Five against One: The Pearl Jam Story

by Kim Neely

Book Overview

More than any other band, Pearl Jam embodies the alternative style that dominates rock today. From their early days as fame-ducking grunge pioneers, through their headline-making battle with Ticketmaster, to their current status as self-assured survivors, Five Against One brings to life Pearl Jam's tumultuous ascent to superstardom in rich detail. A compelling portrait of the band's elusive leader Eddie Vedder and family photos never seen before by...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140276424
• ISBN13: 9780140276428
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Very informative and interesting

This book was very informative, and I learned lots of things I didn't know about the Seattle music scene of the late 80s and early 90s. And even though I already knew that Pearl Jam came from members of earlier Seattle bands, I learned more about those bands than I knew before. It was also interesting to read about Andy Wood and Temple of the Dog. Pearl Jam's battle with Ticketmaster was also explained. The book failed to answer the question of whether Eddie Vedder had an act of not having an act, or if he genuinely hated his fame. I suppose that no one can answer that, though.

Very adept airing of grievances.....

Although, for the most part I enjoyed this book, I felt that it was difficult to obtain a fair view of the band whilst all of the information was gathered from people who had a problem with Pearl Jam, and in particular, Eddie. He seemed to be portrayed as a control freak, careerist obsessed with his public persona. The intimation was there that most of it was an act. I find it difficult to believe that a man could keep up a charade such as this for eight years, with never a slip in his convictions from then to now with his involvement in pro-choice, the Tibetan problem to the Kosovo crisis today. Even his detractors have always said he's never been short of commitment and passion. As for the other members of Pearl Jam, professionally they were there for the ride, but personally we learned absolutely nothing new. Mike's severe alcohol problem was skimmed over as if it was a mild addiction to paracetamol and not the life threatening, soul destroying problem it actually was. As fascinating a character as Eddie Vedder is, the others deserved better treatment. Still, being a devoted Pearl Jam fan I couldn't resist this book, even though at times I felt I was a peeping tom peering through a window into Eddie's turbulent private life and the ramblings of his contemptuous step-father were nothing short of shameful and embarassing. I think the book could have done without these musings. All in all if you love Pearl Jam, you'll read it anyway. Just go in with an open mind and read a positive account of the band afterwards to give you a balanced view. Somewhere in the middle is the truth. I wonder if Miss Neely still receives gifts from Eddie. I severely doubt it!

hard to measure

Though this book was very informative and captivating (my professors asked me many times to quit reading it during their lectures and when out, i found myself looking forward to getting home so i could read more) the book is undoubtedly very negative towards the band and paints Ed in an almost "excentric bratt" light. Not to sudgest that Ed is the most normal person in the world (or maybe he is the appitamy of normal) the book subtly interveiws only persons who have been offended by Ed such as Dave Abrussezzes, his step-father, Chris Carufto, and other such characters. It would have been nice to hear from his mother or brothers or wife or publicist or someone who liked him. Though the recounts are literarity factual, they are focused through a negative filter created by bitter aquaintances. The discography of the band starts well, but by the end of the book, it seems like the author has become somewhat bored of writing about the actual music, and would rather focus on raucus and provocation. Unfortunately, individual biographies are very limited to all but Ed and that's too bad, because we can find out about Eddie in the music, but no one seems to let us know much about Stone, Jeff, Mike, or Dave/Jack's up-bringings. Oh well. Some good information. Definitely a must read for ne true fan, but u'll still feel dissapointed by book's end.

This book will tell you anything you need to know about PJ

This book gave me further knowledge about pearl jam. It answers any question you may have about the rumors and myths behind the band. I found this to be the best biography of the band ever.

Couldn't put it down -- truly fascinating book!

This is far and away the best, most interesting biography I have ever read on Pearl Jam. The author, a former Rolling Stone writer who apparently knows the band well, writes engagingly and shares information on Pearl Jam that has never before been revealed, much of which contradicts their myth. Though this is largely a sympathetic look at the band, Ms. Neely does not shy from tackling material that Pearl Jam's public relations team might have preferred she gloss over. The book contains many funny anecdotes, a beautiful collection of photos from private collectors that I'd never seen anywhere, and a massive, poignant section on Eddie Vedder's childhood that was truly engrossing. The only book I've ever read on Pearl Jam that made me feel as if I were actually getting the real inside view. Very credible and detailed, without the annoying factual errors that have ruined other biographies on the band for me. Die hard fans who live to believe in the Pearl Jam myth may be put off by some of the revelations in this book, those readers might be more comfortable with one of the "fan" biographies on the band. But serious readers who are interested in an accurate, unvarnished portrait of Pearl Jam will surely find this a great read. Highly recommend it.