I am Brian Wilson: A Memoir

This is one of the most moving autobiographies that I have ever read. Brian Wilson, who is one of music's geniuses has finally written HIS story. I've read several books on him before this. Brian verifies many of the stories that I have read or heard, but clarifies others. And he does it with a kind and loving heart. His story is given in an honest light. Was he perfect? No. Did he make mistakes? Of course. But, he is quick to praise others who have heaped abuse on him throughout his life. The three who are often highly criticized in his life have been his father Murry Wilson, Mike Love and Dr. Eugene Landry. Brian doesn't sugarcoat his treatment by any of them (although he has surprisingly little animosity against Mike Love). He even gives Dr. Landry some credit for helping him initially in the mid-70's. And, he is quick to give credit to his father for giving him the background he had in music as well as the drive to succeed. He credits Mike Love in many ways, including the high energy he gives The Beach Boys live shows, and as a collaborator on many songs. Brian Wilson is a towering figure in the history of Rock and Roll. But, he has suffered for 50 years from mental illness. In this book he makes it clear that he is vitally interested in assisting people to understand the importance of mental illness, and in properly treating the disease. I highly recommend this book for any reader.

I fell in love with the movie "Love and Mercy" and read Brian Wilson's book to see how authentic it was. His warm, humble, self-effacing memoir is the PERFECT compliment to the movie, provides depth and context, and enriched the experience a hundred fold. Went and bought the CD of "Pet Sounds" afterward and it's amazing what I can hear in the music now, having read how he wrote it. Wilson is inspiring as a brilliant musician and as a man who suffered the slings and arrows of severe mental illness - and has lived to tell the tale.

Well, OK....there's not much new here. Brian does either confirm or dispute a few things, and does so convincingly. The jumping around in time seems to be a trend lately, and Brian jumps with the best of them. There were a few things I was hoping to have more detail on and things that (for me) went on way too long. I'm sure everyone who shares an interest in the topics covered will feel that way, but on different topics. Maybe there's enough for a Volume Two.This is certainly no literary masterwork, but it is exceptionally enjoyable. Anyone interested in the Beach Boys, the music business, California, dysfunctional parenting, and love will enjoy this easy-to-digest book.

The sweetness, simplicity (in the best sense) and straightforward delivery of Brian Wilson make this book a delight to read. I was amazed by many things in the book, but right off the bat I was amazed by the honest, frank description of his typical morning. No sugar coating of the quirky routine. He seems to try to find something good in almost everything and everybody.

Fantastic memoir. Brian Wilson has such a great, original voice. Sometimes he writes beautifully, sometimes whimsically and delightfully, but always with simplicity and clarity. When he began the narrative of his father, I burst out crying--not because of the cruelty and violence Brian experienced, I've known about that for decades--but because Brian is such a good, gentle soul. He tries to present a balanced portrait of his father, not as a monster, but as a troubled man who also did good things. Brian takes great pains to show the good that came about as a result of his father. Brian is the coolest! He is a kind genius.I just loved this book and called my brother halfway through to tell him he must read it. If you are interested in Brian or the Beach Boys or rock 'n roll of the 60's and 70's, you will love this book.

Another reviewer mentioned that the book is not strictly sequential. I liked that.The story of Mr. Wilson's life is pretty well known already.The tone of this book is more one of sitting in a comfy room telling "remember when" stories.It is honest and engaging. It is clear that Brian Wilson has smoothed the black and white sharp edges of what we already knew. Even with respect to his father and Dr. Landy, he considers the positive aspects of their roles in his life.Thank you for a very enjoyable read, as well as all the beautiful music.

The Beach Boys carried the banner of SoCal for this California Girl in the 60's and 70's. Loved the music and songs, but never had a deep appreciation of the genius that created them. Watched with sadness as Brian seemed to sink into oblivion...years later I got to celebrate anew when he had the courage, strength and support to make beautiful music again. This story wanders, maybe like his mind must. Somehow that's okay, since it almost always felt like he was just talking, with someone else inserting facts appropriate to the story. I've pulled out my Pet Sounds CD, and I'm listening with a new ear. Today, Amazon will deliver my copy of "Reimagines Gershwin" and I can't wait to hear what Brian has done with my very favorite American composer ever. Sometimes it seems like insanity/mental illness is the price someone like Brian Wilson pays for genius. Happily he seems to have made peace with his demons and stays in touch with his genius.

Lovely to read Brian's story in Brian's own words. He puts many things to rest regarding his father, Landy, and Love. I got the feeling that he held back quite a bit on what he could have said regarding his professional relationship with Mike Love (maybe for fear of further lawsuits!!!) but he certainly put the record straight on the bullying control-freak that was Eugene Landy.His father, Murry Wilson, seemed to be a product of the times, where many men took the biblical quote of not sparing the rod of correction as a literal entity to beat the crap out of his kids, whereas nowadays, it's correct to be tough with your kids - but without the violence.I think Brian has been aware that in recent years, his father has come in for severe criticism especially when he had been blamed for Brian's near total deafness in his right ear. In some interviews Brian said his father whacked him so hard as a kid that he lost his hearing in that ear. Other interviews had hinted that he was born with the ear defect. In this book, Brian puts the blame onto some neighbourhood kid who hit him across the ear with a piece of lead piping, causing him to be virtually deaf in that ear. So, that is three different explanations. Maybe it was a combination of any of those reasons. Maybe Brian didn't want his dad to continue to take all the blame for that ear loss?All in all, this is a very good book and a wonderful insight into a truly astonishingly talented man.

Havuing read a great deal about Brian Wilson including his previous book with Dr Landy i wondered if this could sustain the length of a book. i neednt have been concerned. this book sounds authentic and Brian deals frankly with his mental health issues. if you want an introduction to BrianWilson/ the Beach Boys this probably isn't a great place to start but if you already know the story this is a fascinating addition. All power to Brian wilson for being so honest. one of the few books i've read that is honest about his symptoms and how he deals with them. A great read for fans

I bought this together with Mike Love's 'Good Vibrations - My Life As A Beach Boy'. Out of the two I expected Brian's book to be the more superior and satisfying read. I was wrong.I am a huge Brian Wilson fan and see him play live at every opportunity, but his book (at this stage in his life) should have been so much more.Meandering in every sense of the word with sparse and flitting accounts of what any fan probably already knows.So disappointing from the man who has given us so much pleasure from his music, but in this case, not his prose.Now it sits on my bookcase alongside Brian Wilson - 'Wouldnt It Be Nice' ... Gathering Dust.

This drones on a lot about everyone involved on every record, jumps back and forth through his life way too much, barely anything about his personal life other than a Dr who ripped him off repeatedly. Couldn't finish it in the end!

Very interesting insight into Brian’s life, music and well publicised struggle with mental illness and substance misuse issues.

Book review time. A tough read. Flits to and fro from timelines in every chapter which makes it dizzying and disorienting. Any true fan will already know everything in it, it offers nothing new really. For me it was a shame. On a product point of view obviously the kindle edition i got works great so no probs there.

Recoupment enjoyed

Good read

Was a gift. Thoroughly good read

Great book! Love insight to Brian Wilson

Great book

After listening to his interview on radio two. Our poorly son asked for this for Christmas

Perfect - excellent value!

Bought as a gift for my stepdad, good book.

Great