In Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division, Peter Hook, bassist for the legendary, groundbreaking band Joy Division, takes readers backstage with the group that helped define the sound of a generation and influenced artists such as U2, Radiohead, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Unlike other books about Joy Division, Factory Records, or lead singer Ian Curtis—who took his own life just before the band's first U.S. Tour—Unknown Pleasures tells Joy Division's story from the unique perspective of one of the three surviving band members.
Told with surprising humor and vivid detail, Unknown Pleasures is the book Joy Division fans have been waiting for.
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"He seems to have written something quite true to the person he is. Come across as an honest and in places moving account of his life in the band. He talks honestly about the deification of Curtis and how alien that is to his memories of the person. His experience of losing his friend to suicide was well expressed. This is a remarkable book in many ways." — Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)
"He seems to have written something quite true to the person he is. Come across as an honest and in places moving account of his life in the band. He talks honestly about the deification of Curtis and how alien that is to his memories of the person. His experience of losing his friend to suicide was well expressed. This is a remarkable book in many ways."
“Mr. Hook tells a raffishly charming and, in the end, heartbreaking story, full of the burning ambition and abject blundering that accompany any band’s road to glory.... As Unknown Pleasures shows, hindsight truly can be great. It is also heart-rending, ruthless, and redemptive.”
“An immense account of Joy Division’s rise, cataloging the group’s struggle for recognition, their rapidly gained superiority on the Manchester scene, and the epic numbness following Ian Curtis’ shock suicide. Having read Hook’s book, you’ll feel like you were he fifth member of the band.”
“It’s a window like no other into the reality of life in this most aloof of bands.”
“A bittersweet, profanity-filled recollection of their brief existence...recalled with Hook’s winning Manc gallows humor...If you like Joy Division you really have to read it.”
“Vivid, funny, and unexpectedly touching, Peter Hook’s memoir strips away the shroud of myth surrounding Joy Division to offer a refreshingly gritty perspective on the story of four ordinary young men who together made extraordinary music.”
“Unflinchingly honest...Hook peels away the romantic sheen colored by its dark history and gives unfettered insight into the band’s origins and inspirations...this is required reading for anyone who ever felt moved by Joy Division’s cold, dark music.”
" Great and fun read. Definitely focuses just on Peter Hook's experience, which is great considering the fighting between he and Bernard. Fun to read about one member's perspective without throwing knives. "
" The US edition is one of the most beautiful books I have seen in a long while, reading it on a long journey whilst listening to JD was an absolute pleasure. Written in a straight forward and engaging style (with a number of typos) its worth picking up.....judge this book by its cover! "
" A wonderful read - it was full of funny stories as well as sad ones. It was really too bad that Joy Division was only around for a short time. They were truly a great band - look at how many wonderful songs they wrote in such a short time together. "
" Great book. It was nice to read Hooky's historical account of this seminal band. Great insights into recording, gigs and funny tour stories. A must read. "
" Excellent book, great info on Joy Division, himself and his bandmates. Need to find out more about New Order and the Hacienda "
" Interesting view from within the band of their success and disintegration. Hook has a dry wit that kept me amused, and uses pathos well. "
" Strictly for hardcore JD fans. "
" Fueled my Joy Division obsession all over again. Loved it. I think Peter Hook is pretty hilarious, too. Now I need him to write a behind-the-scenes look at New Order. "
" Just like sitting down in the pub with a pint and having Peter Hook tell you the story of Joy Division, with all the resulting side stories and anecdotes you would expect. Great story about normal guys that did something amazing. "
" The stories are fun and interesting but the incessant use of timelines and references to himself as "Hooky" get annoying fast and persist throughout. "
" fooking loooooved it. "
" A canonical, thorough history of one of the world's greatest bands, recounted w/ humor, humility and perspective by founding member and bass player, Peter Hook. "
" What a great glimpse into one of my favorite bands. "
" Wonderful! Down-to-earth, everything you want to know, great perspective, and more. "
" Just like 24 Hour Party People but from Hooky's point of view. "
" For those who are still convinced that Joy Division were miserable bastards. "
" Entertaining, candid and a little sad. "
Peter Hook was born in 1956 in Salford, England. A founding member of Joy Division and New Order, he is an international DJ and tours Joy Division’s music with his new band, the Light. He lives in Cheshire.
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