Born to Run

Written by Bruce Springsteen

Narrated by Bruce Springsteen

The revealing, wildly entertaining, and bestselling memoir from the legendary Bruce Springsteen, one of the greatest songwriters and performers of any era. Born to Run is the greatest rock ‘n’ roll story ever told.

Essential reading for the 50th anniversary of Springsteen’s seminal album Born to Run, the long-awaited release of Nebraska ’82, and a companion to the acclaimed film Deliver Me from Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong, about the writing and recording of Springsteen’s classic Nebraska record.

Following his 2009 Super Bowl halftime performance, Bruce Springsteen privately devoted himself to writing the story of his life. The result is “an utterly unique, endlessly exhilarating, last-chance-power-drive of a memoir” (Rolling Stone) that offers 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.

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 USA,” “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.

“Both an entertaining account of Springsteen’s marathon race to the top and a reminder that the one thing you can’t run away from is yourself” (Entertainment Weekly), Born to Run is much more than a legendary rock star’s memoir. This book is a “a virtuoso performance, the 508-page equivalent to one of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s famous four-hour concerts: Nothing is left onstage, and diehard fans and first-timers alike depart for home sated and yet somehow already aching for more” (NPR).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Dec 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781508224235

Bruce Springsteen

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 twenty Grammy Awards, the Academy Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He lives in New Jersey with his family. His latest work, together with Barack Obama, is Renegades: Born in the USA, a candid and entertaining collection of conversations that expand on their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast.

Reviews for Born to Run

[Miriam Samet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Bruce's memoir reads like poetry, feels like a well worn pair of jeans. He goes from his childhood filled with love, support, his father's crippling mental illness and unfathomable poverty to his rise to becoming an American icon. His fans will hear his voice as they read, knowing many of the stories from his concerts. He displays incredible humility but understands why he got where he is. His love for family and his appreciation for his fans comes through. Great story describing his unimaginable rise to superstardom. Must read for fans and anyone who enjoys a story of hard work leading to success.

[Martin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is amazing! It ranks among the best books I've ever read. And to have it read aloud by The Boss himself makes it even more special. I can highly recommend it.

[Klaas Bakker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I first tried to read it, I struggled with the tediously slow beginning. This audiobook read by the legend himself made clear that this beginning was essential for the rest of his journey.

The relationship with his parents, his dad's illness, his own struggles, the love for and dedication to music.

Wow, just wow.

[n0ty0urcuppatea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've had this book since it was published, but didn't get around to reading it until after I saw Springsteen's "On Broadway" Netflix Special. I would have liked more insight into his songwriting process, but that clearly isn't the book he wanted to write. What is here is faultless. Possibly the best rock autobiography I've read. Recommended.

[Anthony Crowley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best always The Boss well narrated with heart.

[Shane Mooney · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was perfect. Thank you Bruce. Always great company. Sensational.

[marcello_324836275 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I live in Jersey but I wasn’t a Springsteen fan until I heard him read his fascinating life story in the book “Born to Run.” What poetry, what insight, what a triumph! God bless you , Bruce!

[Paola Hernandez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing life The Boss has led, I found his writing to be profound, sad and joyful at the same time. The last chapters has me crying.

[seandel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure how it would compare to having read the book, but the audiobook format for this biography made for an amazing, intimate, and riveting experience. it feels like having taken a cross country trip with Springsteen where he tells you all about his life. Try the first chapter and see if it doesn't get you hooked.

[Joan Birnie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved the words & the way Springfield uses them. He draws a picture & give an emotion for each paragraph. So glad I listened to the audio. His voice was great telling his story.

[Ron Brewington · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Bruce Springsteen is an incredible storyteller. His songs are stories about our Americana. He admits that he's never worked (as we know it) a day in his life but he sure has observed it and told it.
I will listen to this book again and I will tell about it.

[Michelle Tholen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was heartwarming, down to earth, loved hearing about the beginning of his career. It’s worth a listen!!!

[Joanne Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been a life long fan and it was such a gift to listen to Bruce’s story told in his own voice. He is a natural story teller and his candor in sharing “the good, the bad and sometimes not so pretty” aspects of his life made this literary experience very real. I didn’t think it possible, but I’m an even greater fan now after listening to this book. Bruce is a talented wordsmith.

[M. Bronzan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I appreciate the honesty with which Bruce described his journey, struggles, and successes. I've enjoyed his music all my life, but now that I know the back story... how it all happened, my respect for him as a human being has grown exponentially. Thank you, Bruce.

[eritreantrashy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Its interesting :) .

[EricOhlson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This a gift from Bruce to his fans. He lays it all out as best he can and gives us great insights into the life experiences that made him who he is and into his creative process that demands a lot of himself and those around him. A joy to listen to!

[Charly Urban · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

great book. who doesn't love the BOSS. Such a unique background that gave this diminutive guy with a guitar on his back and a hand full of songs to become one of the most popular people on this planet. he is America's David Bowie. I highly recommend this book.

[mai2mislang · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I did NOT want this to end. I feel like a part of me is leaving. What an incredible person.

[jimmygster · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best musician autobiographies I've listened to or read.

[Gavin Rhys Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome and insightful audiobook, kept me company in my forge.

[nlevesley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing insight into one of our generation's great musical minds

[Linda Pattullo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was read by Himself and that is always better, I really enjoyed listening to his story

[Mark Dames · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, Bruce's narration makes it that much better. Recommended.
He seems to have been coherent every waking moment of his life.

[lisa connolly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel like i got to know him better. Thanks

[paulahart-60603 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was a little hard to get into, he's an honest writer but prone to rambling. It took me about 200 pages to start to enjoy the book and even then I skimmed over a lot of stuff. I admire Springsteen's willingness to discuss his relationships with his father and the women in his life and I was surprised to learn about his struggles with depression.

[schneider_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Should be titled Born to Write! Man this guy has a talent for writing. What can I say, he's the Boss, always has been (even though it was quite the rough start) and always will be. Read by the man himself as well. Just excellent. Highly recommended.

[fattima-295761 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good but a better song writer. Interesting though didn't make me warm to him as an individual. Get the feeling Patti's put up with a lot!

[tobinelliott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Let me throw out two things, right off the top. The first is, I am, at best, a very, very mild Springsteen fan, at best, and personally, I haven't had much interest in anything of his since Tunnel of Love. The second is, I goddamned loved this book.

There's a whole bunch of reasons for that.

The first is—and let's be real, it's a well-known fact that most famous people's biographies are ghostwritten by someone with some talent, not the famous person—but this book was stunningly well-written. If it was a ghostwritten, then bravo to that nameless soul. But, this is one I could see Bruce taking on himself. Either way, the level of craftmanship with the actual writing is way, way up there.

Second is the actual subject matter. I tend to groan when I start a biography, simply because I know I'll have to suffer through the subject's childhood and awkward adolescence, blah blah blah. With this one, I was flat out riveted from the first page, and wanted to hear more and more about ten-year-old Bruce's life. Yeah, it's that good.

Now, that's not to say that it's perfect when it comes to covering everything in Bruce's life. He tends to stick directly to himself, where I would have loved to have heard his thoughts on things like Manfred Mann's two big covers from his first album. He covered Spirits in the Night and, even bigger, the phenomenal Blinded By The Light. Nothing. He also never mentions Patti Scialfa's album. His own wife? Come on!

There are also times where you can actually feel him tiptoeing around some dicey topics involving his E Street Band members, and some other personalities, but I get that he's also not out to burn anyone.

Third, while still somewhat on the topic of subject matter, I'm impressed that he's both honest and open about his and his family's mental illness issues, and that he didn't write a "I fucked this person, then I fucked that person, then I played this concert..." He's much more inward-looking, introspective. I love that.

Fourth, he gives you lots of insight into the writing of certain key songs and albums, which I'm always fascinated in. Though, surprisingly, he also completely skips over some albums, not even mentioning Lucky Town, Human Touch, or Devils & Dust.

In the end, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this long book from the very first, to the very last page. Very likely the best biography I've ever read.

[anaraguard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating account of his life, with great emphasis on his early life and career, and the psychological forces that shaped (sometimes scarred) him. He has clearly worked hard on writing skills and does a good job of conveying the fever and fervor of the rock-n-roll life. On the other hand, I may like him a teeny bit less than I did before seeing him as such a flawed human being. My idol has feet of clay after all! As he wrote "I was all I had. I had only one talent. I was not a natural genius. I would have to use every ounce of what was in me--my cunning, my musical skills, my showmanship, my intellect, my heart, my willingness--night after night, to push myself harder, to work with more intensity than the next guy just to survive untended in the world I lived in."

[sandman61961 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Picked this up after watching, and reading ‘Blinded by the Light’. Obviously it’s about music. Obviously it’s about Bruce Springsteen. I have to admit that my appreciation of Bruce Springsteen has increased as I have aged.
This book isn’t just about music though. There’s a narrative about family, life and struggles with inner demons.
Very enlightening and gives insight into the background of many of the works of Bruce Springsteen.