Piece of My Heart : On the Road With Janis Joplin

by David Dalton

Piece of My Heart : On the Road With Janis Joplin (Modern Icons)

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

286 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1986

Reviews

[L.V. Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of Janis Joplin, what I liked about this book was that it wasn't a typical biography. It didn't "start at the beginning and go to the end". Through conversations with Janis and observations of the author, it paints a portrait of a hugely talented young woman who is desperately trying to find out just where she fits in and how she is going to go about accomplishing what she wants. With sex and drugs constantly clouding her ambition and judgement, Janis alternately comes across as highly intelligent, pushy, stubborn, sexually uninhibited, flashy, confrontational, sweet, lost and needy.
Unfortunately, Dalton's writing style is a bit much, tossing about literary references and odd phrases and words that sometimes cloud what he is trying to get across. hence, the best parts of the book were often the actual word for word conversations that he had or observed with Janis, himself and/or others.
This is a good book for Janis fans, but I wouldn't recommend it to those who were new to her and looking to learn about her life.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same danm day, man

[Mary D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have long wanted to read a bio of Janis Joplin. Stumbled across the 3rd edition of this book at a used book sale last year and it finally worked its way to the top of my bedside TBR pile. The author, who wrote for Rolling Stone, unabashedly extols Janis's talent, intelligence, and authenticity. As its title says, it really is more of a portrait than a full-blown biography. It's almost kaleidoscopic in feel, dizzying, and very apt for a description of Janis's life.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spare -- but unsparing -- look at the life and death of Janis Joplin. Sad tale of a woman so out of it due to all the mind-altering substances in her system that if she had lived longer, her career might have sputtered out completely. As it is, the fact that they killed her helped make her a legend along with Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix. Is this any way to run a railroad? Especially when you have her talent and her love of living?

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this because I was giving a report for History Class on her for college. It was an excellent book. Very in depth. Great pictures too.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treasure. Happy to own it. If you love Janis it's worth getting. Great photos.

[Andrew Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read about an inspirational woman.