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Society's Child: My Autobiography

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Author: Janis Ian
Publisher: Tarcher
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$26.95~~
Buy New: $4.40
You Save: $22.55 (84%)

New (44) Used (15) Collectible (3) from $4.40

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

35 reviews
Sales Rank: 17580

Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1

ISBN: 158542675X
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.42164092
EAN: 9781585426751
ASIN: 158542675X

Publication Date: July 24, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! NEW Book! May have remainder mark. Most orders ship within 1 BUSINESS DAY with ORDER CONFIRMATION.

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - Society's Child: My Autobiography
•	Kindle Edition - Society's Child

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Grammy Awardwinning singer and songwriter Janis Ians memoir of her more than forty years in the music business.

Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of fifteen when her soul-wrenching song Societys Child became a national hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, Societys Child climbed the charts despite the fact that many radio stations across the country refused to play it because of its controversial subject matter. But this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career. In this fascinating memoir of her life in the music business, Ian chronicles how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janis Joplin, and sang with Mel Torm� all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music.

In Societys Child, Ian shares with readers what it felt like to move in and out of the public eye. In 1975 her legendary song At Seventeen earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. But during the 1980s she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business to study ballet and acting. She also struggled through a difficult marriage that ended with her then husbands threat to kill her. The hiatus from music lasted for nearly a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of Breaking Silence. Rather than risk losing artistic control, she took out a second mortgage on her home to fund the record. It paid off as Breaking Silence gained Ian her ninth Grammy nomination. Now in her fifth decade, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe.

Janis Ian has inspired generations of fans and in this moving book she shares the fascinating story of her life in music.

Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Got a young person with issues... November 26, 2008
then get that person this autobiography.
Even if u don't agree w/this artist's opinions u sure will respect them and learn from them.
I picked up my first Ian cut that was "17". Being a decade older than her and coming of age slightly b/4 the sixties peaked the phrase Society's Child was just something I associated w/her appearence on the first SNL which I remember vividly.
Now after reading this work I understand the meaning of the words and only wish I had delved into her 'oeuve much sooner instead of just mouthing 17 w/her.
I can see this work being required reading in American Literature programs for the next century.
JI's honesty is not questionable,even if her choices might be. None the less they are honest and we do learn from them.
As one who had NO artist talent I was still able to appreciate and admire it in others.
I would question what the artist must sacrifice and what price they must pay to reach and hold on to their heights.
After reading this book I now have a better idea.
In all it was a bittersweet experience for me because it seems this god given talent is a beast that must be fed at all cost and the glow of fame is more self immolating than enlighting but the pure joy of the art is also irreplaceable and will be beauty forever.
Am I can glad I can't do it? I really don't know since I never had the gifts to be faced w/that ?
Am I glad that if it happens so I can enjoy and relish in the beauty of it...
You betcha' I am Caribou Barbi.

5 out of 5 stars

Janis Ian: Society's Child November 24, 2008
This is a fascinating and honest recounting of the experience of a gifted writer/performer -- the kind of "good read" you get immersed in. After you read this, you may well feel you've been given "permission" to allow the artist in you to emerge.

5 out of 5 stars

Strong woman who overcomes November 4, 2008
This book was amazing. Janis Ian was faced with one obsticle after another in her music endeavors and her love life. Listening to her music, after reading her autobiography, adds a tremendous insight into the words of her music. Janis is "a real trooper" and I have the utmost respect for her as an artist and a human being.

5 out of 5 stars

An amazing life October 9, 2008
As a long time fan of Janis Ian, I was interested in her professional journey and the influences for her work. This book covers that and so much more. It happens that I knew Janis' father very well having worked with him for several years. The Openness that the author demonstrates is both courages and enlightening. I had no idea of the struggles that she has overcome. The writing is so personal and yet universal that I felt like she was telling her story directly to me. This is a great read.

5 out of 5 stars

This Life is a Page Turner! October 4, 2008
Wow! What a great autobiography. Janis Ian describes her home life, her development as an artist and her rise to fame at a very, very young age which thrust her into very complicated world filled with expectation. We are witness as Janis endures her family falling apart, a series of abusive relationships, industry and management dysfunction and fraud which, even after toiling for years and producing numerous albums, eventually left her bankrupt. Each period of her life is artfully written with brevity, reflection and humor and she gives a very interesting inside account of American music culture during the 1960's-70's. Janis is frank in addressing what has clearly been tragic, but the thread throughout is her tremendous faith and fighting spirit to preserve herself and her integrity as an artist. What an inspirational book to read in turbulent times. Janis, thanks for sharing.

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