Five against One by Kim Neely Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Five against One
Book Review: If you love Pearl Jam, read this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Kim Neely's "Five Against One: The Pearl Jam Story" in one night--it was absolutely engrossing. The book is well written, organized, thorough, and often surprising. The author debunks much of the popular mythology surrounding Eddie Vedder, offering instead the profile of a somewhat flawed, sometimes self-serving and always unpredictable "regular guy" who made his way to the top through determination and will rather than dumb luck.
I admit, I felt a little guilty reading the accounts of Eddie's past, especially those provided by his (step) father. I would caution readers to keep in mind that the author uses mostly second- and third-hand accounts to piece together her depiction of Vedder, and as far as I know, the singer was not involved in the creation of the book in any way. In fact, I found myself frequently wondering, as I read the book, how he would react to reading those accounts (and how I would react, if I were him!).
Although some of the accounts related in the book are unflattering to Vedder (and contradict his long-standing public persona), the author ultimately gives her readers a more realistic and human hero: an intelligent, ambitious, amiable, and hugely talented young man who, in his time--and ours--became a legend.
In addition to the compelling section devoted to Eddie Vedder, the book covers all aspects of Pearl Jam, from inception to stardom: its origin, the tours, the sudden and overwhelming popularity, the backlash, the battles (with Ticketmaster, other bands, MTV, and each other), and the uncertain road ahead.
No matter what interviews or biographies I read about Pearl Jam, I will always be loyal to the band--especially Eddie. I met him once accidentally, and he was very nice. No book will change my perception; however, I enjoyed this book immensely and wonder, now, how Eddie and the band feel about it. Perhaps they will publish an autobiography and set the record straight...?
Book Review: Loved it.
Summary: 5 Stars
A great book. Informative and with many "laugh out loud" stories about the band. I could not put it down. I have all the books about Pearl Jam, and this one is definitely the best.Book Review: Man Bites Dog More Interesting Than Other Way Around
Summary: 3 Stars
When you're a gifted writer, especially one with a reporter/journalist background, you tend to write about the things you think are most likely to get a reaction. That is, to generate buzzing press about someone, something, some issue. That is what Kim Neely has done with this intriguing novel about Pearl Jam. While Neely tells the story of how the band formed as Pearl Jam, following their much-publicized pre-history, she also opens wide the door to the chamber of Eddie Vedderism, or the science of dissecting the singer's psyche through delving into his past, exhibiting various behavioral tendencies, and even speaking to the very people in his life who would have much-less-than-flattering things to offer. In doing this, Neely creates a renewed fascination in a study in which most people would have otherwised stopped immersing by now. The book, published in 1998, devotes most of its attention to early Pearl Jam happenings and developments, and spends less and less time as the band's chronology progresses. As well, the book focusses almost exlusively on Vedder, almost as if to suggest that fans and critics worldwide would not be interested in knowing more about the other 7 members of Pearl Jam (including all drummers to have ever been involved with the band by 1998). While I enjoyed reliving all the defining moments in my love for Pearl Jam, and learing a bit more about the Dave Abbruzzese phenomenon, this petrie-dish treatment of Vedder was at times indulgent, too familiar, and tiring. Which leads me to restate my view on reporters, and question their motives in delivering the "news" the way Neely does in this book. For Part Two, "The Continuing Journey Into The Under Drawers of Eddie Vedder", scrapping info on Pearl Jam's enigmatic frontman in favour of some morsels of musical exploration, or even a sophmore-level seminar on the other band members would make this reader more charmed.Book Review: Neely Against Vedder: The Five Against One Story
Summary: 1 Stars
I have a hard time understanding how someone who is ostensibly both a journalist and a Pearl Jam fan could write something like "Five Against One". I could detect no journalistic integrity nor any love for the band in this book. "Five Against One" is not about the music of Pearl Jam, nor can it honestly be called "The Pearl Jam Story", despite the subtitle. While this book does contain some interesting facts about the band and its members, Neely's real goal seems to be to shoot down Eddie Vedder. The majority of the book reads like a malicious tabloid kiss-and-tell confessional.Book Review: Not received yet
Summary: 1 Stars
Hi,
I have not received this item yet, so I won't be able to give a review.
Regards,
Natasha