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Bowie

Written by: Simon Critchley, Eric Hanson
Narrated by: Simon Critchley
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Publisher's Summary

Simon Critchley first encountered David Bowie in the early '70s, when the singer appeared on Britain's most-watched music show, Top of the Pops. His performance of "Starman" mesmerized Critchley: it was "so sexual, so knowing, so strange". Two days later Critchley's mum bought a copy of the single; she liked both the song and the performer's bright orange hair (she had previously been a hairdresser). The seed of a lifelong love affair was thus planted in the mind of her son, aged 12.

In this concise and engaging excursion through the songs of one of the world's greatest pop stars, Critchley, whose writings on philosophy have garnered widespread praise, melds personal narratives of how Bowie lit up his dull life in southern England's suburbs with philosophical forays into the way concepts of authenticity and identity are turned inside out in Bowie's work. The result is nearly as provocative and mind-expanding as the artist it portrays.
©2014 Simon Critchley (P)2014 Audible Inc.
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What the critics say

"Critchley lovingly unearths profoundly deep cuts from every Bowie era in a short sharp book worthy of its subject. Miraculously doubles up as an introduction to philosophy." (Gruff Rhys, member of Super Furry Animals)
"The most powerful and provocative philosopher now writing..." (Cornel West)
"A truly inspiring voice..." (PopMatters)

What listeners say about Bowie

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Roberta W

Probably good for Bowie fans

I never listened to a lot of David Bowie, so this did more to teach me a bit about his work and what his fans found so compelling. There is a lot of subtlety, especially as it relates to specific songs, that leads me to believe that true fans would enjoy this.

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Profile Image for Karla Broadfoot

torture

i would rather catch my death in the fog then ever listen to this blowhard again.. i won't be back to hear what might say about Blackstar...

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