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68th out of 411 books
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305 voters
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Five Against One
by
Kim Neely
From a veteran Rolling Stone writer comes the definitive biography of one of the world's most popular and enigmatic bands -- from their early days as fame-ducking grunge pioneers, to their headline-making battle with Ticketmaster, to their current status as self-assured survivors. At the core of the book is a compelling portrait of the band's reclusive leader Eddie Vedder,...more
Mass Market Paperbound, 384 pages
Published
April 1st 1998
by Penguin Books
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I'd never read a book about PJ so I wanted to read this as it seemed to fucus on the early part of the band, which it did for the most part.
The first part chronicles all the various projects future PJ members had and I found that part very interesting. The whole 'Seattle scene' and how it came about is well documented and the author seemed to be there thru all of it and all that is easily the best part of this book.
But obviously her insider status ended in about 1991 and...more
The first part chronicles all the various projects future PJ members had and I found that part very interesting. The whole 'Seattle scene' and how it came about is well documented and the author seemed to be there thru all of it and all that is easily the best part of this book.
But obviously her insider status ended in about 1991 and...more
AnitaDurt
rated it
Recommends it for:
pearl jam fans or former fans
Recommended to AnitaDurt by:
Daddy-O gave me this book
Pearl Jam was one of my favorite bands and if you play the songs for me i promise i will sing along. But, geez, i had no idea about them as individuals or the drama of them as a band. i vaguely remember the Ticketmaster controversy, but overall i think i was too young to understand the politics around their superstardom and the subsequent "anti-star" stance Eddie Vedder took in the media. i guess i was more interested in the music. I did get to see pearl jam a few times- bridge sch...more
I read this while I was on vacation last year. Actually, it was the very first biography I read voluntarily!
I think Kim did a really great job with the information, especially considering the elusiveness of the young Ed Vedder, and the band's early days.
If you're a big fan of Pearl Jam, I would recommend this.
I think Kim did a really great job with the information, especially considering the elusiveness of the young Ed Vedder, and the band's early days.
If you're a big fan of Pearl Jam, I would recommend this.
A little too focused on the personal lives and not enough on the actual music. I like there to be an even split in my musical biographies. It's a little out of date at this point too, but for a fan of Pearl Jam this is a very enjoyable read.
Great book following the band Pearl Jam. More of a band autobiography than any one member. I love the band so I loved the book, but I wouldnt expect to love it without the band.
A great book that gets inside the greatest rock band of the last 20 years. What else is there to say
keatssycamore
rated it
Recommends it for:
Jammers? Is that what PearlJam fans call themselves?
Shelves:
rock-music,
biography
I got this book for Ange because she loves Pearl Jam. However, she never read it. This should come as no surprise as NO ONE reads rock biographies. Do they?
Except me. Sadly, I don't have strong feelings about Pearl Jam so my reading had a time-killing/because-it-was-there thing happening that kept me from ever becoming engrossed. IOW, I gave it only a a superficial read and found it informational. Though I will say I think the writer was doing something right descriptively in the sens...more
Except me. Sadly, I don't have strong feelings about Pearl Jam so my reading had a time-killing/because-it-was-there thing happening that kept me from ever becoming engrossed. IOW, I gave it only a a superficial read and found it informational. Though I will say I think the writer was doing something right descriptively in the sens...more
I love Pearl Jam. This is the best biography about them. Gives a realistic view of Eddie Vedder.
Great history of the band, but the author cleary did not like Ed Vedder.
Interesting read, but not sure how much of it is true.
There was very little in this that isn't stuff that most people who like PJ already know. And there was some stuff, that I'm not even sure was true. It's been a while since I've ready it but I remember, on several occasions, just going, "wtf." It was entertaining and quick to read, but I didn't have that satisfied feeling after finishing it that I like to have after finishing a book. It was more like, "eh. Well that's done."
kim neely shits out a half true, half soap opera, half science fiction turd, attempting to cash in on the foamy remains of grunge. The best fucking thing about this book is the picture on the front cover, and the fact that you can probably buy it used for under a buck.
don't read this book.
don't read this book.
This give you a little insight into the making of the best band ever. Basically stops around 1994 so would like her to follow up with another. Some information I feel is not so valid, but never the less helps the story.
a good start to the true story.... close this book and listen to the music..
I loved it, but of course I'm a big Pearl Jam fan, so...duh.
Hank Howerton
rated it
Recommends it for:
Any Pearl Jam fan
Recommended to Hank by:
No one, I found it.
A killer book about Pearl Jam during thier rise.
Facu Soro
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