In 1956 John Osbornes Look Back in Anger changed the course of English theatre.Look Back in Anger presents post-war youth as it really is. To have done this at all would be a significant achievement; to have done it in a first play is a minor miracle. All the qualities are there; qualities one had despaired of ever seeing on stage - the drift towards anarchy; the instinctive leftishness; the automatic rejection of "official" attitudes; the surrealist sense of humour . . . the casual promiscuity; the sense of lacking a crusade worth fighting for and; underlying all these; the determination that no one who dies shall go unmourned. Kenneth Tynan; Observer; 13 May 1956Look Back in Anger . . . has its inarguable importance as the beginning of a revolution in the British theatre; and as the central and most immediately influential expression of the mood of its time; the mood of the "angry young man". John Russell Taylor
#386138 in eBooks 2013-03-04 2013-03-04File Name: B00C4GRGQY
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Must ReadBy KAIve been a Bruce Cockburn fan since I discovered his music in college in 1987. With Bruce you are not just getting music. His is a rare combination of politics; poetry; mysticism; meaning-making; and compassion. His work is as multilayered as the human condition itself. His memoir is no different. It is truly a rare gem. Not only did I enjoy the backstory of his songs; but his memoir contains history that spans the globe. From Latin America in the 80s to Cambodia; the Middle East; Africahellip;its all here. This memoir is unique because Bruce really isnt the center. Many music memoirs are "me me me." Not this one. His travels have led him to bear witness to unfathomable worldwide suffering; and those voices find their way into this book. To feel the pain of the world; not look away; and not be consumed by it is a lifes work. Thank you Bruce!20 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Precious Gift to Bruces FansBy P. HammDisclaimer: I believe there are two kinds of people in the world. Those who recognize that Bruce is the greatest songwriter in the history of popular folk/rock music; and those who just havent heard enough of him yet. So; you know Im an uber-fan. I have everything hes ever recorded (in some cases multiple copies on vinyl and CD); and have seen him live more than any other artist. (Bruce; my brothers and I are the ones who always shout out for the really weird songs whenever youre in DC. Weve made you laugh at us more than once. Sorry for ruining your concentration; at least we didnt do that crap at the National Cathedral in 06.)Bruce memoir is not one he needed to write. Rabid fans like me (Ive been listing him as a favorite songwriter for just over 30 years; having discovered him through the 1981 US Greatest Hits collection "Resume") are going to buy his music and see his concerts and even learn to sing and play his songs as long as we are blessed to have him crank them out.Bruce takes us through all of the political; societal; personal and spiritual highways and byways that have informed his songwriting; activism and life over the years; and the ride is worth it. The story is impossible to put down (I read it in 3 or 4 sittings over 4 days); engaging and sometimes even humorous.We get a lot of great answers to questions about his writing (like the identity of the person who actually put that bullet hole in that wall... although Id like to know if Bruce actually sent the pictures he took... Bruce; I know youre reading... spill the beans... did ya?); and a lot of insight into both his highs and lows; his successes and failures and failings. Totally honestly; he paints a picture of a remarkably flawed man; but by the end of the book I liked him even more than I did at the beginning.The political landscape; as Bruce sees it; is outlined graphically and with great detail; and I appreciated being informed on more than a few things I wasnt aware of; but for me; the spiritual insights were worth the price of the book alone. I know Bruce hesitates to call himself a Christian right now; but the love that God (through Christ) put in this man to give him the boldness to speak and write about the issues hes faced; not to mention the guts to visit places I would not think I would be brave enough to; still speak of a man whose spirit is very much in line with Christ. (Bruce; we are not all right-leaning capitalist republican immigrant-hating bastards; I promise you).When I was a very young Christian; there was a very short list of prominent songwriters and authors who kept me from becoming a mindless american fundamentalist. Bruce is at the top of that list. He has made more truly great albums than anyone else Im aware of; and his fan list reads like a whos who of great artists in their own right.Those who are looking for detailed musical info about Bruces unique (and incredible) playing style wont find that here. Theres only SO much room for details in this book!If I were to fault this book at all; Id like about a chapter more of where hes at in life now; but perhaps that is too close to be easy to write about. Id also love chapter names so I could go back and find passages while Im listening to; say; "The Charity of Night" and want to read again about where he was then; or "In the Falling Dark". I suspect the book will make more sense and appeal to Bruces legions of fans than those who arent; so... what are you waiting for... get the box set; too and you can listen your way through a whole new perspective on the last few decades of politics; religion and culture.So thankful for this book. It will be a true rarity. A musician biography I will read more than once.Thank you; Bruce! for this book; for dozens of albums of incisive and amazing songwriting and music; and for caring about your fellow man and making us want to do that; too.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Rumors of Glory ConfirmedBy Edward J. InsingerBackgroundI had the pleasure of attending two concerts by Bruce Cockburn: one in the summer of 1997 while on tour promoting his Charity of Night CD and in 2005 performing solo in a church venue. Both concerts were outstanding and Bruce kept to his word: I never knew what you all wanted So I gave you everything All that I could pillage All the spells that I could sing...In terms of his music; a close friend introduced me to him in the late 1980s; but didnt join his "legion of followers" until his release of Nothing But A Burning Light. Once captivated by his unique singing/songwriting and guitar playing; my collection of CDs grew by leaps and bounds; capturing the earlier works and providing me with the ability to study the evolution of his musical style. I was also fortunate to speak with him following the 2005 concert; at which time I resonated with his presentation in spoken word that we as a human race are dependent on each other for our existence on this shrinking planet and relayed to him the words of the French author and aviator Antoine de Saint Exupery: It is another of the miraculous things about mankind that there is no pain nor passion that does not radiate to the ends of the earth.Much to my surprise; he was very open to listening to my thoughts and definitely felt that I was in the presence of a genuine and caring person.Rumours of GloryWith these thought in mind; I welcomed the opportunity to read his memoir and gain further insight into this remarkable man; who has written firsthand after traveling to the darkest and most troubled corners of the world. He then ever so exquisitely places these experiences into words and music that touch the very core of the heart and soul: Wave on wave of life Like the great wide oceans roll Haunting hands of memory Pluck silver strands of soul...The songs are far reaching; covering religion and politics; activism and environmentalism; with the subsequent misunderstanding and abuse of power; filtering down as greed; dishonesty and brutality toward every living being. One only has to consider the destruction of the rain forest and listen to the penetrating twang of the accompanying electric guitar accentuating the "cutting" words: From Sarawak to as Costa Rica to mangy B.C; hills - Cortege rhythm of falling timber What kind of currency grows in these new deserts These brand new floodplains?Such prose and poetry; vision and imagery place Bruce in a place of his own; for there is simply no one who is more skillful at his chosen trade. I would also add to this by saying that if the godfather of singer/songwriters is; as Bruce says; Pete Seeger; than the godson heir to the throne is Bruce Cockburn.Bruce writes very honestly about love and relationships; beginning in childhood when love was never something that came up in family discussions. I can relate to this in that I experienced the same situation in those formative years when the opportunity exists for a parent or parents to nurture the growth of love. Indeed; this complicates matters as one progresses through their teen years and on into adulthood. I am sure that everyone has some "skeletons in the closet" and revealing personal relationships can be exposing and awkward. I think that what Bruce shares with us is truthful and honest. What I do know through age and wisdom is that love is both difficult to find and even harder to hold onto: When youre lovers in a dangerous time Sometimes youre made to feel as if your loves a crime - But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight - Got to kick at the darkness til it bleeds daylight...I also admire the fact that Bruce has been able to maintain a constant and loving relationship with his daughter; Jenny.Perhaps one of the darkest moments I experienced while reading this memoir was the strife of civil war found in every country Bruce visited -- and ultimately trickling down to the children caught in its jaws. This left a deep impact on him as well; which is expressed often in his songs; from If I Had A Rocket Launcher or The Mines of Mozambique to Postcards From Cambodia. Putting this into perspective; Bruce writes on Last Night Of The World: Ive seen the flame of hope among the hopeless And that was truly the biggest heartbreak of all That was the straw that broke me open...Anyone who has been following the music and career of Bruce Cockburn will enjoy reading this book -- and indeed find it hard to put down. One still wants to learn more; to discover new horizons in the life and music of this most talented Canadian singer/songwriter. So it may be said that even though he has left us with a most impressive list of discography; awards and credentials; we still search for more from him. This book has helped fill that insatiable desire for me.Thank you; Bruce; for the songs and music; prose and poetry. In closing; Id like to say that in my humble opinion; I feel compelled to answer the question which you raise in the last verse of Strange Waters: Youve been leading me Beside strange waters Streams of beautiful lights in the night But where is my pastureland in these dark valleys? If I loose my grip; will I take flight?You will indeed find the pastureland which mankind seeks; just as sure as you will take flight.