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The Fallen

Life In and Out of Britain's Most Insane Group
By Dave Simpson
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3.91 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 637 ratings, 68 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Fallen tells the story of The Fall, one of the world's most iconic post-punk bands led by the enigmatic Mark E. Smith for over thirty years. Author Dave Simpson spent two years interviewing every musician who passed through the band, uncovering hilarious and shocking tales about life in one of Britain's most intense and chaotic groups. The book also serves as a reflective biography of Smith, who managed the band like a football team with no single member greater than The Fall itself.

Featuring new interviews, this compelling account offers a fascinating insight for devoted fans and anyone interested in Britain's post-punk cultural landscape.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for devoted fans of The Fall and followers of British post-punk culture, as well as readers curious about the unusual dynamics of long-running bands and music history.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

'The best book yet on a band that have evolved into a cross between a large Victorian family and a rehab unit.' The Times

'The best book yet on a band that have evolved into a cross between a large Victorian family and a rehab unit.' The Times

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Fall are one of the world's most iconic groups, led for the last thirty years by the inimitable and enigmatic Mark E. Smith. They have released nearly thirty studio albums, with in excess of fifty musicians passing through their ranks. They are The Fallen; this is their story.

Dave Simpson has spent two years of his life tracking down everyone who has ever played in The Fall. The resultant book is full of hilarious and shocking anecdotes about life in one of the country's most intense and insane bands. It is also a biography in reflection of Mark E. Smith, a man who runs his group like a football team, for whom no one member is greater than The Fall.

Featuring a host of new interviews, this is a fascinating insight for all of The Fall's devoted fanbase, which famously included John Peel, and anyone who has ever been curious about the group, and interested in the post-punk cultural landscape of Britain.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Q Magazine calls it "Riveting stuff". Stewart Lee describes it as "A Canterbury Tales for the MP3 generation". Stuart Maconie (Radio 2) "warmly recommends it" as "a tremendous read". Everett True praises it as "Absolutely brilliant," making him revisit all 554 Fall songs. The Times calls it "The best book yet" on the band, and The Word describes it as "Brilliant and bloody awkward." Mark E. Smith himself is quoted expressing a strong reaction, showing the book’s impact.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781847671448

Publisher: Canongate Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 August 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Canongate Books

Edition: Main

Illustration: integrated b&w illustrations throughout

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 226g

Pages: 336

Collections

Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Dave Simpson Music & Musicians Musicians, Movie Stars & Creative Biographies Non-Fiction

About the Author

Dave Simpson writes on music and the arts for the Guardian newspaper from an isolated base in the North of England. He has been a fan of the Fall since 1979, and once admitted to hating The Beatles.

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