Even dedicated Rush fans, who know their catalog inside and out and have absorbed Popoff's excellent 3-volume bio, will learn something new about our beloved band in this book.
I think this book is for Rush fans, although anyone open-minded enough to read it (Rush fan or not) can learn something about being an authentic human being. I suppose fans will have their "favorite" band member - mine happens to be Alex, not Neil. But the essential nature of Rush is what these three awesome guys did TOGETHER - for their fans, their families, and most of all themselves. All three of them are titans, and accomplished something unprecedented in the history of music. None of them, not even Neil, could have done that alone. So in my view, the band is the common denominator through which their individual characters, achievements, and contributions to human existence are best viewed and appreciated.
Dr. Birzer captures that texture perfectly. While Neil is the "main character" of the book and much of the analysis and anecdotes focus on him, I thought the book did a great job capturing the band dynamic and giving it its due and proper.
I would respectfully disagree with some criticisms I saw of the book, particularly those that take issue with the fact that Birzer often views Neil's life, work and writings through what one might deem a theological or "religious" (I hate that word) lens. Neil, as any fan knows, would be described more as a humanist - certainly not a religious person in the conventional sense, although I would argue a deeply spiritual one in the best sense of the word. Goodness is found in character, integrity, and the pursuit of perfection. Truth is universal, and may be found in the strangest places. Beauty takes effort, intention, and talent to create. Neil Peart produced more goodness, truth and beauty in his life than countless people ever will regardless of their theology. That's good enough for me.
In summary - this book is a must-read for all Rush fans, and even people too unsophisticated and dull (or too COOL) to be counted as one may yet be brought into the fold by an open-minded look at this excellent work from a gentleman and a scholar. Enjoy!
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Reviews with images
A fun, inspiring read reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard. John Carter and Dejah Thoris on steroids!
Traditionally graphic novels are created in tribute to already established series to spread their message, to bring delight and to open new worlds to both those passionate about reading but also to reluctant readers. Let me preface this so I do not offend…I use graphic novels in my classroom to open new worlds to my students and to show them the power and influence of the written word and the power of art. Colt the Outlander was originally created by the Aradio Brothers for Heavy Metal Magazine. Quincy J. Allen has taken on the challenge to write a full length novel about the adventures of Colt and his two kick-ass women partners Jenna and Brem (think Lara Croft and Nyssa al Ghul). If you have had the pleasure of reading any of Quincy’s other novels and short stories (The Blood War Chronicles, Chemical Burn, short stories in The Monster Hunter Files, Out Through the Attic, The Best of Penny Dread Tales…) you know like Jenna and Brem, Quincy “Kicked Ass” in bringing the adventures of Colt The Outlander: Shadow of Ruin to life. Non-stop action on a brutal planet (Neb-6) where bounty hunters Colt, Jenna and Brem hunt the scum of the galaxy. Old school romp of adventure where the characters are welcome archetypes that stand for the grit and integrity that is missing in a lot of fictional heroes today. Graphic details, strong female characters, fresh metaphors, a mysterious savior (The Cahoka), a tribe of feline warriors, and evil AI robots to defeat. A fun, inspiring read reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard. John Carter and Dejah Thoris on steroids! Hopefully this is only the beginning of a continuing series. So many unanswered questions to pursue…who was Brem before she teamed up with Colt? What caused the “Great Darkness”? and what about Lazarius’ warning, “The shadow of ruin may yet guide our fate and lead us into oblivion.” Finally, I want to know more about the Creed people!***There is an excellent glossary of terms at the back of the book that help creates a feigned history that brings Colt and his companies’ adventures to life.
Top reviews from other countries
Photos n Frets
I enjoy all of the writings dealing with Neil Peart.
Reviewed in Canada on December 9, 2023
Kindle Customer
An encouraging read of a sobering future
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2020
paul nelson
Murder is Rife in the Borderlands
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2014