Margrave Of The Marshes
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Product Description
Radio Times
'It's like listening to the story of a much missed friend ...'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
GQ
'As with the man himself ... there's the surprising, the cosy ... and the fascinating.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Peel had been planning this book for several years but alas begun writing it too late - he died half way through. Fortunately Sheila "Pig" was so close to her husband that she has no problem whatsoever completing it in a way that is still incredibly satisfying; she seems to have shared many of his friends and experiences so very little is lost to the world. It also helps that Peel left a brief synopsis of what he saw the book including in the form of a letter to his publisher (included in the appendix), almost everything he wanted to incorporate is here - it's just a pity that the second half of the book doesn't feature the dry humour that was unique to the great man, I would have loved the have read his thoughts on some later events. What Sheila does give us is a clear depiction of a man completely in love with music and life, it is fascinating to read about his approach to listening to demos and the organisation of his shows (like so many people out there I was involved in a band who got played on Peels show and was over the moon to receive a note from him - I now have the added bonus of being able to picture how the great event happened!). It's a fairly large book this, but then John Peel was a larger than life character so that's no surprise, what is a surprise is how much he gives us in the way of personal thoughts and extremely difficult and shocking events in his life. This is a truly affecting autobiography and a million miles away from the glossy, self congratulatory rubbish that almost every other "celebrity" churns out. After reading this fantastic book I deeply regretted not having listened to John Peels shows more and above all I was simply left wishing that he was still around. What a disaster for music his death was but thankgod we have this to remember him by.
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It is almost impossible to define the subject and as a result the book soon after his nationally mourned death, though I have tried many times.
To say this man was a consistent hero in my life should tell you something, that his contradiction in character from the music he loved and the family life he lived provided and provides a unique insight into music and times of 20th Century culture in the UK.
This is a book written by him and continued by his wife in the style and honesty that if you were fortunate to have listened to broadcasts first hand does not disappoint and leaves you happy that it is always time well spent.
To others who want to understand more about the general subject of English life then I can think of no better starting point as it is written in his engaging style, honest and without patronising it stimulates further interest in the material it covers which is diverse.
At the gigs he attended, quietly standing at the bar, you wished that you had had the chance to go over and say hello, this book is a record of what you might of learned further if you had been brave enough to do it, or had not wanted to interrupt his enjoyment of music he truly loved to love.
A great read that fills a hole in the void that he leaves in modern pop culture, knowing that his roots go back to the earliest pop and rock records of the 50's, and knowing that he was always down to earth as a result of this depth, you will perhaps understand why he is sorely missed. And if you do already you might a little less.
I can't write a book review in a style he would approve of, or would have liked to! But there it is, hope it encourages you to read this great book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just finished the Peel biography and my eyes are still moist at the realisation that he really is no more yet I chortled out loud at some of the anecdotes, both his own and those of his wife. I defy anyone to read it and not hear it read in John's dry Liverpudlian tones in their heads. I just wish he'd been with us long enough to finish his own autobiog and then we could've had two books -- Peel's and Pig's. Hope there's some decent music up there mate.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Book in 2 Sessions
I listened breathlessly to the early 80's broadcasts of Peel on Radio 1. The main reason, it is not surprising, was the music he played: Always new, always unknown and always... Read more
Published 6 months ago by gonnemans
Margrave of the Marshes, John Peel
Having been an avid listener of John's shows over the years, and a great fan of his I was looking forward to reading this book. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Cr Moody
"It's our job to provide people with music they didn't know they...
It's difficult to say anything particularly insightful. The main point is that this is every bit as entertaining as
fans of John Peel could hope. Read more
fans of John Peel could hope. Read more
Published on 23 May 2010 by J. Patterson
Excellent Book
John Peel on himself - his humour, wit and knowledge, what more can one say!
Published on 17 May 2010 by Mrs. Mary D. Patrick
Eternal teenager?
John Peel was obviously an equable, natural sort of fellow who had, perhaps more than anyone a grasp of the spirit of the Pop/Rock Age. Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by David Jordan
Touching, Emotional and Full Of Great Stories
There's something that reaches the innermost of the soul when you know that the author of a book dies half way through. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by A. Marczak
Uneven but worth reading
It was John Peel who we all listened to in our teenage years when Punk exploded and I can still hear the resonance of his voice as he announces the next offering from Scritti... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2009 by Trevor Hunter
Am I alone? Apparently so
I used to listen to John Peel on Radio London's Perfumed Garden, and, like many ageing hippies, had a great deal of warmth and affection for a man who blazed the trail for so many... Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2009 by Chris Jones
John Peel honourably and entertainingly remembered
Talented radio DJ's are rather thin on the ground. There have been few that I have gone out of my way to tune in to and even fewer that I have ever wanted to know more about. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2009 by Peter H
A wonderful book about a wonderful man
I really enjoyed the book and it is very detailed. John had a good memory and he writes well. It was a shame that he did not finish but his wife Sheila helps to complete a very... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2008 by J. Pitt
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