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Book Review of The Verve: Bitter Sweet

The Verve: Bitter Sweet
The Verve: Bitter Sweet
Author: Philip Wilting
Book Type: Paperback
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This large format book was written by a fan of the band and makes for an interesting read (if you're a new/casual fan - probably doesn't have any special tidbits for long-term/serious fans). The author does a good job weaving together information from various magazine articles to create a portrait of the band and their personalities, and does not just focus on the drugs and drama, but also looks at their creative process, especially Richard's.

This book was clearly rushed to publication and there are many mistakes an editor would have caught - the graphic designer often attributes quotations to the wrong person, for example. Many of the photographs have quotations overlaying them, and are not as sharply printed as they could be. There are photos of other musicians and people relevant to the story, which helps put the book in context, and a number of alternately funny and touching stories about Richard's friendship with the Gallagher brothers. Has a discography at the back of the book.