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From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads: A Bowie Odyssey
James Briggs had never known what David Bowie's Life on Mars? meant. And twenty-five years later with a career stealing his soul, a relationship in stasis and a hairline in furious retreat, life on earth had him cornered.
So when a lightning bolt of inspiration strikes, he leaves everything behind to cycle one of the song's lyrics, 'From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads' to discover what life, love and Life on Mars? really mean.
What followed was life-affirming, inspirational and often hilarious. Criss-crossing Europe, he visited French chateaus where Bowie recorded, Spanish Olympic stadiums he played, former communist states where his music was banned, and the Berlin Wall he helped topple - all while navigating angry Soviet ballerinas, suspicious village mayors, and an irate Cliff Richard fan.
James found kindred spirits and a new love (and occasionally hatred) for cycling as he discovered what happens when, instead of following the crowd, you follow the lyrics and music of the greatest artist of the 20th century. As the world reconsiders its priorities, From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads is a clarion call to embrace the strange, blaze your own path, and live as fearlessly as the Starman himself.
So when a lightning bolt of inspiration strikes, he leaves everything behind to cycle one of the song's lyrics, 'From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads' to discover what life, love and Life on Mars? really mean.
What followed was life-affirming, inspirational and often hilarious. Criss-crossing Europe, he visited French chateaus where Bowie recorded, Spanish Olympic stadiums he played, former communist states where his music was banned, and the Berlin Wall he helped topple - all while navigating angry Soviet ballerinas, suspicious village mayors, and an irate Cliff Richard fan.
James found kindred spirits and a new love (and occasionally hatred) for cycling as he discovered what happens when, instead of following the crowd, you follow the lyrics and music of the greatest artist of the 20th century. As the world reconsiders its priorities, From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads is a clarion call to embrace the strange, blaze your own path, and live as fearlessly as the Starman himself.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 2, 2025
interesting and quirky book based on lyric to life on mars and the author ride related to bowie as well
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a quirky and engaging read of the author, James Briggs, coming to realisations about the choices he has made in life alongside finding the meaning of the song "Life on Mars".
Anyone who has been working a job and finding themselves burnt out, can find themselves wondering what else is there out there, such as on Mars, and the importance of human connection. I particularly enjoyed the references to Bowie's history through the different locations and in particular, Berlin stood out as a pivotal chapter. The description of Heroes being sung with people on both sides of the wall sounded incredible. I hope Iggy the bike was cleaned up and given some TLC after such a long journey!
Thank you for Icon books for a chance to read and review this book in advance.
Anyone who has been working a job and finding themselves burnt out, can find themselves wondering what else is there out there, such as on Mars, and the importance of human connection. I particularly enjoyed the references to Bowie's history through the different locations and in particular, Berlin stood out as a pivotal chapter. The description of Heroes being sung with people on both sides of the wall sounded incredible. I hope Iggy the bike was cleaned up and given some TLC after such a long journey!
Thank you for Icon books for a chance to read and review this book in advance.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews