Things the Grandchildren Should Know

Would absolutely recommend this to anyone and a must read for any fans of E.Listening to these songs thousands of times over the last 17 years and hearing his back story on some of them are astounding.Electroshock Blues has been like a friend to me since the first time I heard it in the early 2000’s and has helped me countless times. Blinking Lights is just phenomenal...I love the part about the writing of Railroad Man and now understand the song titles Blinking Lights (For Me) and Blinking Lights (For You)The life he has lived has had such dramatic downs yet he remains as optimistic as possible and attempts to focus on the ups instead. It’s always easier said than done but it’s the only way to live. No one is Superman and can feel like that all the time without faking it but E acknowledges this and that makes it even better.Started reading it last night at 12AM and had to force myself to put it down so I could sleep (at 3AM haha!) Woke up and immediately started to continue; just finished it. I don’t think I have done that with a book EVER (sad to say but it’s true. that will be changing now; time to “pull up my bootstraps” and do it)Hopefully there will be another book down the line because this was such a good read. Only downside is that it wasn’t 700 pages because I could have kept reading his story for days.

I've been a big fan of E (and EELS) since the Beautiful Freak days. Musically, I've followed his journey ever since. Listening to EELS music will bring you all the highs and lows that life has to offer. But the story behind E's life brings even further context into those songs.He faces incredible tragedy and great success - sometimes simultaneously. Yet, E is somehow able to pick up and keep moving forward, as difficult as it may be. E explains that music has often been what's kept him going. Even long before he had a record deal, writing songs helped him to deal with more than his fair share of adversity.The book is really well-written and I love that E doesn't take himself too seriously (fans of his music already know this, but it's nice to see that he really thinks this way). He also goes into detail about the meaning/genesis of several songs.I think the book is really inspirational. No matter how dire E's life seemed, he never quit. He keeps fighting for his life and career. Definitely worth picking up, even if you don't know much about the music part of things.

I have no idea if authors read their Amazon reviews but I just wanted to say I loved your book E. I know I’m late to the party, but it feels like you could have written it yesterday, except maybe for the cassette part. It says a lot that so many of your wonderful yet heartbreaking passages have stayed with me. Our mutual friend in San Francisco kindly gave it to me and I’ve just ordered one for my sister to enjoy.

Such a great read! I couldn’t put it down! I thought everyone was like the Brady Bunch but our family! Thanks Mar Oliver Everett for letting me know there were other families out there as dysfunctional as ours! Well written! Kept my attention from beginning to end!!

[...]So far in my life there have been few books that have actually brought me to tears but this is one of these books. In general the tears were brought on because of the content of course and just how real and vulnerable is on paper. The truth about why I feel so attached to this book is because he does a great job of giving background on a lot of his amazing songs he has written over the years. There are so many songs that the Eels perform that I listen to over and over again. The Eels are one band that I listen to when I am happy, sad, want to have fun or need to just chill out and relax. At the risk of sounding really deep, E and the Eels have got me through some tough times in my life.The minute I received the book in the mail it felt like Christamas and I couldn't put it down.More here: [...]

I enjoyed every bit of this book. Well I got the audio book version, but still loved every minute of it. If you haven't listened to the Eels or any of Mark Oliver Everett's music then you are denying yourself a truly wonderful life experience! His songs span the musical spectrum and it's all well worth the trip. This book give you a personal tour through the one-of-a-kind life that made Mr. E the man he is. Which is a true musical genius. Buy the book. Buy the albums. Buy tickets to his shows if he comes to your town!

I hope you find some consultation in that your father is considered a giant in the field now, he was certainly taken from us far too soon.

I didn't know the musician author before purchasing the book, but it was recommended to me. I enjoyed it thoroughly and found the book interesting and funny. I am now a fan of Eels!Although the author suffered many personal losses he keeps a sense of humor that is commendable. I think this is an example of someone overcoming difficult circumstances, and not falling in despair or blaming others for his bad luck.I like the writing style of the book. I recommend it.

I haven't read all of this yet but must leave a review - This is an amazing book & very hard to put down.I was recommended to read this & listen to E & Eels by a huge fan but listened to E albums and first couple of Eels albums before I did as i am ashamed to know I didn't no hardly anything about Mark Everett before (may god shun me for my previous ignorance & bless the soul that introduced me to the workings of Mark)This is written as if Mark is speaking directly to you in a conversation. Upfront and humbling he offers such an insight into his life - to which he has had his fair share of downs but amazing upsA must for any E or Eels Fan as it gives you a whole new insight as to when songs were written in his life and when you listen to then you feel the emotional connection even more - I can now say I am a big fan! I can also recommend even if you are not a fan as it's so well written you don't need to know themA fantastic read even if you are not, just a amazing book, now a personal favourite

I've only ever read one other autobiography - one of Barack Obama's! I shy away from them on the basis that I expect they'll reflect an overblown sense of self-worth and celebrity but that's the very last criticism that could be levelled at Everett's work (if not Obama's!). As a massive fan of E and his band Eels, I thought I knew something of the tragedy that has often engulfed him but it was just the tip of an iceberg. The raw courage with which he has clearly faced the many tragedies, struggles and disappointments in his life is matched by the raw honesty of the telling of his story. Is it any wonder that he is probably the greatest writer of autobiographical and social commentary songs since Lennon?!

Interesting family story by E aka Mark Oliver Everett - leader of the cult band The Eels. He tells the story of his tragic family history and of his rather strange relationship with his family. His father died of a heart attack, his sister by suicide and his mother from cancer. Not to mention his cousin and her husband being killed in 9/11.Wonder if E will win the lottery, as it seems he has had his share of bad luck?Mark's father, Hugh, was a brilliant mind who proposed the many worlds (aparallel universes) theory.It is amazing that Mark retains a sense of humour along with his prference for his own company. Brilliantly told story in a very readable format. Well worth a read. Thank you E! Love your music too!!

Some people arrive at this book via the music, and some the other way round. For me it started with the music and curiosity about who made it - and so I discovered Mark Everett AKA Eels, whose extraordinary life, full of emotional deprivation, tragedy and loss, has been turned into something positive by his creativity and individual outlook on life. He tells his story wonderfully well, showing how the smallest thing can teach us huge things about life, trust and hope. The cat and kittens story becomes something spiritually uplifting. Read this book even if you know nothing of the music.I owned and loved 2 albums of the music before I read this book, and I am now buying and enjoying the whole back catalogue, enriched by knowing every song reflects E's experiences and feelings - I thought they were just quirky in order to be different. It turns out they are real and E's life has been different.This book is so good I bought 4 copies along with the Essential eels album for Christmas presents. The gift of inspiration, optimism, survival and hope.

Being a big fan of Mr E and all things Eels related have actually had this book a while now but re-read it the other night and felt compelled to submit my humble opinion. In truth other reviews here probably sum it up better than I can but to reiterate this is definitely NOT your typical "rock-star" "poor me" style autobiography, and it is part of E's considerable charm that he himself would probably cringe to think of himself in such a way. If you are already an Eels fan then this is VITAL as it gives a superb insight into the man, his (extraordinary) life and the inspiration behind the music-if you are not a fan then as others have said before me you will still find this a fascinating read. The content is already discussed in other reviews, the unconventional upbringing, deaths of close family and friends, and generally "so weird you just couldn't make it up" events in this amazing man's life-but it is far from a depressing read-indeed it is uplifting simply because E writes in a factual style and doesn't at any time ask the reader to feel sorry for him-if you want self-pity then look elsewhere. If you are prone to the odd "downer" (and let's be honest who isn't during these "rock hard times")I think you will emerge at the end of this book feeling that you have a kindred spirit out there-someone who really has been there and worn the t-shirt and just keeps getting back up for more.A recent article by the great man himself attests to his slightly pessimistic (though understandable) view that he has to get as much music out there as possible as the family track record suggests he might not be here much longer to share his magic.Like every other Eels fan I hope that Mr Everett's fears are unfounded-in case I didn't make it clear this is a magnificent book and I strongly recommend you buy it whether you are a dedicated fan, a casual observer or have never even heard of the man-if it introduces you to his music then your money will be well spent.Oh and any guy who does a Christmas song and introduces the middle solo with "Baby Jesus-born to rock" is worth treasuring in my book....