Hi everybody,

I think that's one of those questions that appear from time to time in forums like this so sorry for asking AGAIN. But I am looking for a book about Prince because I like to waste the time 'till 3121 with some reading about Prince (yes not only the org but something that's called "a book" )

I heard of severel ones for "posessed" or "the vault" but I want to know if there is THE book about Prince. Perhaps I should tell you what information I'm interested in:

Of course I'm interested in how Prince's career started
specially interested in Camille and that stuff
since I started listening to Prince music in the 90s specially interested in 90's stuff, 0(+>-era especially "Emancipation" (he seems so changed at this time, I'm curious about this)

So Can anyone recommend me a book ? (btw: I should perhaps mention that I'm from germany so please tell me where I can get it online, but the book should be in English - need to keep up with that language otherwise I can no longer talk to you folks )

THE books are the vault and dancemusicsexromance: prince--the first decade.

'the vault' is hard to find - i think you can only order it from uptown - but it's really good. 'dancemusicsexromance' is the other good one, like dansa said...i wouldn't waste my time with 'possessed' unless you like the tabloid rumor stuff, in which case, you'll have a good time with it.

Anx said:

yeah, possessed is more of a dirt-slinging/gossipy kinna book that doesn't really provide much actual info you could really use, so the two books i mentioned before would be yer best bet if you wanna find out about the 'camille' stuff.

I've read (in order)...

"The Year of the Prince" - a very thin thing published around the time of Purple Rain, mainly photos and not very good.

"Prince - Imp of the Perverse" by Barney Hoskyns - A fairly small book but a decent read. I don't have it anymore.

"Prince - a Pop Life" by Dave Hill - Excellent book in my opinion, covering everything from the beginning up until the time of "SOTT" and "Black" if I recall. I still have this one and think it is out of print now.

"Prince - A Documentary" by Per Nielsen - Fantastic book but not exactly a reader... more of a reference book as it is written more or less as a diary. Still happily on my shelf.

"Dancemusicsexromance" by Per Nielsen - More of a "book" than the above, and a good read by the man who is pretty much the authority on Prince. Still have this.

"Slave to the Rhythm" by Liz Jones (I think) - not very good at all... I borrowed this off a friend and quickly gave it back.

"The Vault" - Essential, but it is "A Documentary" on speed! The first section is an extended version of the "Documentary" book, and the rest is an essential reference guide of his songs, videos, tours, films... Everything, basically. Indispensable. I can see my copy from where I am sitting now.

"Posessed" by Alex Hahn - This gets a lot of stick but I really enjoyed it. It is more of a warts and all account of Prince's life, and I think many people don't like it because it basically makes out he is a ruthless, often nasty, man. Alan Leeds said it was good, and that's good enough for me. I still own this.

Hope this helps!

Slave To The Rythm has all this stuff with interviews with Wendy and Lisa, Vanity , Owen Husney , Prince´s sister Sharon and more

I have Possessed and DanceMusicSexRomance. They're both worth reading for sure.

it's kind of a trifle, but i really like the 33 1/3 book about the 'sign'o'the times' album - it's more of an extended first-person essay than a book of facts, but fans who have lots of history like that album (like myself) will have a lot of time reading the reflections of a fellow fan. it's not especially pricey and it's a fun addition to your prince collection.

oh, and duh - it was written by michelangelo matos, whose name i hope i didn't misspell too horribly.
[Edited 1/27/06 15:26pm]

BananaCologne said:

Hey B.C.. You've always been cool with me. Ever since I first joined. Dig, can u, with your connections, get me a copy of The Vault. I have EVERY book on P except that one. I heard it has cold blooded never seen pics from the early part of P's career.

blackguitaristz said:

Check your org notes.

BananaCologne said:

Thanx, B.C.

DMSR by Per Nilsen is great. You won't stop reading 'til the last page.
Purple Reign by Liz Jones is ok, but basically says he's a dumb businessman, if I can remember right.

Slave to the Rythmn is very good but concentrates too much on the 1995-97 period with Emancipation, Mayte, the Mojica sisters and baby Gregory.
I have three small ones too. One is American but the other two is very British (NZ is a commonwealth country and mother England still supplies alot of the printed culture)
Prince-Steven Ivory 1985, a hastily cobbled together Purple Rain paper back. QWuite accurate but very chatty and unintelligent writing style. Ivory apparently writes for soul magazines. Funny photos though
Prince-John Ewing 1994 A small CD size book which is quite accurate covers his life up to the Most Beautiful girl. Lots of pictures from 1981 onwards and interesting symbol style graphics.
The complete guide to the music of Prince by Geoff Brown. Excellent CD size book which reviews all the singles from For You up to Come in an album by album basis, very well written and a reasonable review of songs eg "For You offers a satisfactory if a touch lightweight introduction to his raw talent" and "This is quite er certainly hot stuff from an act aimed at a teenage market" on a review of Soft and Wet. Funniest is his review of the Dirty Mind album

" Warner Brothers expected a consolidating pop follow up to a pop million seller, instead they got some guy in his sisters clothes singing about sex in as many places and permutations as possible" Its well written and dry wit permeates thru out. Thers a lot of Black and white photos in it too, a lot are from the Dirty Mind Tour when it got to the Lyceum on May 29th 1981, and these are funny.

Its my favourite althou may be out of Print.
I own those three, A pop life, slave to the rythmn and Prince a documentary (1993version) and my own Prince fan book from 1995 full of crappy photo copied photos and very inaccurate info.

Nasalhair said:

I agree. It's an excellent book. Not as a Prince sourcebook, but as a book that makes a great read and is actually quite well written. It covers other issues as well than just Prince's past, like the history of Minneapolis.

I think it's the best of the bunch. Of course the Per Nilsen -things are a whole another matter, but the approach is different anyway.

BananaCologne said:

I wanna know how I can get a book too!!