Days of Hope and Dreams: An Intimate Portrait of Bruce Springsteen

If you haven't had enough of the Darkness at the End of Town period of Springsteen this book has some fantastic pictures of Bruce before he went buff.

Yes!

Hubby loved it. He's a huge Bruce fan and it made a great gift! I highly recommend this book! Awesome book!

Love it...!

Note: This review is based on the 2011 hardback edition of the book from Insight Publications. This is a reprinting of the same book published by Billboard Books in 2003. It is identical. Amazon, has a policy to group ALL versions of a title together so you will find reviews of the earlier editions and printings in this group of reviews.I came upon this book at the opening of the new Springsteen exhibit at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The exhibit is the same one mounted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, with a few additions. At the opening press conference the "author" of the book, Frank Stefanko (a Philly area native - actually in Southern New Jersey) gave a brief talk and the story behind some of the photos in this book. Some of his explanations are included the text that accompanies many of these (mostly black and white) photos. The 88 images were shot by Stefanko between 1978 and 1982 and graced the covers of two of Springsteen's albums ("Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River"). As he explains in the easy-to read text., Stefanko met Springsteen when Stafanko's college buddy, singer/songwriter/poet Patti Smith, recommended to Bruce that he use the photographer. The stories that Stafanko tells - about Springsteen's cars and his "overnight stay" at Stafanko's house, make this an interesting "read" as well as a visual delight.I really need to deduct a HALF of a star from my rating - which would make it 4.5 stars - because of one serious omission. Though Springsteen's name is in the title - and it's he that will draw fans to this book - the other members of the E Street Band get short shrift. Those the members of the band are mentioned in the Introduction, they are never identified in any of the photos (a good number of which show the six members beside Bruce) in the book. Sure, Clarence Clemmons can be picked out and the same with "Little Steven", but a new generation of Springsteen fans should have this info and the guys who supported "the Boss" should have gotten more name recognition.The images are sharp and the book is big (and Heavy!). I'm sure that, after seeing the Philly exhibit - which includes many of these photos - a lot of Bruce fans will pick up this book.I hope you found this review both helpful and informative.Steve Ramm"Anything Phonographic"

This is a wonderful book. The photographs are uniformly compelling and insightful, as is the text. The reader is treated to a rare, unvarnished glimpse of an American hero about to "burst like a supernova." The images are timeless, and harken back to a simpler, perhaps more poignant time -- before MTV and the Internet changed the way we obtained and enjoyed our music. The author's spare text is thoughtful without being intrusive; a perfect compliment to the compelling images that accompany it. The text conveys a straightforward warmth and appreciation for the author's subject that are both refreshing and inspiring. This is a book to pore over, savor, and return to. Thank you, Frank, for sharing your gift -- and thank you, Bruce, for recognizing his genius, and for allowing us a little glimpse of yours.

1978 was a key moment in Bruce Springsteen's career, and Frank Stefanko was there to capture it in black and white. In these photos, you see a rock star breaking out, but still struggling and working his [tail] off. Stefanko had not even heard the Darkness album when he took the photos that would lead to its cover (and the cover of The River), but he captured the mood and the tone perfectly, of both the music and the musician. Even if you're not into photo books, if you have an interest in Springsteen, do yourself a favor and get this book.

I have never seen a book of this type where the pictures and text fit together so perfectly. But those are just the tangible things. This book seems to give you a look into Bruce Springsteen's soul -- such a deep look that you almost feel as if you're intruding where you don't belong. But as a fan of the man as well as the music, I can see why Bruce chose this photographer. The pictures show him as he wants to be seen. As I said, truly a most amazing book.

Book arrived in perfect condition. Beautiful photos, if a little lacking in narrative - but perfect as a picture guide to The Boss' early years

Bellissimo libro fotografico zeppo di immagini rare. L'edizione italiana diffirisce da quella inglese, oltre che chiaramente per il testo tradotto, per la copertina in brossura (peccato) invece che quella rigida. Servizio Amazon sempre perfetto con imballaggio adeguato e spedizione rapida.