Author:Jim Sangster
Martin Scorsese’s obsession with sin and redemption, conflict and violence runs through much of his work. This essential guide to Scorsese explores his career from his early student works, including It’s Not Just You, Murray!: through his personal examinations of his Italian American heritage in Mean Streets, Italianamerican and Goodfellas: the extreme violence of Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Cape Fear: and the religious themes – from a director who originally wanted to be a priest – of The Last Temptation of Christ and Kundun. Including all Scorsese’s films up to Gangs of New York, this is a comprehensive study of the work of this widely respected film maker. Also covering his influences, the controversy surrounding his films, exhaustive music lists and long-time collaborations, this is an extensive analysis of the most consistently passionate, committed and inventive film director of the last thirty years.
I cannot recall a book that so entertainingly lays bare the neediness, self-consciousness and weirdness of the professional comic's life. His one-liners are immaculate, too
—— Daily TelegraphSkinner is insightful, erudite and, naturally, funny when dissecting the craft of writing and performing successful stand-up comedy
—— EsquireHe manages to provide a fascinating insight into the world, and the insecure mind, of a stand-up comedian . . . This is a real, honest account of life on the road. And you can't expect more from a tour diary than that
—— ChortleQuite possibly the best book about stand-up ever written
—— GQA minor masterpiece
—— The GuardianOne of the most frank (excuse the pun), funny and best written books ever about being a comedian. Surprisingly brilliant
—— Dominic Maxwell , The TimesIt's f**king brilliant. The best book about stand-up I've ever read, hands-down. So, f**king well done, I didn't want it to end. Thank you and f**k you and congratulations. Great great great great
—— Jimmy CarrA fascinating insight into the world, and the insecure mind, of a stand-up comedian
—— Dennis LearySplendidly entertaining, reflecting on everything from eating a loaf to Shintoism and...sex.
—— Bournemouth Daily EchoThere are . . . completely honest admissions about his drinking, and laugh-out-loud accounts of his various fashion errors . . . Enjoy gleefully politically incorrect posturing and plain old-fashioned entertainment.
—— The ResidentClapton reveals all in this unflinching confessional.
—— IndependentA powerfully honest and very moving insight into the life of a rock legend
—— The Herald (Glasgow)Clapton bares his soul. Fascinating. It's an absorbing read, like you've been granted access to a mind finally coming to terms with itself.
—— The Sunday Tribune (Ireland)Difficult to put down
—— Sunday TimesClapton provides an orderly account of life in which all other considerations are secondary to the frequently selfish needs of The Artist'
—— GuardianGold-plated tales of sex, drink, drugs and fame and moments of musical incandescence.
—— Observer Music MonthlyA warm portrait
—— FT MagazineA harrowing and searingly honest book about the unreal rock star life.
—— Daily ExpressClapton lays bare his life story in this witty but also painfully honest autobiography. Compelling and accomplished.
—— Sunday ExpressA painfully honest insider's account of an age all too often portrayed as one long party
—— Daily MailA glorious rock history.
—— New York PostThis book does what many rock historians couldn't: It debunks the legend...puts a lie to the glamour of what it means to be a rock star.
—— Greg Kot, Chicago TribuneStrong stuff. Clapton reveals its author's journey to self-acceptance and manhood. Anyone who cares about the man and his music will want to take the trip with him.
—— Anthony DcCurtis, Rolling StoneClapton is honest...even searing and often witty, with a hard-won survivor's humor...an honorable badge of a book.
—— Stephen King, New York Times Book ReviewRiveting
—— Boston HeraldAn even, unblinking sensibility defines the author's voice.
—— New York TimesAn unsparing self-portrait.
—— USA TodayBoth the youthful excesses and the current calm state are narrated with an engaging tone that nudges Clapton's story ahead of other rock'n'roll memoirs.
—— Publisher’s WeeklyClapton is a confessional, an addiction memoir, and a glorious rock history rolled into one, with a smidgeon of guilt and, ultimately redemption thrown in for good measure.
—— New York PostClapton fills in many gray areas, recounting his highs and lows with a thoughtfulness often lacking rock memoirs.Methodically he whittles away at the larger-than-life rock god until a vulnerable, messed-up mortal emerges...Clapton is an absorbing tale of artistry, decadence and redemption.It's also an important reminder of the guitarist's imprint on rock music, as a sideman, solo artist and bandleader.Not bad for a blues snob from Surrey.
—— Los Angeles TimesClapton: The Autobiography does what many rock historians couldn't: It debunks the legend, de-mythologizes one of the most mythologized electric guitarists ever, puts a lie to the glamour of what is means to be a rock star...It's a cautionary tale that spills over into tragedy several times as love, lives and talents are all wasted.
—— Chicago TribuneLike the bluesmen who inspired him, Clapton has his share of scars...his compelling memoir is... a soulful performance.
—— PeopleCharming and surprisingly candid.
—— Entertainment WeeklyAbsolutely brilliant
—— Daily Express