Writing Gordon Lightfoot: The Man, the Music, and the World in 1972

I did not hate this book as did the previous reviewers. I actually think the author writes well and amusingly and, really, this book turns out to be a meditation on 1972 in Canada and Gordon Lightfoot's place in that changing time. I believe the author's heart is in the right place in his mediations on Lightfoot but, as he himself admits, he is speculating pretty wildly (but sympathetically) here. I guess I think the greatest value of this book is that it brings into sharp relief the need for a true, comprehensive biography of Gordon Lightfoot, given his important place in Canadian cultural history. It's actually shocking that no such book exists, given the plethora of books (some really awful) about every epoch in Bob Dylan's life and even the good selection of books on Leonard Cohen, who, I submit, is about equally important as Gordon Lightfoot (and I say that as a big fan of both artists). I wondered: Maybe Bidini is trying to encourage Lightfoot to cooperate with someone in that effort. Anyway, don't buy this book hoping for a biography of Gordon Lightfoot; it is not that (in fact, I don't recall that the author ever even told us what music he played at Mariposa in 1972). If you read it, read it as an document meditating on a changing era, with Lightfoot as a key representative of that time. All in all, I think it was a pretty interesting read, with that in mind.

I do not remember reading a worse book than this. It is disjointed and completely unintelligent. I read each chapter hoping that the next chapter would finally turn into what the book was supposed to be about. Unfortunately, nothing ever happened. In fact, having now completed it, I can honestly say that the book is about absolutely nothing. Worse still, it is an annoying, inarticulate read! The book has little or nothing to do with Gordon Lightfoot and the author's comments about him are marginally accurate and shallow. Don't be fooled into thinking that this book has anything tangible to do with Lightfoot, the Canadian music scene in 1972 or indeed anything else in 1972. If you want to waste your money (as unfortunately I did), this book could be the perfect place! Save the money you would waste on this book and give it to charity.

Very interesting look at Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian culture, and some of the events of the early '70s. The book is both entertaining and informative.

This book is a sham. You will learn nothing new about Gordon or his music. The author states throughout the book that he doesn't know this or that about what really happened or what Gordon thinks because Gordon won't talk to him. His solution? He makes stuff up! this is not a Lightfoot biography. Using his name in the title is a bait and switch tactic. Total waste of time and money.

If you are interested in music, history and culture, and not everyone is, and are not thinking this is a straight ahead biography, which you should not, you will find this book to be highly engaging.Bidini weaves a literary tapestry around the life of Gordon Lightfoot and the 1972 Mariposa Folk Festival. No one lives in a vacuum and the people and events of the early 70's are no exception. The connection between these events and other events, real and "imagined," happening at the same time give this book a deep and rich texture.I completely enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Your money back if not completely satisfied (right, Mr. Bidini?). Offer valid in 11 provinces and 49 states - - sorry, Tennessee.

the author talks mostly about his own feelings about Gordon Lightfoot, with no actual substance that is factual. It should be called "letters I wrote to GL in my head" The book is very poorly written and has distasteful, vulgar language that takes away from any possible enjoyment reading this. It is trash and shouldn't have been published andmarketed as having any connection to Lightfoot. Oh, and nothing not already known about Gord.I have been a Lightfoot fan for 30 years, have everything he ever recorded, been to more concerts than I can count and perform alot of his tunes...... I threw this book away half way through reading it.

This book is meant to be an "unauthorised biography" - or that is what I anticipated. A biography, it is not. This is a badly-written ramble through the past, mostly the past of the author and his era. It is not even interesting.Perhaps if I had've had the patience to finish this book, I might have learnt something of interest about Gordon Lightfoot - but it was just too hard to wade through the waffle.Don't bother even trying.

More fiction than fact. Poorly written and a waste of time and money. IMO Mr. Bidini has a grudge against Lightfoot and is envious of his continued success.

Wasn't what I thought, however it was quite interesting, placed you in 1972 and I liked knowing what was going on in general, could have had more on Gordon Lightfoot but ythe author did a decent job .

Not much about Lightfoot (for reasons that become obvious, as the narrative progresses) but an interesting "record" of a fascinating summer....