deleted user 06.06.2005 13:25 |
Does anyone know a good book to read about the band? One that gives you an idea of what the band members are like personally. Thanks |
brENsKi 06.06.2005 13:30 |
there isn't one.....and the reason is - there isn't a single book where all four members endorsed the writer and gave actual interviews |
deleted user 06.06.2005 13:31 |
ok...any good book relating to Freddie? |
brENsKi 06.06.2005 14:59 |
Freddie would be the one with the most inaccurate and startlingly bad books written about. there's nothing truly authorised so it's all shit try fan websites for decent honest write-ups |
Fairy 07.06.2005 14:01 |
I think the most honest books on Freddie are those written by Jim Hutton and by Peter Freestone. That's what I heard. But I never read either. |
doremi 07.06.2005 14:17 |
I happen to like "Queen The Early Years" By Mark Hodkinson. For a book that is NOT authorized by the band, nor has any interviews with the 4 members of Queen..it is surprisingly free of tawdry/tabloid material and a very affectionate book. From the comparisons I have made to the information in this book, with fan and press information, it seems fairly accurate or at least as much as can be without access to the band. It is very informative and insightful to the earliest days of Queen, and written with much esteem and regard for the band. I like it alot nd often re-read portions to refresh my memory or compare it to what others in the press or fans have to say. |
Penetration_Guru 07.06.2005 15:12 |
Wasn't As It Began authorised by all four? |
doremi 07.06.2005 15:35 |
Penetration_Guru wrote: Wasn't As It Began authorised by all four?I never read AS It Began. Is it any good? That seems to be out of print in the USA as is BOTH Jim Hutton's book and Peter Freestone's book. I can say in defense of "Queen The Early Years", (which is the ONLY AQueen book I have been able to find in print in USA book stores) that, I forget, it's either in Mark's (the author) Forward, or Afterward where he specifically tells you the reader, that HE TRIED to get Authorized access to the band.. ..and he TOLD QPL ( I guess Jim Beach or Queen's publicist) that he would ONLY write a book that WOULD be affectionate, and written with regard and attention to accuracy, which he could better do if they cooperated wih him... ...and Queen still refused his authorization, interviews, access. It's all in the forward/afterward..whichever. I think Hodkinson seems like a good egg and hey, after Queen told him to get bent when he TRIED to do the right thing...he could have gotten pissed and written a tabloid tell all in anger. I think he is a first class guy and author...still writing a NON tabloid book that is pretty darn accurate and affectionate...without any cooperation from QPL or Queen. |
KillerQueen840 07.06.2005 16:03 |
I think the Freddie Mercury biography by Peter Freestone is definately one of the best books I've read in a while. It shows more of what Freddie was really like. But, as you read it you just need to keep in mind (even though it is loaded with facts) that it is his personal view of things. |
Lisser 07.06.2005 22:23 |
I got Freestone's book and Jim Hutton's book off ebay both for around $10. BUT it took a lot of time and patience. How I finally got them was to bid in the last minute of the auction. Crappy of me I know but it worked. They are both decent books but written very differently. I've read them each a couple times. |
Scott_Mercury 07.06.2005 22:33 |
Lisser- Please explain how the books are different. |
Fenderek 08.06.2005 03:47 |
Freestone's book's good. EARLY YEARS is brilliant. AS IT BEGAN has its moments, it was written by Jacky so with some bands input, but... it's not the best... |
Serry... 08.06.2005 06:40 |
"Queen and I. The Brian May Story." is good as well, IMO |
doremi 08.06.2005 11:42 |
Serry... wrote: "Queen and I. The Brian May Story." is good as well, IMOI have never heard of this one. Did Brian write his own autobiography, or did he have someone write it with and for him? Also year it was published? |
Serry... 08.06.2005 12:21 |
Arlene R. Weiss wrote:Laura Jackson wrote it. 1994 year. It contains a lot of exclusive interviews, some good photos (for instance, Brian in school with short hair, wow!). As I know it authorized by Brian. Very good book, IMO, as well as Lesley-Ann Jones' "Freddie Mercury. The Definitive Biography".Serry... wrote: "Queen and I. The Brian May Story." is good as well, IMOI have never heard of this one. Did Brian write his own autobiography, or did he have someone write it with and for him? Also year it was published? "Queen and I - The Brian May Story" by Laura Jackson Published by Smith Gryphon, 1994 ISBN 1 85685 099 4 (paperback) ISBN 1 85685 062 5 (hardback)" |
Lisser 08.06.2005 14:06 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Lisser- Please explain how the books are different.As you can imagine, Jim Hutton's book goes in to some personal details on he and Freddie's relationship, how they met, what they did for fun,how they spent holidays together, etc. There are many sections on how Freddie spent his birthdays, his shopping habits, where he liked to vacation, etc. The book also explains what was going on in Garden Lodge while Freddie was in the dieing process and right up until he did die. Peter Freestone's book jumps around a bit. You almost have to read it twice to know where you are time line wise. It is not very chronological. Peter goes in to detail about the foods Freddie liked, the types of people he liked to surround himself with, how it was hard for him to trust othersm etc. Peter also tells how he and Freddie met and how he came to work for Freddie. He also reveals some details about how it was in Garden Lodge while Freddie was actively dieing. Many people do not like Jim Hutton's book bc they feel it gets too personal and some things are revealed that maybe should have remained between Freddie's close friends and family. It's up to you guys if you like it or not. I just decided I'd like to read it and judge for myself. I did like it and I'm glad I read it. It doesn't affect my liking for Queen's music. The only emotion I had coming out of reading the book that I didn't have going in reading it was kind of a disgust for Mary Austin. Jim Hutton is very polite about it, but basically he wants the reader to know that she was anything but nice in the days after Freddie died. He claims she gave everyone that lived in Garden Lodge about three days or so to grab their belongings and find another place to live. Mary has never released a book and probably never will so we don't know her side of the story. One thing I am pretty sure about is that Freddie cared deeply for Mary, so I am sure there is another side to this story. Mary obviously did what she did for some reason, that is if she even did what Jim Hutton refers to. Peter Freestone does not comment on this in his book. He doesn't address Mary at all except for how much Freddie loved her and how close they were. He never says one cross word about Mary. Jim doesn't either but you can certainly read between the lines in his book. In short, they are both good readings. Check them out but keep in mind that what you are reading is just the author's interpretation of what went on. We all know how that can affect things. |
Fairy 09.06.2005 03:29 |
Has anyone ever read the Freddie biography by Rick Sky? It's the only one I've read...It is decent but I don't know if it's any good compared with the others. Fairy |
RohemianBapsody 09.06.2005 03:36 |
Lisser wrote: I got Freestone's book and Jim Hutton's book off ebay both for around $10. BUT it took a lot of time and patience. How I finally got them was to bid in the last minute of the auction. Crappy of me I know but it worked. They are both decent books but written very differently. I've read them each a couple times.Not crappy of you Lis, as this is the best method of keeping the price down. |
Fenderek 09.06.2005 04:26 |
Fairy wrote: Has anyone ever read the Freddie biography by Rick Sky? It's the only one I've read...It is decent but I don't know if it's any good compared with the others. FairyIt's absolute crap, I'm afraid. The guy just amde up what he didn't know. The stuff about dave Clark being with dying Freddie or the fact taht Freddie when came to England didn't speak english... It's terrible. And how can you close a book with a quote from Dani Minogue...??? |
deleted user 09.06.2005 08:08 |
Freddie is mentioned in the book: "cooking for starters" I can really advice that one. |
Vad 09.06.2005 14:21 |
I've been waiting for years the release of Peter 'Ratty' Hince (Queen closer and most loyal crew member) book about life on tour... does anybody know if this one is already out there? |
Serry... 09.06.2005 15:57 |
Vad wrote: I've been waiting for years the release of Peter 'Ratty' Hince (Queen closer and most loyal crew member) book about life on tour... does anybody know if this one is already out there?According to his site - no. |
My Melancholy Blues 09.06.2005 16:12 |
The books I usually read are "Queen Live A Concert Documetary" by Greg Brooks and "The Early Years" by Mark Hodkinson. And besides I sometimes read "The Definitive Biography" by Laura Jackson. |
deleted user 09.06.2005 17:04 |
Amazon have Queen books that are over priced. |
Fairy 10.06.2005 07:43 |
Fenderek wrote:LOL! I'd better get me a more decent one then...Fairy wrote: Has anyone ever read the Freddie biography by Rick Sky? It's the only one I've read...It is decent but I don't know if it's any good compared with the others. FairyIt's absolute crap, I'm afraid. The guy just amde up what he didn't know. The stuff about dave Clark being with dying Freddie or the fact taht Freddie when came to England didn't speak english... It's terrible. And how can you close a book with a quote from Dani Minogue...??? Fairy |