVbriYLB4WV1JqlrKQD5HCQHiXVZtrPDLIaPmVH9Fd5BdcfQTmaCN4TBVKQPsXfDINk6BsePEDmGinrHNSCY9p6rDJs5Rc0690aR31PxJ1aZWQs1nZ4m6bnosxBmEN%2BQ","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$9.96","priceAmount":9.96,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"96","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"%2B2Gvx8kyQIiiNfdbKk4tgfO%2BuB5juemxleNBo1kOazLwdcmFKt196hrJB1VnJB7IR37z1A0EvTo2%2BJwVGEjDHvf9RVuWfaD58z2SWYN55UIclWGizN1NLpRzIEoTWLPCA0CNK1LU4KPU5iU2w79FqiJPUZk9t%2B%2Bwfl390TMIgDddVdv6h7kUs2pVy%2F7II%2ByP","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$33.84 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

should buy

Details

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

should buy

Return policy: Returnable until Jan 31, 2023

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Wednesday, December 28 if you spend $25 on items shipped by Amazon

Arrives after Christmas. Need a gift sooner? Send an Amazon Gift Card instantly by email or SMS.

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Zippy Goods

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$29.84
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: SuperBookDeals--

Added

Not added

$36.00
& FREE Shipping. Details

Sold by: Amazon.com

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 3 images

Follow the Author

Paul Trynka

David Bowie: Starman Hardcover – July 18, 2011

by Paul Trynka (Author)

258 ratings

3.8 on Goodreads

1,601 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$13.99

—

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$33.84

$29.00

$2.13

Paperback

"Please retry"

$23.77

$20.91

$16.01

Enhance your purchase

"Ziggy Stardust," "Changes," Under Pressure," "Let's Dance," "Fame," "Heroes," and of course, "Starman." These are the classic songs of David Bowie, the artist whose personas are indelibly etched in our pop consciousness alongside his music. He wrote and recorded with everyone from Iggy Pop to Freddie Mercury to John Lennon, sold 136 million albums, has one of the truly great voices, and influenced bands as wide-ranging as Nirvana and Franz Ferdinand.

Paul Trynka illuminates Bowie's seemingly contradictory life and his many reinventions as an artist, offering over 300 new interviews with everyone from classmates to managers to lovers. He reveals Bowie's broad influence on the entertainment world, from movie star to modern-day icon, trend-setter to musical innovator. This book will define Bowie for years to come.

Print length

544 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Little, Brown and Company
Publication date

July 18, 2011
Dimensions

6 x 1.44 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

0316032255
ISBN-13

978-0316032254
See all details

Frequently bought together

+
+

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

by Paul Trynka Hardcover
$33.84
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by should buy and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jan 3
by Tony Visconti Paperback
$10.88
Usually ships within 6 to 7 days.
Ships from and sold by Book Depository US.
Get it Jan 4 - 10
by David Buckley Paperback
$20.30
In stock.
Usually ships within 3 to 4 days.
Ships from and sold by Book Depository US.
Get it Dec 29 - Jan 5

Wendy Leigh
213
Paperback
44 offers from $1.48
Benoît Clerc
82
Hardcover
27 offers from $27.00
Nicholas Pegg
518
Paperback
32 offers from $20.62
David Buckley
288
Paperback
19 offers from $6.71
David Bowie
142
Hardcover
12 offers from $41.16
Victoria Broackes
820
Hardcover
22 offers from $46.07

Editorial Reviews

Review

"British rock journalist Paul Trynka considers at length the Startling androgyny that made Bowie a defining human being of the 1970s....this book feels close to definitive....many moments in David Bowie: Starman made me lean forward with pleasure. "―Dwight Garner, The New York Times

"British rock journalist Paul Trynka captures seemingly every glitter-god pretension and Lycra outfit, interviewing scores of friends, bandmates and detractors. The result is the most complete and compelling portrait of Bowie's life ever assembled."―Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

With extensive research, a well judged reappraisal of the work, and an impressively nuanced approach to the drives that have motored the many lives of David Bowie, Paul Trynka has delivered a sharp, elegant and convincing volume on the man that brings freshness to a familiar story.―Mark Paytress, Mojo

Truly definitive... Trynka's second successive exemplar of the rock biographer's art.―Ian Fortnam, Classic Rock

Something special...The book includes interviews with those who know Bowie best, from childhood friends to those working most closely with him today....This is a terrific book, and readers will be rushing to relisten to the artist's back catalog. Not to be missed.―Bill Baars, Library Journal

"Rich in observations from the collaborators and lovers [Bowie] burned through with roughly equal ruthlessness, the book is thorough enough to satisfy all but the most obsessive acolyte."―Chris Klimek, Dallas Morning News

"Paul Trynka's new book, BOWIE: STARMAN, ...a deeply researched and closely observed accounting of Bowie's life and career. Sure, there's plenty of sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll anecdotes. But Trynka takes us well beyond all that rock-star stuff and digs deeply into those peculiar confluences of gifted musical personnel and roiling creative juices that have produced Bowie's oeuvre."―Mark Baker, Paste

"Trynka hews to Bowie's own narrative...the author's musical credibility is unquestionable. For the rock fan, pop-culture junkie or curious passerby, there's plenty to be entertained by."―Maureen Callahan, New York Post

"Drawing upon more than 250 new interviews with friends of Bowie and on previously published interviews with Bowie, former Mojo editor affectionately chronicles the life and music of Bowie from his childhood and youth to the high points of his career, his recent heart attack and almost total disappearance from the music scene...Bowie, in Trynka's hands is a man who has never settled for the predictable."―Publisher's Weekly

About the Author

Paul Trynka was formerly the editor of Mojo magazine (1996-2003). He has also been the editorial director of Q magazine, launch editor of The Guitar Magazine, and editor-in-chief of New Projects at Emap. He is the author of Iggy Pop (Broadway 2007), Portrait of the Blues, and Denim, a history of the fabric. He lives in Greenwich, London.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (July 18, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316032255
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316032254
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.87 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.44 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,433,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,344 in Rock Band Biographies
- #5,058 in Rock Music (Books)
- #11,094 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
258 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Paul Trynka

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

5 star		72%
4 star		18%
3 star		5%
2 star		4%
1 star		1%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Honora McDonald

Hunky Dory

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 15, 2014

Verified Purchase

Having for some reason settled on this of all the myriad Bowie books out there, I think I did well to choose it. The author is clearly fond of his subject, or at least he gives that impression, and for a reader who really didn't know a whole lot about David Bowie's history, this is a glib and more than superficial overview. Maybe there's stuff that is trivia overkill, but that's fairly minor. The big problem I have with it is that the songs are not discussed in any great detail; I would have greatly liked to have been given considerably more information as to where the songs came from and how they were sent out into the world. Though Trynka seems to have had access to a good few members of Bowie's circle of friends and co-workers, he never got to talk to the artist himself, or at least that is the impression I got. And a bit of personal insight from this incredibly gifted artist would definitely not have come amiss.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Staci126

Extremely detailed for Bowie Lovers

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 11, 2011

Verified Purchase

I loved this book. It has so many details from the entirety of DB's career and life. Probably a realistic portrayal of DB--not always flattering, but seems honest. For those who love DB (and I don't know who else would read the book...) there are lots of details about the writing of different songs and albums, which was really cool. The book gives an interesting view into the process by which he writes albums/songs. If you are reading it out of a general interest in rock music, it might be more detailed than you want, but I think it's a great amount of detail. I'm really glad I bought it so I can read it again and again. Discography is great too.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Shakey Jones

Very good

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 11, 2012

Verified Purchase

Starts off a bit rocky as almost all rock biographies do but once it gets rolling it doesn't stop. Beautifully executed by Trynka and constructed with amazing interviews, opinions and technological greatness that will leave you replaying all of Bowie's greats over and over again with newly opened eyes. Goes into great detail and really shows Bowie for who he is--a master musician, songwriter, and inspiration for the arts. If you love music, history, technology and sociology this book has it all. It shows the extent and impact of Bowie's albums and persona on the world and if you weren't a fan of his music before reading this book you will be after.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazan User

Star Man is Mortal and Wonderful

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 15, 2014

Verified Purchase

As a massive Bowie fan, this was amazing to me. So much work and detail put into a controversial man's life. I always saw Bowie as the Star Man but this really humanized him for me in a beautiful way. Loved all the images and the story of him and his family. I don't read biographies either. Ever. Unless I have to, but this one I picked up on my own and had no problem carrying around with me to read. Loved it so much!

Helpful

Laura Post

The One & Only Amazing David Bowie

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 13, 2013

Verified Purchase

I actually purchased this book for my boyfriend for his birthday. I have only skimmed through here and there and have been patiently waiting to borrow it from him.
He absolutely loved the book, and found it to be so interesting & informative.
David Bowie is the most multi-faceted person ever!
Highly recommend this book to anyone who's lived in the rock era!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 22, 2013

Verified Purchase

I mist out on Bowie as a kid living out the back blocks of the waikato.
Now I am a huge fan.

Helpful

Scattered Facts

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

I've read articles on David Bowie which had similar things to say but slightly different. So this book is close to the things I've read though maybe not exact. It gives you a little insight from people who knew him at different periods in his life. I wouldn't call it an exact count of his life since he had no part in writing it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

MB

Fantastic book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 21, 2011

Verified Purchase

Entertaining, inspiring and comprehensive. The beggining is somehow critical with the singer, but, as it advances (and Bowie developes his unique art and style) the writer aknowledges the amazing talent Bowie has, his true genius.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Ms. Lindy Lou

Rock, roll, sex, good hair, phenomenal music, fashion, fame, stars and moon dust!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 6, 2019

Verified Purchase

Superb book, totally took me on a journey of a life fully lived. Swept away with facts, locations, stories of how the music was created, the inspirations, the people involved, good times, difficult times, funny and awe inspiring moments. Quite hard to read about some of the more troubled times, but then follows the elation of a lighter more successfull moment. Been inspired to check into the songs after reading about how they came about and watch the performances online. Been close enough to visit some of the places Bowie grew up, the music shops he visited, scenes in photographs and the music, oh the music that keeps on giving and inspiring. I just read the end today, I knew the ending, we all know the ending, Bowie knew the ending. I lost someone close to me the same week the world lost Bowie and another person not long after and the grief is real. I blubberd on the bus. However I have all these musical references to revisit, songs to uncover, performances to relive and music to learn. The gifts the Starman left behind to keep us company. Rest up Sir until we all meet again. May your moon dust sparke, glad to have experienced a lifetime with you in it. Enjoy!

9 people found this helpful

North Yorkshire

Creativity and performance energy don't come across in a biography

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

I like Bowie's music - my brother was a big fan while I was growing up.
This is a reasonable biography - covering his early struggles and his later stardom.
The central problem is how to capture creativity and performance in a biography - he just comes across as pushy and selfish. This maybe true, but also seems a bit unfair.

He seemed to pay his musicians badly and clearly saw himself as the a star with supporting cast - but maybe it just was like that.
There is something here about his treatment of his brother - some of his family felt he could have been more helpful. Again, who knows.
I liked the bits in Berlin with Iggy Pop. But I'm not sure biography is the best way to capture what is most interesting about Bowie.

One person found this helpful

R. Howard

An incredible biography of the cultural icon that is (and was) David Bowie.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Paul Trynka genius as a writer is he is able to get to the heart of who David Bowie was as cultural musician icon.
The scope of this book is incredible, with Trynka getting his material source about David Bowie not just from close friends and music industry people who were close friends and worked with Bowie; Trynka also gets material from family members as well. So this book is actually one of the most in-depth and personal books EVER written about Bowie.
There are some aspects of Bowie's discography you may not appreciate from Trynka's descriptions, for example, I thought that Trynka writing about Bowie's 'Black Tie, White Noise' album had completely lost the point about this incredible Bowie album, so you may find his comments based on personal preference.
This will not spoil your enjoyment of this book though, because as I have said before,this book is incredibly well written.

2 people found this helpful

perko

Gets under the skin of Bowie and his times

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 29, 2016

Verified Purchase

I've had this for a while in paperback and have just downloaded the updated version...I'm sure, following Bowie's tragic death there ill be a further update.
It is well-written, informative and gets under the skin, not only of Bowie but of the times in which he was living. It moves at a brisk pace and, having a number of books and articles about Bowie, this is the one that, for me, brings him closer to life than any of the others. It is well-researched and clearly written from a position of knowledge - and understanding - of Bowie's rise from Ziggy....

2 people found this helpful

G. P. Hale

Well documented but too documented

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

If you're a Bowie disciple this may turn you on, but I did find it too documented to the point I was skipping paragraphs. I don't want to know everything about everyone involved in Bowie's life. But a lot of work has gone into this, so credit to the writer, but I blurred my vision on many occasions.

One person found this helpful

See all reviews