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Born to Run cover art

Born to Run

By: Bruce Springsteen
Narrated by: Bruce Springsteen
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, December 2016 - Having grown up in New Jersey, it's not too much of a stretch to say that Bruce Springsteen was something of a spiritual force. His voice is synonymous with a powerful sense of place, and it bears a rugged, scrappy idealism that can make you feel patriotic and subversive at the same time. That's what makes this autobiography, written and performed by The Boss himself, nothing less than magical. It's not simply a story of his path to success or a philosophy of greatness but a marathon concert tell-all wherein he confronts demons of mental illness, poverty, and familial strife. It is nostalgic for a simpler time but urgent in its display of discipline and individuality. Ultimately, Bruce delivers with this audiobook what he has done for nearly five decades with his music: a celebration of the commonplace and the struggles of American life with candor, imagination, and purpose. —Michael, Audible Editor

Publisher's Summary

 Winner of the 2018 Audie Award for Autobiography/Memoir

"Writing about yourself is a funny business.... But in a project like this, the writer has made one promise: to show the reader his mind. In these pages, I've tried to do this." (Bruce Springsteen, from the audio of Born to Run

In 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the Super Bowl's halftime show. The experience was so exhilarating that Bruce decided to write about it. That's how this extraordinary autobiography began. 

Over the past seven years, Bruce Springsteen has privately devoted himself to writing the story of his life, bringing to this audio the same honesty, humor, and originality found in his songs. He describes growing up Catholic in Freehold, New Jersey, amid the poetry, danger, and darkness that fueled his imagination, leading up to the moment he refers to as "The Big Bang": seeing Elvis Presley's debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. He vividly recounts his relentless drive to become a musician, his early days as a bar-band king in Asbury Park, and the rise of the E Street Band. With disarming candor, he also tells for the first time the story of the personal struggles that inspired his best work and shows us why the song "Born to Run" reveals more than we previously realized. 

Born to Run will be revelatory for anyone who has ever enjoyed Bruce Springsteen, but this book is much more than a legendary rock star's memoir. This is a book for workers and dreamers, parents and children, lovers and loners, artists, freaks, or anyone who has ever wanted to be baptized in the holy river of rock and roll. Rarely has a performer told his own story with such force and sweep. Like many of his songs ("Thunder Road", "Badlands", "Darkness on the Edge of Town", "The River", "Born in the U.S.A.", "The Rising", and "The Ghost of Tom Joad", to name just a few), Bruce Springsteen's autobiography is written with the lyricism of a singular songwriter and the wisdom of a man who has thought deeply about his experiences. 

Author bio: Bruce Springsteen has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of 20 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He lives in New Jersey with his family. 

©2016 Bruce Springsteen (P)2016 Simon & Schuster Audio

What listeners say about Born to Run

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Born to tell a Story of an Amazing Life

Amazing story beautifully told. Bruce Springsteen gives so much from the heart and his story was told with such frank honesty. A must read.

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Inspirational!

16 hours flew by with poetry, self-reflection, humility, passion and humour - Bruce is a great artist and human being. It was a privilege to listen to his story.

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What makes The Boss tick

Not only a great read for fans of the Boss and the E Street band, this may just help aspirational singer song writers know they are not on their own. Hell it might just help get them to be where they want to be, you can learn a lot from an old dog. This old dog tells you what it took, male or female you need big kahunas to make this happen and make it last a life time. I'm glad he had what it took, he has been part of my life a long long time now. Keep rocking Bruce and the whole band past and present, thank you.

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just great

This quickly became one of my most favourite things I've ever read. A very heartfelt story.

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Amazing book

The first hour or so about his childhood drags somewhat. I felt it better at 1.25x but once he grabs his guitar at 16 there is more passion and feelings in his voice and it is a pleasure.

I hope you enjoy the book as much as me.

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Inspiring, Poetic, and Raw.

Springsteen is not only a true artist, but a deeply human, gloriously raw, and poetic writer.

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Superb

I genuinely think this is better than the printed edition because The Boss is reading it AND it includes music. His story is truly remarkable but it’s his personal insights into his own being/behavior/decisions that makes this book compelling listening. It’s no surprise that this audiobook has won awards.
Thoroughly recommend.

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raw, honest, special and flippinenjoyable!

loved it because it was honest and poignant with a similar childhood in parts and relationships. Thoughtful, encompassing and a riveting read. thank you Mr Bruce Sprinfsteen!

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Wow. Bruce has excelled yet again.

The honesty and integrity Bruce delivers, forces the listener to delve deep within and acknowledge ones own frailties.

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loved having Bruce telling me his story

Best autobiography i have listened to. It is just magic. He is so honest and real

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