Page 2 of 2
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 5, 2010 3:39 pm
by sailorkid94
Bicycle Bill wrote:Preface: Some People Claim That There’s a Biographer to Blame
9 September 1994
Dear Steve,
I have heard your footsteps in the far corners of my world, I felt it's time to set a few things straight after reading the note which was passed on to me by one of my employees.
I start this letter with a sense of controlled anger that I hope doesn't spill over into the pages. I understand that you are a writer and I appreciate the fact that you have treated me kindly in some of the things that have been brought to my attention, but that is where my compliments must stop. To cut to the chase, I would like to ask you to abandon the idea of writing an unauthorized biography. It is not for any reason of hiding skeletons in my closet or not wanting something said about me that hasn't already been said. Part of being a celebrity is shouldering the responsibility that comes with the life you have chosen. That responsibility also goes for journalists too. I know, I am both. I am more than capable of writing my own autobiography. I don't need any help or third-person interpretations. It is my life. I live it. I am a writer and if anyone should care to read about my life, then I should be the one to write it -- not you. It's that simple.
For the record, I plan to do an autobiography when I am about eighty-six, by then I should be ready to reminisce but right now, I am still too busy living,
Let's see, Jimmy turned 63 last Christmas, so that gives him another 23 years before he does the autobiography.
Jimmy, my man, please don't make us wait that long!!!
-"BB"-
As long as he's still touring in 23 years i'll be happy!
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 14, 2010 11:20 pm
by The Remittance Man
I read Eng's book back in 1998, and re-read most of it in 2002. I was going through some hard times on both occasions, and the chapter about JB's first move to Key West was tremendously comforting - when life sucks, you can always start again elsewhere. That's all I love best about Buffett, actually. The book really isn't very good, to be honest, but as others have said, it's better than nothing. And it certainly wasn't worth JB getting all worked up about: there is nothing remotely scandalous there about him.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 15, 2010 11:03 am
by Cincy'sOwnDrunk
How ironic....I just picked that book up at the library last week (and didn't see this post beforehand). Have not started readingit yet but glanced through a little bit. It seems like it's a bit boring as most have said. I just finished another book called The Parrot Head Companion (for the 2nd time) by Thomas Ryan. It isn't all that great either but does give some insight into what JB was doing at the times of his releases and how that might influence the record. It's basically a critics review of all Jimmy's work up to Banana Wind, including his books and articles and other projects such as the unfinished movie "Margaritaville". Had some interesting stuff, but most was already public knowledge to the more serious fans.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 15, 2010 8:46 pm
by sonofabeach
Not a bad book. Some good info.
"Jimmy Dot Com" by Jackson Quigley is a good one too.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 15, 2010 9:20 pm
by surfpirate
sonofabeach wrote:Not a bad book. Some good info.
"Jimmy Dot Com" by Jackson Quigley is a good one too.
I'll give my old AOL buddy Jackson a plug.
A great book (and there just might be 1 or 2 pictures of a much younger surfpirate in there somewhere).
The history of the parrothead phenomena,
such as it is (was?)
http://web.mac.com/oneparticularph/Club ... e/JDC.html
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 2:37 am
by Bwana Paul
The Scrapbook was DEFINITELY unauthorized and Mark Humphrey gave an interview to a newspaper talking about Buffett's empire's attempts at making the book's writing harder to do.
I've corresponded with Steve Eng's wife quite a bit. Steve was a great writer who now has Alzheimer's disease. He's written some good poetry and wasn't a bad songwriter either. I personally think Jimmy Buffett: The Man from Margaritaville Revealed was an EXCELLENT book. I have also found it very interesting that many of the ideas Steve mentioned in passing in the book were later used by Jimmy Buffett. I am betting Mr. Buffett has the book.... ha ha.
The book was incredibly well researched. I know Jimmy didn't like it.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 2:39 am
by Bwana Paul
MrTwain wrote:
although it is strangely polite
???
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 10:04 am
by MrTwain
Bwana Paul wrote:MrTwain wrote:
although it is strangely polite
???
In Jimmy's letter, he doesn't come out with both barrels blasting. He is gracious and expresses appreciation for Eng's previous kind treatment in previous writings. Perhaps I should have said, "curiously diplomatic". At least that's the impression I get.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 10:38 am
by HurricaneSeason
Cincy'sOwnDrunk wrote:...the unfinished movie "Margaritaville".
Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha! Well it's hard to have an unfinished movie when it was never started to begin with!
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 12:39 pm
by Bwana Paul
MrTwain wrote:Bwana Paul wrote:MrTwain wrote:
although it is strangely polite
???
In Jimmy's letter, he doesn't come out with both barrels blasting. He is gracious and expresses appreciation for Eng's previous kind treatment in previous writings. Perhaps I should have said, "curiously diplomatic". At least that's the impression I get.
I see. Well, I suppose we have different ideas as to what is polite.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 12:46 pm
by citcat
bi*og*ra*phy [
n] An account of a person's life.
This was mostly an account of Jimmy's business and music, right ?
I think most people with half a brain realize that an
unauthorized biography will not be 100% accurate. And those that don't, don't count. Jimmy's worst fears appearing apparently didn't come true.
But that was fourteen years ago..........
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 16, 2010 12:57 pm
by surfpirate
My half a brain also acknowledges that any *authorized biography* will inherently present the shade of gray that the subject themselves wishes to present.
An *UNauthorized biography* might present a different shade of gray.
BOTH should meticulously fact check and provide supporting footnotes and quotes. On the surface, Steng Eng's book does just that. I enjoyed reading it.
Re: Interesting Letter from Jimmy to Biographer Steve Eng
Posted: March 17, 2010 4:22 pm
by moog