I've read with interest the various comments on prince.org about my upcoming book. This is truly an intelligent and lively community! I thought people might be interested in seeing excerpts of two early reviews. Neither has been published yet, but I've been given advance copies of excerpts by the writers. The full reviews will be available soon on allmusic.com and in Goldmine Mag. [Where's my prerelease copy of the book!? -Ben]

Reviewed by Joe Viglione for http://www.allmusic.com
the All Media Guide
Title: Possessed - The Rise And Fall Of Prince
Author: Hahn, Alex
Publisher: Billboard Books (Watson-Guptill Publications, NY)
Boston based attorney and journalist Alex Hahn has written an in-depth and intense 280 page look at Prince Rogers Nelson which reads more like a psychological study than a strict biography. . . It comes off as surprisingly objective with detailed information on the recordings, the creation of some of the songs, building and de-construction of the various bands and tours, material that ardent followers will devour. . . But Prince is also revealed here as a spoiled brat whose promiscuity, erratic behavior and self-indulgence cost him friendships, record sales, and respect. . . It is tough, albeit compelling, reading and you will go cover to cover with it. . . It is so painful at times you just cringe that a character who can make such wonderful sounds could do such despicable things to people who care about him. But it is equally inspiring as the workaholic mentality finds itself on display in all its glory. . . .Possessed does an admirable job of covering both sides. Important, and amazingly detailed like some unholy marriage between The National Enquirer and The Wall Street Journal.

Thomas Kintner for Goldmine magazine:
. . . Even Prince fans who have read about him voraciously for more than two decades are likely to encounter behind-the-scenes stories they have never heard before. . . The direct-to-fans oddball of 2003 is a very different artist than the man who was His Royal Badness in the mid-1980s, and Hahn demonstrates a clean handle on the pros and cons of both as he offers the field of Princely scholarship an updated textbook. . .

I still don't understand why anyone would try to make a "psychological study" about someone else.

maybe i'm just in denial but why can't we just leave the man alone?, he's human, he has faults just like you and me so just deal with it. If i were to write a book about someone random i.e. one of you imagine how bad i can make you look. Surely to God for every person he has upset there must be at least one he has done good for. It is blatantly clear to even the most hardened critic that Prince is moving on and trying to grow as a person but with trash like this he must think to himself 'fuck it, why should i bother'. For every person that Prince dumped on how many have dumped on him?. LEAVE THE MAN ALONE!!. I just want his music. When someone you love fucks up do you disown them?, no you defend them and show them support, why can't we do the same for Prince.

javed said:

Then I propose you don't read the book.

You guys act like books like this are specific to Prince. When you get famous you subject yourself to treatment like this. How many bio's are there are on Michael Jackson? Stop pretending that Prince is somehow different then other celebrities.


.
[This message was edited Fri Mar 21 9:15:34 PST 2003 by lovemachine]

AlexHahn said:[quote]I've read with interest the various comments on prince.org about my upcoming book. This is truly an intelligent and lively community!

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM THE AUTHOR HIMSELF!
HE THINKS WE ARE COOL!
PARTY ON!

Alex,
I'm very eager to read your book, as I'm sure many Org members are. I know it's attracted a lot of criticism but - until anyone's had chance to read the damn thing! - I look forward to making my own judgements.

Just one question, though: were you a fan before you started writing this, became a fan as a result of writing this or have never been a fan? I'm just interested to know why Prince became your chosen subject.

Also - and I mean this in all sincerity; no criticism intended - did you set out with any agenda or have a completely open, unbiaised attitude throughout? I'd really like to know what sort of approach you adopted for this project.

Anyway, best of luck and I look forward to reading it.

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM THE AUTHOR HIMSELF!
HE THINKS WE ARE COOL!
PARTY ON![/quote]

***

He thinks you are 'cool' so that you will buy his publication and make him £$. He is using this site purely for promotion. If he had a genuine interest he would have been a contributor long ago.

Whatever, in my view so-called 'journalists' who write tabloid trash masquerading as biographies are not 'cool'.

He has used the 'scandalous', expose' angle to publicise the book from day one.

I certainly will not be supporting his little venture.
[This message was edited Fri Mar 21 9:34:59 PST 2003 by Mr7]

I'll certainly read this book with great interest. I still think the title is not well chosen, for many reasons. Just under this item, there's a link to a very positive review of ONA Live. There is no consensus that Prince has completely fallen musically. He has fallen commercially, that's for sure. Morally? Even the reviews you quote seem to confirm Prince is somewhat a better man now than he was in his heydays (the bit about the Prince of 2003). I'm sure Kevin Smith would disagree though.

onenitealone said:

as someone who knows Alex, I can confirm that he is indeed a fan of Prince's work and was actually a subscriber to Uptown Magazine for many years (before acting in a legal capacity during the lawsuit period).

as to his agenda, you'll have to ask Alex directly however I've discussed Prince with him in person and I certainly got the feeling that he has just as an open and unbiased view as the majority of fans.

nice to see someone not judging the book buy merely its cover alone.

Aerogram said:

depends if he wants a camel

I will read the book and my intuition will tell me if it makes sense or not. Plus I can ask my friend who knows Prince personally. He always gives me nice little insider adecdotes

GrecianGoddess said:

don't believe a word that Larry Graham says

Cant wait for the book.
Good on ya Alex, Prince is a pure genius, but a strange little prick!

Gav said:

as 4 me, when the book comes out in stores i'll give it a look...

Well, personally I think Prince is Satan, so nothing in the book will surprise me.

I look forward to reading this.

Mr7 said:

errr, he doesn't need to try and be nice. every time Prince is even pictured in the press, there's a link on here, so he we would've been aware of this book regardless. Alex is obviously aware of the divided opinion here of this book and thought it would be good to show us some other views OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY READ THE THING. i'm sure he's pi**ed that he won't be getting your $10

lovemachine said:

---
That exactly the problem. Prince is just like other celebrities. A human who has faults. I am sure he has had his bad days and his good days. Unfortunatly. I doubt if Mr.Hahn spent anytime trying to find any good things to say.

I will be very surprised if the book goes into any of his family problems. I am sure it has not occurred to the author that everybody has a reason for doing things they do


None of us knows what went on Prince's childhood.

Also keep in mind that one of the reviews mentions a lost of respect by his peers. Who are these people? I guess they are not the people who gave him a standing ovation at the Clive Davis grammy party.

javed said:

What do you mean, "leave him alone"? He's human, and he has faults, and so examining them, with all due respect to fairness, is the only way to "deal with it" WITHOUT being in denial -- which you are. Not thinking about things, or ignoring the pieces of information you don't like, while exclusively embracing the information you do favor, is not a solution to any situation -- in order to come to terms with reality, and not "be in denial".

You haven't read Hahn's book, and so you don't know what it contains. The references to an "unholy marriage between The National Enquirer and The Wall Street Journal" are, by best estimation, a result of Prince's actions and chosen lifestyle, and not necessarily the style of writing or attitude of the author. All things considered, I have not seen anything to indicate that this book is attempting to make Prince 'look bad'; it simply accepts what the author sees to be 'truth'.


Have you been paying attention to Prince's career at all? Since the beginning of his career, Prince has continually been trying to 'move on' and 'grow', but that doesn't make it possible, or even beneficial, to hide from his past. Have you read about him before? Do you have any idea of the choices he has made to screw over other people? Besides, if Prince is weak enough to read a book such as this, find it that disheartening and disillusioning, and then lose all motivation, then most likely his motivation wasn't genuine to himself, and his music, as a result, wasn't worth making in the first place, let alone worth my hearing it.


If you "love" Prince in the same way that you love a friend or family member, then you're lying about only wanting his music, and you're also, as you said at the beginning, "in denial", in addition to being emotionally unhealthy.

As there is no such thing as an 'unbiased viewpoint', there is undoubtedly an opinion given on Prince in Hahn's book. Whether it be favorable or unfavorable, writing a book, or reading a book, that examines a person's life in an effort to better understand them, is in no way an act of 'disowning' them.

errr, he doesn't need to try and be nice. every time Prince is even pictured in the press, there's a link on here, so he we would've been aware of this book regardless. Alex is obviously aware of the divided opinion here of this book and thought it would be good to show us some other views OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY READ THE THING. i'm sure he's pi**ed that he won't be getting your $10[/quote]

***

Being nice to potential buyers is a proven marketing strategy.

We are his intended market.

If he wasn't concerned about getting my $10 he wouldn't resort to promoting his book here.

The reviews of those who have read his publication merely confirm my feelings regarding it. The title of the book and the promotional text give a very adequate description of the content.

In addition, Alex has posted here before and I was unimpressed by the justifications and motivations that he wrote on that occasion.

A true, professional journalist should at least be objective and unbiased. I'm displeased about it because it seems to be more concerned with alleged details of Prince's private life than his music.

If a Journalist that had mounted legal action against you was writing your biography would you be happy about it?

ShabasLove said:

"You haven't read Hahn's book, and so you don't know what it contains. The references to an "unholy marriage between The National Enquirer and The Wall Street Journal" are, by best estimation, a result of Prince's actions and chosen lifestyle, and not necessarily the style of writing or attitude of the author. All things considered, I have not seen anything to indicate that this book is attempting to make Prince 'look bad'; it simply accepts what the author sees to be 'truth'. '


What the hell are you talking about!!!
The references are an opinion by a reviewer who felt the book was tabloid like. The reviewer is reviewing the book not Prince's lifestyle or actions.

I have a newsflash for you when information comes from second hand gossip and disgruntled employees we really do not know the truth.

onenitealone said:

Oh for crying out loud. What did I post just a couple of days ago? A page on my site with EVERY BIT OF INFORMATION that was out there at that time about this book. I suggest you start reading that and clicking on some links there, and if that's too much trouble I seriously doubt you'll be able to get through this book at all.

Mr7 said:

Get this through your skull: writing a book and at the same time posting on the org is NOT POSSIBLE.

laurarichardson said:

Brilliant! Hasn't read the book yet, but already knows what's in it.

Gav said:

"...buy merely its cover alone."

Exactly. It's all about $$$. (Don't you just love picking one line of somebody's quote and dissecting it?)

lovemachine said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Time to go Bart. Who the hell am I? Who-mutherfuckin-dknee.

alex is promoting his @#$%&* book, on this site. whatever he writes in his book will not change the way i feel about PRINCE and his music.i bet alex has all kinds of skeletons in his closet.maybe the reason why alex is writing this book is because, he wanted to fuck Prince and P turned him down.

>Plus I can ask my friend who knows Prince personally. He >always gives me nice little insider adecdotes.

Oh dear...there are such sad sad people on this planet

Bart, get over yourself. As usual you do yourself no favours; if you invested as much time in developing your manners as you do visiting the Org, more people might listen to what you have to say.

Which is precisely why I ignored your link several days ago.


And, besides, as my earlier post indicates, I wish to hear it from the 'horses mouth' itself. So I replied to a thread that the author himself created. Where YOU come into this, I'm not sure. Unless 'Alex Hahn' is your alter-ego.

So do us all a favour and naff off; when I want your opinion I'll ask for it.