I write about my 1976 trans-Atlantic voyage with David Bowie in my second book, The Ascension Within. When we weren’t playing music together in the Lido Bar, or eating salmon and eggs on the floor of his cabin suite, I would find him (sitting with his secretary, Coco) on the aft deck reading William Blake. Just one more of his many literary influences.
Guralnick's "Sweet Soul Music" is a superb chronicle of 1960s southern R&B that puts a lot of the music in its proper historical context. I recommend it highly.
This is an awesome list. I have only read 17 of these, but if those titles are indicative of the quality of the other 83 on the list, I need to read them all!
Camille Paglia says that Bowie tried to contact her to use a quote from Sexual Personae on an album sleeve. She did not believe it was him and blew off all attempts to reach her via various intermediaries. Not sure what album it would have been because she does not specify when it was. The book is an incredible work of non-fiction art and cultural analysis and can see why he would have loved it. Surprised it was in the near the bottom quartile. I have read some of the others but not very many - maybe a dozen max. I'll revisit the list so thanks.
Has anyone here read Julian Jaynes “origins of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind?” I read a good half twenty years ago. Very weird theory that the hemispheres of the brain used to interact in a kind of schizophrenic way causing hallucinations in which a person would be hearing the voice (of God, as real). It’s on the origins of self-consciousness and the early genesis of religion.
I was wondering what your source was and then you cited DB himself as the author. Do you know when and in what form? And a small nitpick, Charlie Gillet does not have an E at the end.
I've only read 15 of them. But no Dickens, Vonnegut, Pynchon, Salinger?
I write about my 1976 trans-Atlantic voyage with David Bowie in my second book, The Ascension Within. When we weren’t playing music together in the Lido Bar, or eating salmon and eggs on the floor of his cabin suite, I would find him (sitting with his secretary, Coco) on the aft deck reading William Blake. Just one more of his many literary influences.
Delighted to see DAY OF THE LOCUST on this list--West was such an incisive commentator on the entertainment business.
Admirable list. He was one of a kind. I can’t help noticing how male-dominated it is though. And T.S. Eliot’s name is misspelled.
Well, this is a list I’ll be returning to. Thank you!
Guralnick's "Sweet Soul Music" is a superb chronicle of 1960s southern R&B that puts a lot of the music in its proper historical context. I recommend it highly.
What a fantastic post, thank you for sharing!
David Bowie made it ok to different. Dead or alive, he still rocks!
This is an awesome list. I have only read 17 of these, but if those titles are indicative of the quality of the other 83 on the list, I need to read them all!
Camille Paglia says that Bowie tried to contact her to use a quote from Sexual Personae on an album sleeve. She did not believe it was him and blew off all attempts to reach her via various intermediaries. Not sure what album it would have been because she does not specify when it was. The book is an incredible work of non-fiction art and cultural analysis and can see why he would have loved it. Surprised it was in the near the bottom quartile. I have read some of the others but not very many - maybe a dozen max. I'll revisit the list so thanks.
Saving this! Thanks for passing on the inspiration from dear Mister Bowie.
TALES OF BEATNIK GLORY was written by Ed Sanders, not Ed Saunders. I’ll go ahead and assume that the mistake was not Bowie's ;)
Has anyone here read Julian Jaynes “origins of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind?” I read a good half twenty years ago. Very weird theory that the hemispheres of the brain used to interact in a kind of schizophrenic way causing hallucinations in which a person would be hearing the voice (of God, as real). It’s on the origins of self-consciousness and the early genesis of religion.
I read somewhere that all of David Bowie‘s creativity and steps toward success came from his wife.
Damn. I think the only one I’ve read on here is On the Road. Better get busy.
Determined to read Bowie's entire reading list
I was wondering what your source was and then you cited DB himself as the author. Do you know when and in what form? And a small nitpick, Charlie Gillet does not have an E at the end.
I've only read 15 of them. But no Dickens, Vonnegut, Pynchon, Salinger?