

It's a great ' encyclopedia!!
It¿s a great ¿ encyclopedia!!!Don't get me wrong, Nicolas Pegg has done a great and painstaking job and the book is a great source if you're going to write a thesis on Bowie(!), but I wouldn't call it fun reading, mostly because of its structure, which is similar to that of a dictionary or encyclopedia! However, there are many interesting facts and quotes that will draw your attention, and you get to hear the explanation of many of his songs from David! -e.g. I didn't know what the theme of Heathen (The Rays) was and why it brought tears to his eyes in one of his concerts...
I think it's a very good and detailed piece of work, as long as you know what you're getting!
The Best Book on Bowie for the serious fanThe book makes reference to many rare and unreleased songs which is vital to a serious collector.
It is written plainly and factually with no hint of worship.
If you are only concerned with Bowie's music then this is the book for you. Essential.


A great starting point for a journey through philosophy
Great introduction into philosophical thought
I read some of this book while at a camp with someone that h

BOWIE
Bowie
Exciting, lively storytelling at it's best.

Balanced book about a complicated artist
Solid, well-balanced book
Simply the best Bowie biography ever written!

Athena and Kain: The True Meaning of Greek MythHow quickly these books catch on in schools and among the public is anybody's guess. But I wonder: when we get to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, and the media begin to speak about the Parthenon and other cultural treasures, will they understand what they see, or will they simply "ooh" and "aah" at some old Greek stuff somebody told them was important?
Athena and Kain: The True Meaning of Greek Myth

Wiggly Fun!
Children and adults alike can relate to having "Busy Toes"

Bowiefile Muso-journo's fail to fawn over rock god! (almost)This is, however, not a bad thing. Remember that Bowie himself spawned Icehouse, Bauhaus (and therfore 'the fields of the nephilm'- a gothic embarrasment from the UK that mass cringing couldn't drive away)and a whole gamut of pass the sick, or make up, bag 'artistes'.
The photos were a revelation, in terms of size and quality, when first published and it must have been obvious to Eel-Pie (Publisher owned by Pete Townsend) that sad spotty but 'different' - i.e. couldn't score chics - schoolkids like myself were going to buy two copies at a time. One for perusing and dripping saliva on and the other for the bedroom wall. Some of us particularly sad types bought three, as some pages had 'crucial' snaps on either side.
In fairness, up until then in the UK (or at least Scotland) there were about 20 unofficial Bowie books that you could buy. All of which had little of written interest and shared the same newsprint qualiy black and whites. Face it, the photos were all that really mattered. As soon as I had parted with my pocket money, the cellophane wrapping was aibourne and my mums scissors were gummed up with cellotape as I added the latest installement to the 'installation (conversation?)piece' that was my bedroom 'collage'.
Once I had bought my third copy and actually started to read the thing (only joking, I read the second one before I cut it up) I realised that this was not going to be the same old cliche ridden sychophantic drivel that I was used to swallowing so gratefully. When you are a young teenager and your mates periodically want to beat you up 'cos you listen to a poof', it can be quite comforting having some hack confirm to you in print that 'the chamelion of rock' is actually the second coming in mascarra. Like, it says so there so it must be true!
How refreshing then, to read a book that praises and ridicules Bowie in fairly equal measure, even though it's obvious that Carr & Murray love 95% of the music they are critiquing. I didn't agree with all of their observations and conclusions, but neither I or the authors should mind about that. This was then, the first music publication that for me, made reading it feel like an adult pursuit. Just before I cut it up and used it to cover every inch of my bedroom.
Two more things, 1. If you buy a copy, you will need a bigger coffee table 2. I wish I had kept one.
The Definitive Guide on Bowie

What an enjoyable reading experience!This novel is written intelligently and doesn't talk down to its readers. It's filled with suspense and loving bonds between families, friends, and lovers. While the main characters are gay, the universal themes will appeal to everyone. I highly recommend this book and appeal to the author to please write a sequel. I want to know what happens to the characters next!!!
A Portrait Of Phillipouting written by J.P. Bowie, you will not be able to put it
down until you've finished the entire book. The pages literally
seem to race by. Bowie has an inate knack for introducing
characters that are so fully dimensional, so well described and
articulated, that you find yourself really caring about them as
if you'd known them for years.
The setting takes place in the beautiful southern California
beach community of Laguna .... The story revolves around main protagonist, Peter, who
after waking up from a 3-year coma, finds out that he and his
lover, Phillip, were victims of what was originally thought to
be a hate crime. He also discovers that Phillip was killed in
the attack. We witness his heroic struggle to try and remember
events leading up to the murder, and how his life is forever
transformed by those around him who offer their friendship and
support in his seemingly impossible quest to find the perpetra-
tors.
Although most of Bowie's main characters happen to be gay,
this book will appeal to anyone who champions good over evil,
justice over greed and inhumanity. It is written with a casual,
breezy style, sprinkled with generous doses of intelligence, wit,
and charm. Unlike many so called "gay" novels where most of the
gay characters are portrayed as either tragic or dysfunctional,
Bowie's crew of cast members are confident, self-aware, and well-
adjusted - a perspective that lends the story an upbeat tone even
in the midst of danger and moments that are sometimes heart-
breakingly poignant.
This is not only a story of murder and suspense, it is one of
love, friendship, and the indominatble human spirit. It's an
emotional roller coaster that will draw you in, take you up and
down, and leave you fully satisfied and entertained. You don't
necessarily have to be gay to enjoy this book. I highly recom-
mend it to anyone who appreciates writing that is thoughtful,
clever, and intelligent. Bowie is all of the above.


Very well done

echoes of Scripture...Many near eastern/mediteraenean cultures exhibit shared memories of a common prehistory. From Gilgamesh in Mesopotamia to early tales of Osiris in Egypt, echoes of the Genesis and Flood stories abound. If Mr. Johnson is correct, than Greek mythology is a very twisted (possibly Satanic) retelling of the fall of Man.
As far as particulars--
I found his arguments about the true identity of the Zeus figure extremely compelling. Yet the Athena/Hera division is still a little muddled in my mind (probably more my fault than the author's).
Overall, "Athena and Eden" is a very intriguing book that deserves a lot of attention. It gets my recommendation.
Fabulous new source for reflection - Very highly recommendedJohnson asserts that scholars have previously been unsuccessful in identifying most of the figures in the east pediment because they have failed to connect Athena with Even and the story of Eden in the Book of Genesis. Through careful research, Johnson demonstrates that we do have the literature and art to serve as a source of reconstruction. Painstaking comparison demonstrates shows that the sculptures of the eastern pediment depict the Garden of Eden, the birth of Eve, the Great Flood. Furthermore, the goddess Athena, whom the Greeks worshipped as the one who brought the serpent's wisdom, is the same person the Book of Genesis calls Eve.
Johnson, a West Point graduate, author, teacher and public speaker based his research on surviving sculptures, the ancient writings of Homer, Hesiod, Pindar and others, plus myths, vase art and the work of numerous experts. His controversial approach will certainly garner attention from all who are interested in the classics, religion, art, and mythology. Indeed, Johnson's unique perspective will provoke avid discussion among academics for years to come, yet is easily approachable by any who hold an interest in our origins.
Of particular interest to students of Hellenic art
Don't get me wrong, Nicolas Pegg has done a great and painstaking job and the book is a great source if you're going to write a thesis on Bowie(!), but I wouldn't call it fun reading, mostly because of its structure, which is similar to that of a dictionary or encyclopedia! However, there are many interesting facts and quotes that will draw your attention, and you get to hear the explanation of many of his songs from David! 'e.g. I didn't know what the theme of Heathen (The Rays) was and why it brought tears to his eyes in one of his concerts'
I think it's a very good and detailed piece of work, as long as you know what you're getting!