Customer Reviews (4)

Details?
Oldfield has written this without a collaborator, which is a shame -- a skilled author might have extracted more details about things we really care about, particularly his music. Most of his works pass by in this book with only scant mention about how and when they were recorded, and he actually gets a few out of sequence. Such small matters as musical partners, and even wives and children, are barely mentioned at all -- perhaps to protect their privacy, but you would at least expect a few words about them.

Still, it's likely as close a look inside his head as his fans will ever get.

A great book
I didn't expect such a good book. Oldfield opens his hart to the reader, in a humble, and very conversational stile. You can almost hear him speaking to you like a friend. You will discover the complexities of his psychology and understand the high price that Oldfield has paid for his talent. The book is mainly centered in his first three records and his childhood. I wish the book would have another 100 pages and cover his thirties and forties a little bit more in depth.

Much better than I expected...
I really wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this, but I found it very enjoyable. Mr. Oldfield's writing is very conversational and he appears not to be a bitter person despite personal difficulties. I agree with much of what the prior reviewer stated, I would only include that much of the book is devoted to his childhood through the first three albums. He seems to gloss over everything from Incantations on. Compared to most "rock star" biographies, Mr. Oldfield places a heavy emphasis on influences and the creative process. Quick enjoyable read.

Not a god, but a heck of an artist
Since I was eighteen and was blown away on my first listen to Ommadawn, I've discovered and rediscovered Mike Oldfield's music for twenty years. I enjoy different styles of music and various artists, but - at this point in my life - I could be quite happy stranded on an island with only Mike's albums.

He goes into a lot of detail in regards to his childhood, teen years, and early adulthood. In overcoming a good deal of his angst, he reveals that he lost the force that "turbocharged" his music. This isn't a 'look at what a great guy I am' kind of book. Mike shares his insecurities and regrets. This may not please some who see Mike as a 'god', but - in these acknowledgments - he shows a lot of maturity and courage. There are accounts of drug use and alcohol dependency, and I was glad to see that he treated his love life decorously. In fact, I don't recall sex being mentioned at all. Although I was fascinated throughout, my favorite part is the last chapter where we hear Mike's take on where he stands now, on life, on music, and on the future.

I never expected to see an autobiography. I figured Mike would just remain a mystery to me, and that was fine. After reading this book, however, I am very grateful. The main focus of the book is on the pre-1980s, and there are still mysteries, but it's satisfying to know a little more about the motivations behind the man who makes such amazing music. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great early group history reference.
This book is a good Dire Straits reference if you are looking forthe earlier era of Straits. But if you are looking for a complete biography, this book will not do very well. Being published in 1984, it really only covers less than half the bands history.(They both recorded and toured until the early nineties.) However, the period it does cover, it covers superbly. The author has known Mark Knopfler, Straits lead guitarist, since Knopflers teaching days in london in the late '60's and has followed the Straits closely up to the time the book was published. This book is fully authorized and was written in cooperation with the band ... Read more