Rating: 
Summary: The Conscience of America
Review: Eric Alterman, a Springsteen fan himself, writes with insight and sympathy for Bruce Springsteen, a man who, despite his wealth and success, is still trying to figure himself out and be honest to his core values. Springsteen is trying to be the conscience of America while also it's best concert entertainer backed by the best band in the land. No mean task! No wonder he's such a perfectionist. As other books have implied, Eric Alterman leaves me feeling that Bruce makes all of his fans better for helping them keep in touch with the better angels of their nature. This book will only increase the reader's appreciation for Bruce Springsteen, the man and his art.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing tribute-bio
Review: Half biography, half love letter, Eric Alterman's dissection of the impact of Bruce Springsteen on america is well informed, expertly reported, and in a way that you don't see coming, completely gripping and emotional. The tale he tells of being kicked out of a car while sick for wanting to see a local Springsteen concert on Yom Kippur is priceless, and this book is full of moments like that which fuse respect and biography until they're inextricable. It makes the argument that an artist's life, no matter how interesting (and I find Springsteen's fascinating), is just there to serve the listener's passion for his work. I wouldn't recomment it for non-Springsteen fans like some reviewers here (why'd they even go past page 10?), but if you've found yourself drawn into the promise and messages of a certain artist, you'll find emotions to bury yourself in here.
Rating:
Summary: You ain't a beauty but hey you're alright....
Review: Having read the vast majority of books on the subject. I am happy to say that this is the most intelligent and most enjoyable. A perfect balance of biography and wider analysis, the book manages to remain mature and interesting while still capturing all the childlike drama and passion of being a Springsteen fan. Where Jim Cullen's work was dry and self concously academic, this book is both human and enlightening. Not a source of the minute biographical detail that would thrill an obsesive fan, but beautifully capturing all that is positive and invigorating about Bruce Springsteen. If you are looking for a good introduction to the subject then this is it. If you are already a convert then this will help to send that shiver of excitement back through your soul.
Rating: 
Summary: This guy would make love to Bruce if he could.
Review: How utterly pathetic this Alterman guy is. He is so slavishly devoted to democrats and thier ignorant politic, he heeps praise upon Springsteen like a smitten 13 year olf girl. What a fool.
Rating:
Summary: Great study of Bruce's life and songwriting
Review: I have read a number of books on Springsteen, and this is by far and away the finest written and most insightful and balanced account of his life, both in and out of the studio. Anyone who is a fan of Bruce or is interested in reading about a great songwriter and entertainer will enjoy this book. It provides wonderful insight into what made Springsteen an icon of the 80s as well as what drives him on stage.
Rating: 
Summary: A great niche book
Review: I heard from a friend that Alterman's "Ain't No Sin..." was a book about Bruce's political and social relevance (something that was done with, I should say, somewhat better results in "Tramps Like Us"). Coming from this perspective, its shortcomings are not great and Alterman is an astute observer.
Rating:
Summary: Springsteen -- A Promise Fulfilled
Review: I just finished reading Eric Alterman's brand new book on Bruce Springsteen, entitled "It Ain't No Sin To Be Glad You're Alive -- The Promise of Bruce Springsteen," and I can safely say it is a very solid, well-researched, and thoughtful book. The book is definitely a worthy read.Alterman's book is not so much a biography (which in many ways it is), as much as it is a substantive and interesting look at Springsteen's artistic work and productive career. As a result, the reader gets an insightful feel for where Springsteen fits in the grand scheme of American history and pop culture, as well as a meaningful human portrait of a rock 'n' roll icon. Most of the book is devoted to conceptual and thematic interpretations of Bruce's albums and songs. However, to avoid purely subjective analysis, Alterman intelligently talks about the political and social times under which these albums were released. This has the overall effect of bringing Springsteen's work ALIVE for the reader and giving him or her the proper context to more fully understand what Bruce was striving for at that point in his career. All the while, there are biographic facts and stories interspersed which helps put flesh and life on the subject. In other words, when you read about Springsteen in Alterman's book you feel like you're actually reading about another human being, not some aloof and detached celebrity. Alterman is also very fair in his writing. He talks about the legendary triumphs of Born to Run and Nebraska, as well as the artistic struggles and 2nd-rate nature of much of the Human Touch material. The best element of this book is the human portrait of Bruce Springsteen that emerges. Springsteen has an amazing and unique gift from God and we are blessed to live during a time in which we can appreciate him and his music, first-hand. In so many ways, he has the amazing ability to inspire an intense personal relationship with his art. For many people over the last 25 years, Bruce has been a tremendous source of hope and inspiration, as well as a "reason to believe" on so many days and nights when we felt not so special or unique. How many artists in any medium can you say this about? The substance-abuse problems, embarassing movie roles, and just plain crap that so many, if not all other, artists put out during their career is wholly absent from Springsteen's career. It's difficult, if not impossible, for me to think of another artist of any worth who has received so much commericial and critical success while still retaining integrity and credibility. So, Eric Alterman's book not only reminds us of all of these things, but most of all everything that is human about the artist. In the end, we're left not so much with an account of a singer's career for the last 25 or so years, but in some weird way a guide on how to live a life of worth and meaning. A testament of how to go through the storm and come out with your soul and integrity intact. An inspiration to have the will and faith to believe in yourself, as well as your dreams. How not to lose your innocence and aspirations in the face of the harsh reality called becoming an adult in today's world. As a Springsteen fan, I've read a number of articles and books on him and his music. Alterman's work is probably my favorite. It's interesting, insightful, and rewarding. Tom Bernardo
Rating:
Summary: Springsteen -- A Promise Fulfilled
Review: I just finished reading Eric Alterman's brand new book on Bruce Springsteen, entitled "It Ain't No Sin To Be Glad You're Alive -- The Promise of Bruce Springsteen," and I can safely say it is a very solid, well-researched, and thoughtful book. The book is definitely a worthy read. Alterman's book is not so much a biography (which in many ways it is), as much as it is a substantive and interesting look at Springsteen's artistic work and productive career. As a result, the reader gets an insightful feel for where Springsteen fits in the grand scheme of American history and pop culture, as well as a meaningful human portrait of a rock 'n' roll icon. Most of the book is devoted to conceptual and thematic interpretations of Bruce's albums and songs. However, to avoid purely subjective analysis, Alterman intelligently talks about the political and social times under which these albums were released. This has the overall effect of bringing Springsteen's work ALIVE for the reader and giving him or her the proper context to more fully understand what Bruce was striving for at that point in his career. All the while, there are biographic facts and stories interspersed which helps put flesh and life on the subject. In other words, when you read about Springsteen in Alterman's book you feel like you're actually reading about another human being, not some aloof and detached celebrity. Alterman is also very fair in his writing. He talks about the legendary triumphs of Born to Run and Nebraska, as well as the artistic struggles and 2nd-rate nature of much of the Human Touch material. The best element of this book is the human portrait of Bruce Springsteen that emerges. Springsteen has an amazing and unique gift from God and we are blessed to live during a time in which we can appreciate him and his music, first-hand. In so many ways, he has the amazing ability to inspire an intense personal relationship with his art. For many people over the last 25 years, Bruce has been a tremendous source of hope and inspiration, as well as a "reason to believe" on so many days and nights when we felt not so special or unique. How many artists in any medium can you say this about? The substance-abuse problems, embarassing movie roles, and just plain crap that so many, if not all other, artists put out during their career is wholly absent from Springsteen's career. It's difficult, if not impossible, for me to think of another artist of any worth who has received so much commericial and critical success while still retaining integrity and credibility. So, Eric Alterman's book not only reminds us of all of these things, but most of all everything that is human about the artist. In the end, we're left not so much with an account of a singer's career for the last 25 or so years, but in some weird way a guide on how to live a life of worth and meaning. A testament of how to go through the storm and come out with your soul and integrity intact. An inspiration to have the will and faith to believe in yourself, as well as your dreams. How not to lose your innocence and aspirations in the face of the harsh reality called becoming an adult in today's world. As a Springsteen fan, I've read a number of articles and books on him and his music. Alterman's work is probably my favorite. It's interesting, insightful, and rewarding. Tom Bernardo
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and Informative - Diallo Tragedy
Review: I read this book cover to cover on an airplane flights as the whole controversy was bubbling over about Springsteen's "41 Shots" song about the Diallo shooting NYC. This excellent book provides a compelling context to understand this issue. Anyone who thinks Springsteen is some phony, trying to capitalize on a tragegy to make money should sit down and read this book. The book is well-documented and avoids a lot of the vacous rah-rah the fills the usual rock biography. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: A slow starter that's really worthwhile in the end
Review: I thought that the book took a while to get going. The first few chapters are largely just a restatement of the basic facts of the Springsteen story. These facts are well known and Altman doesn't add that much. In fact throughout the book he relies, heavily, on widely available secondry sources like Springsteen's book Songs which is a pity because Altman's own insights are always very interesting. But the book definitely does improve a lot as Altman gets into his stride. It's great strength is the way that the author, mainly in the second half or two thirds of the book, is able to make sense of Springsteen's work in a political and social context without ever being reductive or simplistic about ideas like class and manhood. In fact Altman always uses theory as an aid to see more clearer and is not, like most academic writers, blinded by theory. Altman is also really good at explaining the deep meaning that Springsteen's work has for his listeners. The book should have been a lot longer, it always feels as if Altman is just scratching the surface. But the second half of the book does have enough of Altman's valueable insights to make it, in the end, an exciting and inspiring read. I started off a little frustrated but ended up moved.
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