i have read countless reviews..and previous post on here about this book..

some people say "its the best book written on prince and its truthful" others say its "written by a prince hater with no life"

i want to know whats really going on before i buy/read it? i dont wanna read tabloid garbage.. so could someone who has actually read the book tell me if you recomend it or not.

thanks!

dm3857 said:

i have read countless reviews..and previous post on here about this book..

some people say "its the best book written on prince and its truthful" others say its "written by a prince hater with no life"

i want to know whats really going on before i buy/read it? i dont wanna read tabloid garbage.. so could someone who has actually read the book tell me if you recomend it or not.

thanks!

use the search function, this has been asked about once a year since it came out. Generally, it's a sorry excuse for a Prince book. I forget what I said as criticisms before but there bound to be on here somewhere.

Read it and make up your own mind.

Bear in mind some people hate ANY criticism of Prince, and this book is critical. The author was the lawyer for Uptown (renouned fanzine, authors and researchers) when Prince brought legal action against them - so of course there would be a more critical, or less glowing slant. If you can handle that, then enjoy the book - and remember Alex Hahn had access to Uptown's research for their own publications as well as his own interviews, and Per Nilsen and crew are known for their factual and detailed information.

Above anything else I think it's just the 'rise and fall' subtitle that got people's backs up - but if you've got jelly bones, you should stay away from anything other than Dr. Funkenberry or Andy's FB page.

I think its very good, its written like a proper biography should be without the hysterical fan love of the person being reviewed. Some biographies are just unreadable because the author has blind devotion towards their subject and this will jaundice the view of the persons life.

Basically its reasonably comprehensive in regards to his life and music up to the end of 2001. He interviews many disgruntled ex employees and ex band members so that sets the tone of the book. Alex Hahn is also critical of some of Prince's lesser musical endeavours and some of the less talented proteges. Some may find it too critical, but then again at least he is reasonably honest and he does give credit where credit is due. Most of us know he has made some stupid moves in his life and some of his music has been pretty piss poor at times. I couldn't get a copy of my own, but my library has 2 copies and I get it out about 5 times a year and read it again, every time is deja vu.

If you really have mist covered eyes about Prince, avoid it, but if you like a good read, or just want to debunk some of the myths read it by all means.

After Per Nilsen's books, this is easily the best Prince book written to date.

[Edited 5/6/12 4:05am]

I quote chapters from it all the time, gives you some good background history

I enjoyed it, it's informative and to the point.

It's not as if it costs The Vault money so what's the harm in buying it and forming your own opinion? If you don't like it i'm sure your local charity shop would be glad to take it off your hands.

It is one of the most well written books on Prince, and one of the most well researched, however the authors goal is to portray Prince as a gay bashing (the author of the book is himself a homosexual) asshole.

I do know that at least one instance in the book is false, as I was at one of the concerts he was writing about and he completely mis-represented the audiences reaction to something Prince did.

My suggestion, get three or four reputable Prince biographies (Possessed included) and sort of make up your mind for yourself.

Prince is no saint, but I also think a lot of the people they end up interviewing are people who were in his employ. How many people REALLY like their boss? And usually, after being let go for something they wouldn't like to admit is their own fault, what would they say about their boss? Food for thought

I read enough Prince criticism here don't need a book with more

I don't think it was too terrible. Some of the things in there that I couldn't believe Prince would do or say, he, in later years, did or said in some other fashion so then I knew that stuff was more than likely true.

i.e. ; When it said Prince was a gay basher, well, then he went on Ellen a few years later and Mani tweeted something about "I hope she asks Prince what he thinks of gay marriage!" Or something to that effect, and I suppose, she would know. So it makes me think he sits around with his JW friends doing just what the book says he does, goes off about their lifestyle etc.

lauralevesque said:

I don't think it was too terrible. Some of the things in there that I couldn't believe Prince would do or say, he, in later years, did or said in some other fashion so then I knew that stuff was more than likely true.

Really? Got me wanting to read it now-damn!

It's $10.00 on Amazon used -maybe I'll buy it just to have it

nursev said:

It's $10.00 on Amazon used -maybe I'll buy it just to have it

It's actually pretty good, the man is an obvious Prince fan, he brings out some wonderful things and also brings up some critical things. I think it's balanced. It's not all directed AT Prince but just a lot of background stuff from engineers ex band members WB & Paisley Park workers etc etc Brown Mark Eric Leeds, Alan Leeds, Dr Fink Susan Rogers (I believe) and other band members from the 90's, it's a pretty good read

nursev said:

lauralevesque said:

I don't think it was too terrible. Some of the things in there that I couldn't believe Prince would do or say, he, in later years, did or said in some other fashion so then I knew that stuff was more than likely true.

Really? Got me wanting to read it now-damn!

I left my mine at the dentists office and was sick about it! Might have to order another copy for myself now that I think about it

You should get it- it's a good read.

ya, and I am now remembering there were big, stupid mistakes in the book too, typos and such which hurt credibility. Like I said, search for it here and you'll see. I don't mind criticism, the book was just a piece of shit, regardless of the subject. There were a few interesting stories in there which I hadn't heard before but other than that, nothing. Oddly enough, the author came to this forum trying to drum up business for the book which celebrated Prince's fall during his triumphant musicology era and we ran that fucker off so fast.

[Edited 5/6/12 15:24pm]

I like it.

petes2 said:

ya, and I am now remembering there were big, stupid mistakes in the book too, typos and such which hurt credibility. Like I said, search for it here and you'll see. I don't mind criticism, the book was just a piece of shit, regardless of the subject. There were a few interesting stories in there which I hadn't heard before but other than that, nothing. Oddly enough, the other came to this forum trying to drum up business for the book which celebrated Prince's fall during his triumphant musicology era and we ran that fucker off so fast.

I take it off the shelve ever so often and read for reference material if I want to remember when he wrote a song and any history behind it. Not a bad read, but pick it up and judge it for yourself.

several better ones, although many of them are old and out of print for at least 20 years. Pers Nilsen has some singular work, Pop Life was another that was evenhanded as far as criticism and was a much better book than Possessed, been some recent ones out that (I presume because of the internet) are not making much of a splash although they look to be ok books.

A very good book. In the top 5 of best Prince books of all time.

Worthy of a read.

madhouseman said:

A very good book. In the top 5 of best Prince books of all time.

Worthy of a read.

What would you say are the other top 4 books?

SEXUALCHOCOLATE said:

madhouseman said:

A very good book. In the top 5 of best Prince books of all time.

Worthy of a read.

What would you say are the other top 4 books?

DMSR

The Vault

Days Of Wild

Turn it up 2.0

These were all from UPTOWN magazine/Per Nilsen

I would also suggest:

A Pop Life

Slave To The Rhythm

That is more than 5 but I think that POSSESSED fits in well with these.

Listen, people keep saying that the author is hating on Prince & maybe he is doing just that 2 a point. But at the end of the day, these "Prince cult idiots" need 2 realise that Prince is not a saint, nor is he an angel. He is human, he is fucked up, and he is egotistical. This doesn't mean that he doesn't care about others, or wants peace on earth & all that jazz. But he is just like many, many countless other Geminis out there. He has his good & he has his bad. This book points out alot of his bad, but it's still an honest book. These Prince cultist need 2 understand that...

Hey I'm a HUGE Prince fan, I buy all of his albums, I buy & download all of his bootlegs. And I love all of his music. But at the same time I don't believe that he is Christ nor do I believe that he is the Devil. He's a man!!! He aint perfect, but I don't bash him either. I don't judge & criticize his music, but he has done people wrong and so have we all. Stop acting he is above all of that.

Possessed is a great book. It is. Bottom line...

NAMOR3000 said:

Listen, people keep saying that the author is hating on Prince & maybe he is doing just that 2 a point. But at the end of the day, these "Prince cult idiots" need 2 realise that Prince is not a saint, nor is he an angel. He is human, he is fucked up, and he is egotistical. This doesn't mean that he doesn't care about others, or wants peace on earth & all that jazz. But he is just like many, many countless other Geminis out there. He has his good & he has his bad. This book points out alot of his bad, but it's still an honest book. These Prince cultist need 2 understand that...

Hey I'm a HUGE Prince fan, I buy all of his albums, I buy & download all of his bootlegs. And I love all of his music. But at the same time I don't believe that he is Christ nor do I believe that he is the Devil. He's a man!!! He aint perfect, but I don't bash him either. I don't judge & criticize his music, but he has done people wrong and so have we all. Stop acting he is above all of that.

Possessed is a great book. It is. Bottom line...

You're busy calling people cultists but here you are believing in that Gemini horoscope bullshit.

rdhull said:

NAMOR3000 said:

Listen, people keep saying that the author is hating on Prince & maybe he is doing just that 2 a point. But at the end of the day, these "Prince cult idiots" need 2 realise that Prince is not a saint, nor is he an angel. He is human, he is fucked up, and he is egotistical. This doesn't mean that he doesn't care about others, or wants peace on earth & all that jazz. But he is just like many, many countless other Geminis out there. He has his good & he has his bad. This book points out alot of his bad, but it's still an honest book. These Prince cultist need 2 understand that...

Hey I'm a HUGE Prince fan, I buy all of his albums, I buy & download all of his bootlegs. And I love all of his music. But at the same time I don't believe that he is Christ nor do I believe that he is the Devil. He's a man!!! He aint perfect, but I don't bash him either. I don't judge & criticize his music, but he has done people wrong and so have we all. Stop acting he is above all of that.

Possessed is a great book. It is. Bottom line...

You're busy calling people cultists but here you are believing in that Gemini horoscope bullshit.

I was just using a term. I don't follow horoscopes. But I hope that U have an open mind towards what I was trying 2 say...

NAMOR3000 said:

rdhull said:

You're busy calling people cultists but here you are believing in that Gemini horoscope bullshit.

I was just using a term. I don't follow horoscopes. But I hope that U have an open mind towards what I was trying 2 say...

Well I hope that YOU would be open minded enough to understand that 99% of the critics of that book are critics because of shoddy journalistic ethics, bias regarding conflicts of interests, and a majority of poor to fair investigative techniques and NOT because they think Prince is some angel or saint etc. That bullshit assignment to anyone who is objective are deemed as cultists, kiss asses etc is so played and used as a weak ass argument.

rdhull said:

NAMOR3000 said:

I was just using a term. I don't follow horoscopes. But I hope that U have an open mind towards what I was trying 2 say...

Well I hope that YOU would be open minded enough to understand that 99% of the critics of that book are critics because of shoddy journalistic ethics, bias regarding conflicts of interests, and a majority of poor to fair investigative techniques and NOT because they think Prince is some angel or saint etc. That bullshit assignment to anyone who is objective are deemed as cultists, kiss asses etc is so played and used as a weak ass argument.

I truly understand your point. But I'm only refering 2 the fanantics that belive that anything negative said about Prince, is nothing more than Prince-bashing. Hey, I'm a Prince-nut myself, but I know that he can be an asshole as well! That's all. I never respond 2 these posts on here because alot of the Orgers take this shit 2 personal, U know?

It's a great book. It gives full credit where full credit is due and it rips where ripping is due. You cannot deny that the book is very well-researched. When he rips Prince there are quotes galore from Prince's inner circle.

muleFunk said:

Alex Hahn has a Prince.org account and used to be a frequent guest on this site.His credibility was shot with me when he asked me for an interview in regards to a post I made about Troy Beyer's pregnancy with Prince's baby which was the subject of a USA Today article. Hahn would rather interview me on a fan site rather than going through the archives of a credible news source. This speaks volumes of what type of information is in this book.