Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
35 used & new from £8.31

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith
 
 

Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith (Hardcover)

by Mark E. Smith (Author) "When I was five I used to go and sit with my next-door neighbour, Stan the pigeon guy, in his back garden ..." (more)
3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
RRP: £18.99
Price: £13.29 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £5.70 (30%)
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Only 5 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want guaranteed delivery by Tuesday, July 7? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details
25 new from £9.75 10 used from £8.31
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback £8.99 £6.29 29 used & new from £3.60

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with The Fallen: Searching for the Missing Members of The "Fall": Searching for the Missing Members of The Fall by Dave Simpson

Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith + The Fallen: Searching for the Missing Members of The "Fall": Searching for the Missing Members of The Fall
Price For Both: £24.68

Show availability and shipping details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Imperial Wax Solvent

Imperial Wax Solvent

~ The Fall
4.3 out of 5 stars (9)  £8.98
The Fallen: Searching for the Missing Members of The "Fall": Searching for the Missing Members of The Fall

The Fallen: Searching for the Missing Members of The "Fall": Searching for the Missing Members of The Fall

by Dave Simpson
3.9 out of 5 stars (8)  £11.39
Third

Third

~ Portishead
3.7 out of 5 stars (89)  £4.98
Joy Division [DVD] [2008]

Joy Division [DVD] [2008]

4.2 out of 5 stars (14)  £4.87
CSI: Ambleside

CSI: Ambleside

~ Half Man Half Biscuit
4.7 out of 5 stars (10)  £11.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Viking (24 April 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0670916749
  • ISBN-13: 978-0670916740
  • Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 89,513 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

  (What is this?)
E lives
   Peeplo.com/Top_Results    All About E lives E lives in One Site! 
  
 

Product Description

Andrew O'Hagan, The Observer
'Possibly the funniest music book ever written'


Product Description
Reams of stuff have been written about me in the past, but never in my own words: this is the proper one’ Mark E. Smith Still going after thirty years, The Fall are one of the most distinctive British bands, their music — odd, spare, cranky and circular — an acknowledged influence on The Smiths, The Happy Mondays, Nirvana and Franz Ferdinand. And Mark E. Smith IS The Fall. For the first time we get to hear his full, candid take on the ups and downs of a band as notorious for its in-house fighting as for its great music; and on a life that has endured prison in America, drugs, bankruptcy, divorce and the often bleak results of a legendary thirst.

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
When I was five I used to go and sit with my next-door neighbour, Stan the pigeon guy, in his back garden. Read the first page
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith
90% buy the item featured on this page:
Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith 3.4 out of 5 stars (16)
£13.29
The Complete Peel Sessions
3% buy
The Complete Peel Sessions 4.9 out of 5 stars (19)
£12.98
Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in Its Downfall
3% buy
Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in Its Downfall 4.0 out of 5 stars (18)
£9.09
Totally Wired: Postpunk Interviews and Overviews
2% buy
Totally Wired: Postpunk Interviews and Overviews
£7.49

 

Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (6)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.4 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Aspalls and The Fall, a deadly brew., 14 May 2008
Ive just come in from the garden on a particularly lovely May evening having finished both this biography and three bottles of Aspalls dry cider. (sorry if this lacks coherence)

I'm quite partial to both of them in moderation. Whilst the cider was very good but nothing new I must admit that I was hoping I gain something new fom reading this book.....a different insight and to world of the Fall and Mr Smith. Sadly that didn't happen.

Somewhere around the half way point I couldn't help reading between the lines about all the musicians he's sacked, voting tory, etc, etc. At this he starts to become the grating, misanthropic, reactionary drunkard in the corner of the pub strungling with his false teeth. This side of him soon wears thin and my subsequent interest in the book started to wain. However in the second half there are enough interesting anecdotes of him pulling himself out of impending oblivion and serious scrapes to keep most readers hooked. I also enjoyed his Lady Di, Beckham, Elton John, New-Labour bashing.

I can't forget that this is the man who has given us Sparta, Hit the North, Mr Phamacist and dozens of other stunning, witty, and insightful records over years and years. The over-riding power of this book is that M.E.S is rather like the character of Johnny in the film Naked: the down-trodden, intelligent, dissatisfied outsider looking in on society and commenting on the obvious broken mess around us that most people accept or don't even see. The Fall made really wonderful music. There's much about the tenacity in his life lived through the tough times pretty well described in the book that informs and often powers the music of the Fall.

No great revelations here but it will be a very sad day when he stops.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars The Man Whose Self-Pity Expanded, 23 Feb 2009
By Dave Gilmour's cat (on Dave Gilmour's boat) - See all my reviews
The Fall are possibly the greatest band of all time. They have released a great many wonderful, innovative, thrilling and life-changing albums. You should buy these - especially everything from 1979 (Dragnet) to 1986 (Bend Sinister) - when the gruppe literally could do no wrong.

This book is truly, embarrassingly awful: a petty, mean-spirited, utterly misguided rant about very little of any consequence. It is also - unforgivably - actually very boring, which is something I never expected from MES. The fact that he wastes so much paper slagging off old band members is plain sad. Instead of immortalizing them in print, he should get over it!

MES hates pretty much everything and everyone. While this makes him a vital force on record and onstage, it makes for an unbearably tedious 'memoir', with a surprising amount of self-pity and whinging. Where is the legendary grasp of language? Where is the wit? Where are the insights? Instead, he talks about watching Neighbours. This is a book without structure and without any good reason to exist.

'Renegade' (which should have been called 'And Another Gripe...') has the feel of a tossed off contractual obligation that took two wet Wednesdays to complete. Conveniently, MES can now blame its many faults on the ghostwriter.

On the plus side, The Fall's most recent album - Imperial Wax Solvent (2008) - is quite wonderful. Perhaps even their best for eight or nine years. I just wish he'd never agreed to publish this drab, sorry-for-itself, lifeless, will-sapping, myth-shattering, 'done-for-the-money' book.

If you are new to MES and have £15 to spend, treat yourself by buying Hex Enduction Hour and/or This Nation's Saving Grace. If you're feeling more wealthy, buy the Complete Peel Sessions box-set. It's amazing. But if MES ever approaches you in a pub and offers to regale you with tales about all those who've 'wronged' him, escape while you can. Run. Run fast!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Je ne regrette rien, 28 Oct 2008
By Mr. S. Bailey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
In the thirty years that The Fall has been extant the portrayal in the music press of lead singer Mark E. Smith has never ventured very far away from a cynical, caustic and curmudgeonly caricature. The few attempts at biography have done little to dislodge the`narky Mark' image. Take Simon Ford's well-intentioned, well-researched Hip Priest: The Story Of Mark E Smith and The Fall [2003]. Ultimately, it fails because of Smith's unwillingness to disclose anything to Ford; instead, he relies upon the many interviews Smith has conducted over the years. Therefore, Renegade should be hitting the reader with fresh, undiscovered material.

Sadly, it presents very few surprises to those who have found out about his personality through those interviews. Smith, like his fellow Mancunian Morrissey, has been remarkably forthright and engaging in those meetings with journalists. He has always provided good copy because he has never hidden his light under a bushel. Clearly, he is aware of this, as he acknowledges ("I've always looked at interviews as being an important part of the game"). Ergo, Renegade often evokes a sense of déjà vu. So, I was unsurprised when he disses musicians ("I've never met a guitarist I like really") and did not raise an eyebrow when he proclaims that he is always dissatisfied with the way in which things in life work themselves out (before adding "That's what keeps me going").

Renegade's text appears to be the result of conversations between Smith and his ghost-writer (Austin Collings). This has given the book a loose, conversational feel; it is similar in style and tone to Shane MacGowan and Victoria Clarke's A Drink With Shane MacGowan. That manifests itself in the way that the narrative drifts from discussing studio albums, gigs, line-ups and record company troubles into a variety of unexpected topics, including: the disappearance of Manchester's Victorian architecture, William Burroughs' motivations for writing or the drinking habits of Alex Higgins and George Best. It gives the autobiography the feel of an extended magazine feature, rather than a concerted attempt to tell Smith's story accurately and authoritatively.

Throughout the book is marked by Smith's candour. However, this honesty is not in the confessional spirit of the reformed alcoholic/drug/sex addict rock star attempting to atone or repent for his or her sins. To accusations of self-centredness he pleads guilty, but, points out that "It's as if I am the only one who's ever thought of themselves as the centre of this blue and green ball". The fate of ex-band members who have left, or have been sacked, is a matter of indifference to him ("They came, they saw... and now I no longer see them").The leitmotif of Renegade, if there is one, is surely `Je ne regrette rien'.

In the nice, polite world of alternative/'indie' rock Smith's fractious, unorthodox views can (occasionally) be refreshing. He is willing to be open and honest in his opinions about anything and everything, even if that offends. Speaking of The Fall's greatest champion, the late John Peel, he observes that he was "never a huge fan" of the DJ's radio shows, and "preferred it in the early 1970s". His criticisms of the The Clash's late front man Joe Strummer also highlight this plain-speaking. He argues, quite effectively, that "his politics were all over the place, bluster over substance". These and many other examples scattered through the book point to Smith's contrary spirit. As he observes in a moment of self-awareness, he is "trouble"; he is not "a fellow who can be reined in, given enough coercing". Perhaps this explains the dichotomy in the way he is received: he is perceived either as a misanthropic, reactionary drunk or as a national treasure.

Smith's hope with this autobiography was that it "turns out like Mein Kampf for the Hollyoaks generation". It fails in that grandiose aim. However, it is a diverting read which gives a number of interesting insights in to the psychology and philosophy of the man who was once humorously described by Echo and the Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch as "the most balanced person in the world - he's got a chip on both shoulders'.


Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm glad I didn't buy the hardback...
...which I nearly did. But this is an OK read as a disposable paperback. It feels like an extended interview: we don't get much from MES that we haven't heard already. Read more
Published 11 days ago by lifeclearout

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of a renegade priest.....
What can one say about Mark E. Smith? Wouldn't want to know him - sure as Hell wouldn't want to BE him - but I am glad that he exists! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. G. R. Ross

5.0 out of 5 stars does exactly what it says on the tin
Oh ye of little faith! Who could you possibly not want to imagine Mark and Elena curled up watching Corrie and Neighbours? The real Mr and Mrs Smith. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Maxwell

5.0 out of 5 stars Smith in his own words
Its great when when someone really interesting writes their own story in their own words, and they don't come a lot more interesting than Mark E Smith. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Craven

3.0 out of 5 stars What you'd expect but that's OK
Very chatty, frequently hilarious "autobiography" obviously delivered to some unfortunate transcriber in a pub at closing time. Read more
Published 7 months ago by G. J. Mcintyre

3.0 out of 5 stars You're not up to much
Well they say you should never meet your heroes, I would posit that this has never been more true then in the case of Mr Mark E Smith. Read more
Published 11 months ago by N. J. Tanner

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money
Would suggest die hard Fall fans put their uncritical acclaim for M.E.S to one side & have an objective look at this book - its a bit of a stinker... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ageing Cynic

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent biography
I have to declare an interest here - I'm named in the acknowledgements by the ghostwriter of this book, Austin Collings. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. Ian K. Travis

3.0 out of 5 stars Smell the whisky tang
This is undeniably an entertaining read but the memory has taken a battering over the years. He comes out with some ridiculous stuff like "I paid all the band the same as U2 were... Read more
Published 14 months ago by chepalle

5.0 out of 5 stars Curmudgeon speaks !
I devoured this in one sitting and loved every page of it. It'll never be thought of as a brilliant opus, but I feel sure I'll read it again very soon. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Wilf Trauma Spinach

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Look for similar items by subject


Feedback


Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

Discover Health & Beauty

 

Let Olay Amaze You

Olay Total Effects Day Moisturiser SPF15 50ml
Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

 

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Braun Series 3 390cc Clean & Renew System Rechargeable Foil Electric Shaver
Get in touch with your smooth side with Braun Series shavers, now with Gillette blade technology.

Discover Braun Series at Amazon.co.uk

 

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

Learn more about Gift Certificates

 
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates