David Bowie Is (The Official V&A Exhibition Book): (E) (Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago: Exhibition Catalogues)

I am a big Bowie fan and have a ton of books about him. Created as a companion to the exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this is one of the best. Several reasons: 1. The exhibition was given full access to the official David Bowie Archive which means there is plenty of material you have not seen before, such as handwritten lyrics with corrections (that line in "Heroes", "and we kissed as though nothing could fall", was drafted as "and we kissed and you felt called"), minor details maybe but it is fascinating to get a glimpse at how these songs evolved. There is also a big focus on costumes, photographed in superb quality, many of which are stunning, as well as photographs, posters, artwork done for album covers complete with some early mock-ups and that I have not seen before, and other memorabilia. One costume example is Natasha Korniloff's "cobweb bodysuit" designed for the 1980 Floor Show, which has a pair of hands clutching Bowie's chest stitched into it. First we see Mick Rock's photo of Bowie wearing this on stage, then pictures of the costume itself. Fantastic. 2. This is not just a picture book. There is a lot of text, and it's good stuff. The authors are various, but the editors are Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh from the V&A, who take a scholarly approach though they still convey enthusiasm for their subject (and overall this is a book for fans, there is not much here that is negative). There is a lot of factual information though, both biographical and cultural. The cultural bit is important. As you would expect from people working for a museum, the editors are interested in how Bowie was influenced by the culture of his times, and in turn how he influenced it. The book is organized into nine main chapters. These are as follows: - Astronauts of Inner Spaces: by Geoffrey Marsh, mainly covers early career in London - Theatre of Gender: by Camille Paglia, covers Bowie and sexual revolution - Oh you pretty things: by Jon Savage, about Bowie and youth culture - Putting out fire with Gasoline: by Victoria Broackes, covers bowie and design, costumes, album covers and more - Bowie Music: by Howard Goodall, about the music, pictures of lyrics and sheet music - For 'We are the Goon Squad': by Christopher Breward, about the album covers - Changes: by Oriole Cullen, an essay on Bowie and fashion - David Bowie then ... David Bowie now: a roundtable discussion with Christopher Frayling, Philip Hoare and Mark Kermode. Wide-ranging, enjoyable. - David Bowie is Photographic: by Nicholas Coleridge, short piece on 16 favourite photographs, reproduced in small size on a single page. Most if not all of these pictures are properly reproduced elsewhere, but there are no page references which is a shame. 3. The production is superb. Stitched binding, fabric-covered spine, interesting textured feel to the cover, and excellent reproduction of the pictures. Some of the early pictures are not so good, but this is because of the quality of the originals (or the best copy that was available to the publishers). Having said all that, some Bowie fans may find the text over-scholarly; I can imagine some finding it pretentious though personally I would disagree. Not a problem though, ignore the text if you don't like it and just enjoy the images. Anything to criticise? Well, bear in mind that the book was done along with the exhibition, and reflects the content that is there. It is not in any sense a comprehensive Bowie book. The text does tend to focus on the early years which is fair enough since this is when Bowie was culturally most influential, but you could say that it is unbalanced. As you will note from the above guide to the chapters, the book is not chronological but rather, loosely thematic. A bit confusing, and it means that if you want, for example, all the material relating to the Thin White Duke era, you have to look here there and everywhere. None of this troubles me in the least. The book exceeded my expectations and is essential for fans (and easier to get than a ticket for the exhibition). Sometimes these exhibition-related books do not stay in print for all that long, so I recommend grabbing it quick.

Bought this as a holiday gift for my brother, who saw and was dazzled by the Bowie exhibit in NYC before it settled in London. He was thrilled as it includes much more detail and images than the US catalog. And it arrived quickly!

Delighted to open the door on the Saturday to find this book arrived ahead of the estimate, the order had already been amended to arrive earlier on Monday the 25th March... the very day I was going to visit the exhibition behind this book! I bought this book as no photography is permitted at the exhibition and I wanted to have a permanent reminder of the day, torturous as it was, I resisted opening it before my visit!... its worth noting that here is a lot at the exhibit to take in, its vast and overwhelming and this book is gives you a more leisurely chance to look at anything you missed or couldn't absorb at the time, but don't get me wrong, this is a book that can be totally appreciated as a stand alone piece. Speaking as a Bowie fan, I would recommend this book to any Bowie fan, beautifully photographed, well bound and larger than A4 in stature its an impressive weighty tome, I'm guessing it will be a firm fave gracing manys a coffee table, BUT this is more than just a 'pretty picture book' , in my opinion it is more insightful and significant than most 'Bowie biogs' which we usually find rehashing a lot of second hand words and the same old quotes and misquotes. Although I haven't had a chance to read all the text yet, just on pictorial merit alone, I see enough of a glimpse of Bowies past captured in highly relevant freeze frames telling his unique story in a 'speaks for itself' unique kind of way which I truly appreciate, this is a fine representation of a vast, archived collection, gathered during a huge portion of a mans lifetime, illustrating a widely varied career simply like no other. David Bowie is... many things to many people. David Bowie is... beautifully presented David Bowie is... Future History and this book recognises that.

Excellent Bowie book of his V&A exhibition. I have been to the exhibition in 2013 and have the hard back copy as well. Best price at Amazon and fast delivery

This is the book put together by the V&A in part for there exhibition put on in 2013 I believe full of great pictures facts and stories from the people around Bowie

If you are intending to go to see the exhibition at the V & A or not, then you need this book. It in a nutshell, it contains photos, many close up, of all the main exhibits at the museum. From all the early 'Ziggy' costumes through to the one's he wore for the Reality tour via a breathtaking section based around the Diamond Dogs tour. As no photographs are allowed to be taken at the V & A, this is the closest you will get to seeing these items again. Apart from original lyrics shown full page, and costumes mentioned above, you also get plenty of original period photos, and documents relating to stage productions, etc. My favourite photo is of the original; model of the Diamond Dogs set. As that tour didn't come to the UK, most of us have rarely even seen photos of the set, let alone a working model ! The hardback edition of the book has a lovely velvet feel to both the front and back cover. The book overall is huge, and like the man himself, beautiful.

This is a very good book although there are some explicit images in it that I wasn't prepared for however I went to the exhibition which was totally amazing so this is a nice reminder of that.

I have never reviewed anything that I have bought before, but having looked at this book it made me decide to break my duck. I have only just received it this morning and as somebody else said what a year to be a Bowie fan. I was very surprised on opening the box as having only seen the book in a picture I never really thought about the size, although if somebody had asked me I would of said, I think its the size of a smallish hard backed book. Boy was i wrong it is huge!.I have only had time to flick through quickly but from what I have seen it is well worth the discounted price, in fact it is worth the recommended retail price, that's how good it is. There are some great photos of the different Bowie stage costumes, that are in the V+A museum show,and various others from different stages of DB's extraordinary career, I am sure I will find a lot more tonight when I sit down to have a good look. This is a very very well put together book, and I now cant wait to go to the exhibition and see it all first hand. If you are going to the show, buy this book it is a must, in fact if you are not a DB fan and you are not going to the show,this book is still a must! Only problem is you might kick yourself for discovering DB 40 years to late!!.

David Bowie is 大回顧展 記憶反芻用に購入しました。 展示と全く同じではないのですが 内容の濃さは天下一品！ 見応え充分 何度も繰り返しページをめくりたくなる ファンには堪らない一冊です。 価格は復刻版より かなりリーズナブル 観賞用 保存用に 二冊は欲しくなります。

Bela obra. Livro completo, bonito, rico em figuras e memorabilia. Altamente recomendável para apreciadores da música e obra de David Bowie.

Premetto di aver acquistato la versione inglese per poter fruire dell'opera così come è stata concepita, non avendo il sottoscritto problemi alcuni con la lingua inglese. E' un libro fotografico ma ci sono delle lunghe ed interessanti digressioni sulle fasi principali della carriera e della vita dell'artista. Il focus è ovviamente la mostra itinerante "David Bowie is..." , che da oramai quasi 5 anni gira il globo esportando i costumi, le ambientazioni e la musica del grande artista inglese. Mi sento di consigliarlo a tutti i fan dell'artista ma più in generale agli amanti del rock/pop/glam. 5 stelle ***** perché il libro è di ottima fattura anche tattile, oltre a presentare contenuti interessanti, e figura benissimo nella libreria di qualsiasi appassionato di musica

Difficile de "résumer" l'immense David BOWIE avec toute sa personnalité et son talent immense ! Pour qui veut découvrir l'homme aux multiples facettes, ce magnifique album est indispensable. Très belle réalisation, superbes illustrations avec des photos bien choisies. Et en outre, pour ceux qui ont eu la chance de voir en 2014 ou 2015 l'exposition qui lui a été consacrée (Londres, Paris, etc...) quel bonheur de revivre ces émotions en images !

Ein Must Have für alle Bowie Fans.