Hi guys. We are formally announcing that the ebook version of The Rise of Prince: 1958-1988, by Alex Hahn and Laura Tiebert, is now available for pre-order. The paperback version will be available for pre-order soon. The ebook is $8.99 and will be released on Feb. 28, as will the physical edition. Anyone who pre-orders the book by February 13 can have their name placed on a list of thank yous in the book. Just email us by that date letting us know you pre-ordered at theriseofprince@gmail.com.

https://www.amazon.com/dp...+of+prince

As described on amazon, this is some of what the book will contain.

The Rise of Prince: 1958-1988 will serve as the definitive account of the iconic artist's first 30 years. More so than any previous book, this 400-page volume provides a dramatic, page-turning narrative of Prince's rise to fame.

This book’s gripping, 50-page prologue provides a nearly day-to-day account of the events that unfolded between November 2015 and April 21, 2016, when Prince tragically died at Paisley Park. The great distance traveled by Prince during his final months – tours of Australia and New Zealand, a funeral in the Bay Area for former muse and lover Denise Matthews, a tour of Canada, and a final return home – in some ways mirrored on a grand scale Prince’s nomadic childhood, to which the book returns after detailing the events of 2016.

Hahn, writing in collaboration with veteran author Tiebert, brings his extraordinary experience to this book, which includes fully updated and expanded elements of his controversial 2003 biography Possessed, a sought-after collector's item that remains a classic of Prince literature.

The Rise of Prince provides a complete reordering of what is known about Prince's formative years based on previously unavailable documents and persons never before interviewed. It provides unknown information about early relationships and collaborations; a detailed account of the no-holds-barred competition with Rick James on the 1981 tour that set the course for Prince’s meteoric rise; a vivid depiction of the recording of Prince’s album at Sunset Sound, including a little-known encounter with Sly Stone; and much more.

Ultimately, the Rise of Prince tells the very human story of how Prince survived great adversity to achieve one of the greatest runs of creativity in pop history, creating an unparalleled universe of side projects, alter-egos and lovers along the way.

The book includes exclusive photos by Paul Natkin, one of the most renowned photographers of Prince.



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cha-ching!

Will it be published in proper book form as I do not have ebook technology?

Adorecream said:

Iamtheorg said:

I'm looking forward to this Alex. Congrats. Anyone who enjoyed POSSESSED will enjoy this as well. Pre-ordering it.

Hello Alex. I am very excited about this book and look forward to reading it as soon as it is released. I have not had the opportunity to read Possessed: the rise and fall of Prince. I especially appreciate the research you and Ms Tiebert have done on Mr/Dr PRN's 2015-16 activities and look forward to learning more about what he did and accomplished during his unexpected final year on this planet.

Adorecream said:

Will it be published in proper book form as I do not have ebook technology?

"The paperback version will be available for pre-order soon... The ebook is $8.99 and will be released on Feb. 28, as will the physical edition."

And you don't own any sort of computer or tablet? You must have a computer - you're posting here. You can read books on your computer. Kindle and Nook both have desktop apps, as they do apps for phone and tablet. Mac even has a built-in iBooks app to read on any computer running iOS. So, you do have eBook technology, you just don't know it.

TrivialPursuit said:

Adorecream said:

Will it be published in proper book form as I do not have ebook technology?

"The paperback version will be available for pre-order soon... The ebook is $8.99 and will be released on Feb. 28, as will the physical edition."

And you don't own any sort of computer or tablet? You must have a computer - you're posting here. You can read books on your computer. Kindle and Nook both have desktop apps, as they do apps for phone and tablet. Mac even has a built-in iBooks app to read on any computer running iOS. So, you do have eBook technology, you just don't know it.

I have a basic, budget computer, do not have any of those programmes you mention. Not everyone lives in Connectaland. I am a poor New Zealander with a peoples technology socialist computer. I also have no idea what a Kindal or a Nooke is.

So does this mean that you´ve decided against an updated version of Possessed ?

Or will there also be an updated version of Possessed at a later date ? Or maybe a part II of this book that covers the years 1989-2016 ?

And one more thing...I´d like to order the paperback version but since I live overseas I´d like to know if I can just order it from the bookstore right down my street that´s specialized in ordering from the USA, or is that not possible? I´m asking because they could not order some other self-published Prince books that I tried to order previously.

But...for 8.99, I would definitely buy a printed version. E-books are not my thing.

AlexHahn said:

Iamtheorg said:

cha-ching!

LOL, try writing a book and see how lucrative it is

Adorecream said:

Thanks for the update Alex.

I'm going for a physical copy but can you tell me if it will also be available on Amazon UK or if I'll need to order from the US?

Cheers, I look forward to it.

Is there something that specifically happened in Nov 2015 that is the impetus to his death

AlexHahn said:

Iamtheorg said:

cha-ching!

LOL, try writing a book and see how lucrative it is

Don't worry about that stuff AlexHahn, anyone who does anything connected to Prince since he passed is accused of 'cashing in' but... God forbid, people stop talking about Prince, stopped doing anytihng connected to Prince, then there is another level of complaining.

Looking forward...

I need to know more more and more I tell ya !

OldFriends4Sale said:

AlexHahn said:

Iamtheorg said: LOL, try writing a book and see how lucrative it is

Don't worry about that stuff AlexHahn, anyone who does anything connected to Prince since he passed is accused of 'cashing in' but... God forbid, people stop talking about Prince, stopped doing anytihng connected to Prince, then there is another level of complaining.

But they are cashing in. Where were these people when Prince was alive. What's wrong with saying that? Because its not a nice thing to say? We're all nicey now?

Done!

amimissinsumthin said:

Hello Alex. I am very excited about this book and look forward to reading it as soon as it is released. I have not had the opportunity to read Possessed: the rise and fall of Prince. I especially appreciate the research you and Ms Tiebert have done on Mr/Dr PRN's 2015-16 activities and look forward to learning more about what he did and accomplished during his unexpected final year on this planet.

Thanks for the very kind words. I hope you enjoy it, and I have a feeling you will. Best to you, Alex

wonder505 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Don't worry about that stuff AlexHahn, anyone who does anything connected to Prince since he passed is accused of 'cashing in' but... God forbid, people stop talking about Prince, stopped doing anytihng connected to Prince, then there is another level of complaining.

But they are cashing in. Where were these people when Prince was alive. What's wrong with saying that? Because its not a nice thing to say? We're all nicey now?

there were enough threads on that. So over it.

The Rise Of Prince? Nice try. Didn't want to get in trouble with the title again I see.

Only going up to 1988 yet again is just rehash with a couple of new interviews and a few tweaks thrown in. It sounds like this is being rushed along in order to get it out ahead of the one year anniversary of his passing, before public interest diminishes.

Other than speculation surrounding the time period between Nov. of 2015 and April of 2016, it's pretty appalling and disgusting to once again dismiss more than half of the man's life and body of work. Twenty six years of phenomenal performances and artistry are being ignored?

I'm pretty fed up with any and everybody who still insists on limiting one of the most talented and creative minds in the history of music to one era of his career.....it's lazy, short sighted and unworthy of Prince.

As stated above, where has hahn been all this time as he doesn't seem to have had any interest in Prince until the unthinkable happened?

* * * * * *

AlexHahn

Thanks for the responses, and encouragement. I wanted to tell you guys a bit about the genesis of the new project. It somewhat emerged from many people wanting to buy Possessed and not wanting to pay $300.00. it went far beyond that initial intent as Laura and I worked to update the book -- first in wanting to do a detailed account of Prince's last year, and then in a much-needed revisting of Prince's very early years, and how they formed his psychology. The beginning and the end of the story are really the most important in understanding the whole picture, in my view.

I did come to feel, in researching the early years, that just about everything that has been written -- including in my first book -- was missing key information about the formative years. Filling in those gaps has been fascinating -- and a massive task.

The other major goal was to tell the entire story of the period we are covering in a clear and linear fashion. I felt, with great respect to Matt Thorne and Ronin Ro, that they took a discursive approach that sort of jumped around -- that has its merits, but so does a linear, non-digressive narrative.

I hope that those who are the hardest core fans, and who have read other books about these years, will be patient with us, and recognize that we are trying to create a book that will appeal to the most serious fans -- and which contains granular information, including new information -- but also trying to reach people who have read previous books.

Finally, I think Laura and I have felt compelled to create as accurate as possible historical record, something that can used and consulted for a long time to come.

We are above all trying to do our best and the support of people in the Prince community is a huge part of what sustains us.

OldFriends4Sale said:

AlexHahn said:

Iamtheorg said: LOL, try writing a book and see how lucrative it is

Don't worry about that stuff AlexHahn, anyone who does anything connected to Prince since he passed is accused of 'cashing in' but... God forbid, people stop talking about Prince, stopped doing anytihng connected to Prince, then there is another level of complaining.

Thanks, we appreciate you reinforcing the message. If we wanted to get rich, there would literally be thousands of ways to achieve that, and writing this book would NOT be one of them, lol.

babynoz said:

The Rise Of Prince? Nice try. Didn't want to get in trouble with the title again I see.

Only going up to 1988 yet again is just rehash with a couple of new interviews and a few tweaks thrown in. It sounds like this is being rushed along in order to get it out ahead of the one year anniversary of his passing, before public interest diminishes.

Other than speculation surrounding the time period between Nov. of 2015 and April of 2016, it's pretty appalling and disgusting to once again dismiss more than half of the man's life and body of work. Twenty six years of phenomenal performances and artistry are being ignored?

I'm pretty fed up with any and everybody who still insists on limiting one of the most talented and creative minds in the history of music to one era of his career.....it's lazy, short sighted and unworthy of Prince.

As stated above, where has hahn been all this time as he doesn't seem to have had any interest in Prince until the unthinkable happened?

THANK YOU!!! Not to mention his creations, spiritual growth and philanthropy. but we're supposed to get over it. That's my feeling as a fan and let's not get into the timing of when the author had this revelation of publishing this book.

[Edited 1/27/17 10:27am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

wonder505 said:

But they are cashing in. Where were these people when Prince was alive. What's wrong with saying that? Because its not a nice thing to say? We're all nicey now?

there were enough threads on that. So over it.

Hmm, I think it's unfair to try censor a fan's sentiment, especially if its made respectfully. Author's are criticized and praised and Alex should be mature enough to handle it. He came to the Org two weeks after Prince passed to promote his book. This will continue to follow him. If there is a rule that I broke I am open to you pointing that out.

Would love a book of Prince 1958-2016. So many dismiss his career after 88. I cared about his whole career as a fan.

Twenty six years of phenomenal performances and artistry are being ignored? (babynoz) Yep as usual.

Adorecream said:

I have a basic, budget computer, do not have any of those programmes you mention. Not everyone lives in Connectaland. I am a poor New Zealander with a peoples technology socialist computer. I also have no idea what a Kindal or a Nooke is.

Well, I never mentioned a Kindal or Nooke, so I don't know what those are either.

Iamtheorg said:

cha-ching!

It's mental laziness and short-sighted thinking to default to "someone's trying to make a buck". I didn't see y'all screaming about that while demanding endless tributes in concert or on TV award shows, or when the museum opened, or when Prince's properties were listed, wishing for this or that from the estate, or any other source, or when some amateur musician did a cover of "Purple Rain" with a milk jug and a Kazoo and posted it on YouTube. Did anyone bash Dixie Chicks, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Mavis, The Time, or anyone else for singing a Prince song, or playing the actual CD, in concert? I didn't hear the "CHA-CHING!" rants then. It's a bit women arguing, and someone jumps in and proclaims "well she's just jealous". Really beesh? It's a juvenile response, with no forethought or insight. I would hope most people on the Org are smarter and a bit more grown up than that.

Hahn's updated his previous book. He's a writer, among other things. Why wouldn't he update a book he wrote about probably one of the most popular and talented musicians in a generation or three, and reissue it?

And as Hahn has said, if you think someone is getting rich or "cashing in" from writing a book, think again. You gotta be pretty big business with a lot of juicy stories to get any sort of good book deal in the non-fiction world.

Alex, I'm looking forward to the book. While there were a few off facts, and quotes from off the record that were published, I did find The Rise and Fall to be an interesting take on Prince's career. I'll be quite interested to see how it comes out this time around. No doubt, it'll be a good read.