Buy used:
$24.77
$3.99 delivery May 16 - 17. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by HPB-Diamond
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Bradley J. Birzer
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Neil Peart: Cultural Repercussions: An in-depth examination of the words, ideas, and professional life of Neil Peart, man of letters. Paperback – September 10, 2015

by Bradley J. Birzer (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 182 ratings
See all formats and editions
Though Neil Peart is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest living drummers, few studies have been devoted to his writings. Yet, Peart is very much a man of his words. He writes lyrics, travelogues, short stories, essays, and books of cultural criticism. In terms of his cultural impact, he is also one of North America’s greatest living men of letters. The themes he offers in his writings are timeless: philosophy, journeys, growth, exploration, excellence, art, satisfaction, happiness, religion, politics, individualism, expression, natural history, cultural criticism, life, love, loss, redemption, and beauty. Peart wants every person to persevere through individual trials, and find his or her unique gifts and abilities and, ultimately, true happiness. Most tellingly, Peart does not just profess such things, he has lived them and continues to live them. Never satisfied with second best or any form of defeat, Peart challenges himself time and time again to live up to his own philosophy. And he has succeeded through great personal adversity and, at times, irrational professional jealousy of and hatred toward him, and he has always succeeded through grace.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    178 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 10, 2015
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.45 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1614753547
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1614753544
  7. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ WordFire Press (September 10, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 178 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1614753547
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1614753544
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.45 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 182 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Bradley J. Birzer

Bradley J. Birzer

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

I hold the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and am Professor of History at Hillsdale College, Michigan. I proudly serve on the boards of the Free Enterprise Institute and The Center for Cultural Renewal. I am also happily a “Fellow” and/or “Scholar” with the The American Conservative, Foundation for Economic Education, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, The McConnell Center for Public Policy, the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, and the Center for Economic Personalism (Brazil). In 2010, I co-founded The Imaginative Conservative website with Winston Elliott, and, I also write for Ignatius Insight, Catholic World Report, Townhall, and The American Conservative. In 1990, I earned my B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and, in 1998, I earned my PhD from Indiana University. I have had the great privilege to study with such excellent scholars as R. David Edmund, Bernard Sheehan, Russ Hanson, Anne Butler, Walter Nugent, Greg Dowd, and Marvin O’Connell. I am author of several books and scholarly articles. Most importantly, though, my lovely wife (Dedra) and I have seven children and two cats. We split our time between Hillsdale, Michigan, and FairPlay, Colorado.

For the 2014-2015 school year, I has the wonderful honor of being the “Scholar in Residence” and “Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy,” University of Colorado-Boulder.

I have lots of loves: human liberty and dignity; baking; cooking; playing Legos with my kids; hiking and backpacking; good writing; Christian Humanism; Batman and DC Comics; Frank Miller and Dark Horse Comics; Apple products; and progressive rock and progressive jazz.

I've also been an Amazon.com customer since the fall of 1997.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
182 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mr. Twisted
5.0 out of 5 stars Anything by Brad Birzer is great, but c'mon -- this is Neil Peart!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
I think the greatest part about this book is that Brad Birzer took time out of his busy professor-life of researching ancient books and their wisdom (to make it easier for the rest of us) to write a book about a modern icon of Western music. Neil Peart was (RIP -- may his memory be eternal) easily one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and yet received far less praise than others. I'm sure this was to Neil's liking, as he was a private guy, but for those of us who grew up being inspired by the master percussionist and lyricist, this book is a welcome treat.

I'm not going to give you a bunch of details about what's inside the pages because I don't have to. If you're even remotely a fan of Rush and, specifically, their lyrics, then you need to buy this book and read it. Now. If you're not, well then you definitely need to read it so you can understand what you're missing. Right now.

Neil left us with a lot of wisdom, and Birzer does a fantastic job of opening a window so the light shines brighter on it.

In this one of many possible worlds
All for the best or some bizarre test?
It is what it is and whatever
Time is still the infinite jest

You'll be missed, Neil Peart. Thank you to Brad Birzer for reminding us of the depth of his talent.
14 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Steven M. Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo to Brad Birzer for a taught, readable intellectual biography of Peart
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
Theirs is a terrific book about a very interesting and accomplished man. Birzer is clearly a fan of Peart’s and Rush but he still manages to evaluate the band and Peart as an intellectual objectively. Anyone who wants to know more about Peart, his intellectual
Influences, and the arc of his career should read this fine little book.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A nice, and huge, work.
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
Like the book....helped me to better understand the band, the way the worked and made their music, and as percussionist, to know even better Mr. Peart.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Don Christian
5.0 out of 5 stars Great take on a cultural icon.
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
A great read for any Rush fan. Insightful and thorough. I have always liked reading along with the lyrics to all of their albums, but Birzer still hit on some things that never occurred to me previously.

The only fault I could find was when he gushed a little bit at times, but who among us Peart fans doesn't occasionally do the same thing? Hardly an indictable offense!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to anyone who has ever had an appreciation for Peart in particularly or rush in general. I particularly liked Birzer's inclusion of Peart's books, as I have read them all at least once.
10 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Paul Canz
5.0 out of 5 stars Neil was awesome
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
If your a fan all neil’s books are great he was a unique authentic and self educated man with lots of talent and a very interesting perspective, this particular book breaks a lot of it down record by record
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Christopher Hanson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great drummer.
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book gives an in depth look at behind the scenes of rock and rolls greatest drummer, Dr Neil Peart.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Gail Kiely
5.0 out of 5 stars well written
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
it was well written with great attention to detail. Any Neil Peart fan or Rush fan will appreciate this respectful and insightful well researched book.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dune
4.0 out of 5 stars My drum influence
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Well written, first went to Rush in 1987 Nashville TN,
Hold your fire tour fell in love .
Neil is the backbone of them and now the ride is over
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
PAULO FERNANDES MACHADO
5.0 out of 5 stars A Show of Words
Reviewed in Brazil on December 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
A deep dive into Peart's and Rush's work. A powerful tool to help undesrtand and even expand one's knowledge on everything written and told by and about the man and his work.
Even not being an english native speaker, it's been quite easy to catch the ideas and facts exposed in this work.
Report
Chuck
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
Couldn't put the book down, granted I've been a RUSH fan and appreciate their works and dedication right from the early days. However written well with unique insights 5 star!!
Report
Miss Flower's
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative about the wonderful and beautiful Soul Neil Peart
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Have been reading ad exploring Rushes albums and Pearts writing and very informative and enlightening lyrics for over 20 years.This books makes you want to research and every page in a treasure of discourse. Very sadly Peart has passed on. And will be missed by this world and all those who are curious and fascinated by this life and the world we live in and its constructs and so on. Worth the spend and I highly recommend a large cuppa and a cozy sofa...great book.
Report
Rosefish
4.0 out of 5 stars Neil Peartの研究
Reviewed in Japan on January 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
本書はRushの「歌」の世界を歌詞づくりで支えて来た、man of letters（歌詞だけでなく様々な書籍の）としてのNeil Peartの創作・発言を検討し、その考のコア、根源となった思想を考えてみようという研究本です。Neilの歌詞や、彼や他のメンバー、関係者やメディア記者の語録といった事実・公開情報に著者の分析を交えながら、年代を追ってRushの音楽性とNeilのメッセージについて述べてます。著者はAmazonでもトールキンの研究書などの著書の見つかる歴史学の教授で、さすがに学術的なアプローチですが、ここでの著者はあくまでRushの一ファンです。だから私も肩肘張らずに読めました。

面白いのはRushの進化を以下のように表現していることです（アルバム名が略称ですみません）。

Rush 1.0 Rush
Rush 2.0 FBN, COS, 2112, AFTK, Hemi
Rush 2.1 PeW, MP, Sig, GUP, PoW, HYF
Rush 2.2 Presto, RTB, CP
Rush 2.3 T4E
Rush 3.0 VT, FB, S&A, CA

それぞれの時期の音楽性の変遷、アルバム、楽曲のレビュー、歌詞の分析はぜひ本で読んでみてください。

著者の見るNeilは一貫した個人主義者。それは、個人の行動は本人が決め本人が責任を負うということです。自由意志。だから、やると決めた事には徹底的にフォーカスする。その結果として勝ち得た本業たるドラマー、リリシストとしての人気・評価・影響力は言うまでもなくロック界のオールタイムベストの域にありますし、Buddy Richトリビュート、小説Clockwork Angelsなどバンドメンバーの誰よりも多彩な課外プロジェクトへの入れ込みぶり、完成度の高さにもそれが表れています。しかしまた、才能と努力で全てをねじ伏せようというのでもなく、変えようのない運命は運命として受け入れ、環境の中でベストを尽くすのが人生の意味であるとの考えもうかがえます。

運命といえば、上記のRush 2.3から3.0への変遷の時期、Neilを襲った過酷な運命、絶望と回復の過程を追いかけた部分は、著者ご本人の人生イベントとの二重写しという記述で、覚悟していた以上に読んでいて感情を揺さぶられました。それだけにVTツアー初日のコネティカット州ハートフォードでのNeilとRushの復活証明、そして"After the performance -- one of the most glorious returns in the history of music -- the three men did something they had never done before. They hugged for nearly 10 minutes."のくだりは読んでいて涙を禁じえませんでした。

著者がNeilの歌詞の中で最も示唆的なものの一つと言う"We're only immortal for a limited time. (Dreamline)"は、私も一番好きな（混じり気のない真理を感じる）フレーズです。本場の、本物インテリのファンと意見の合う俺、偉い、とほくそ笑む似非インテリの私ですが、著者の見解では、Rushは知性と善意と目的意識のある北米ミドルクラスのヒーローであり、ロックスターが陥りがちなインモラルの穴に落ちることもなかった、特別な才がプラスされているがあくまで普通の人達。その普通さがアピールしているのだと。思うに、この普通さこそが、Rolling Stone誌など、よりアートアートしたとんがったアイコンを求めるカルチャー誌から無視されてきた所以でもあるのでしょうね。しかし、より良いものを普通に追い求めて、ひたすらに続けてきた彼らだけが（ほとんど類を見ないですよ）多くの一発屋二発屋達を尻目に40年プラスを生き延びてきたわけです。そして著者が言うように、今、彼らを軽んじてきた年長ライターは老人ホーム暮らし、Rushを応援してきたファンはビジネスや科学や政府や芸術の世界を引っ張る位置にいて、Rushはその発言がロック界のベテラン世代を代表するものと受け止められる存在となったのです。まだまだこれからも続けて欲しいですね。

現時点での最新スタジオアルバムであるClockwork Angelsから、早いもので5年近くが経ちました。昨年、大規模なコンサートツアーからの引退を発表したRush。創作意欲に問題はなさそうなので、ゆっくりペースだとしても今後もアルバムは出してくれると思いますが、ひとまずここまでの偉大な40年（以上）の歩みを讃え、そのほとんどをリアルタイムのファンとして過ごせた自分の幸運に感謝します。こうした関連書籍をじっくり紐解いてみる時間も我々ファンにはあるのですし。
4 people found this helpful
 Report
jim sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Excellent read for the true rush fan
Report