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Born to Run  By  cover art

Born to Run

By: Bruce Springsteen
Narrated by: Bruce Springsteen
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, December 2016 - Having grown up in New Jersey, it's not too much of a stretch to say that Bruce Springsteen was something of a spiritual force. His voice is synonymous with a powerful sense of place, and it bears a rugged, scrappy idealism that can make you feel patriotic and subversive at the same time. That's what makes this autobiography, written and performed by The Boss himself, nothing less than magical. It's not simply a story of his path to success or a philosophy of greatness but a marathon concert tell-all wherein he confronts demons of mental illness, poverty, and familial strife. It is nostalgic for a simpler time but urgent in its display of discipline and individuality. Ultimately, Bruce delivers with this audiobook what he has done for nearly five decades with his music: a celebration of the commonplace and the struggles of American life with candor, imagination, and purpose. Michael, Audible Editor

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2018 Audie Award for Autobiography/Memoir

"Writing about yourself is a funny business.... But in a project like this, the writer has made one promise: to show the reader his mind. In these pages, I've tried to do this." (Bruce Springsteen, from the audio of Born to Run)

In 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the Super Bowl's halftime show. The experience was so exhilarating that Bruce decided to write about it. That's how this extraordinary autobiography began.

Over the past seven years, Bruce Springsteen has privately devoted himself to writing the story of his life, bringing to this audio the same honesty, humor, and originality found in his songs. He describes growing up Catholic in Freehold, New Jersey, amid the poetry, danger, and darkness that fueled his imagination, leading up to the moment he refers to as "The Big Bang": seeing Elvis Presley's debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. He vividly recounts his relentless drive to become a musician, his early days as a bar-band king in Asbury Park, and the rise of the E Street Band. With disarming candor, he also tells for the first time the story of the personal struggles that inspired his best work and shows us why the song "Born to Run" reveals more than we previously realized.

Born to Run will be revelatory for anyone who has ever enjoyed Bruce Springsteen, but this book is much more than a legendary rock star's memoir. This is a book for workers and dreamers, parents and children, lovers and loners, artists, freaks, or anyone who has ever wanted to be baptized in the holy river of rock and roll. Rarely has a performer told his own story with such force and sweep. Like many of his songs ("Thunder Road", "Badlands", "Darkness on the Edge of Town", "The River", "Born in the U.S.A.", "The Rising", and "The Ghost of Tom Joad", to name just a few), Bruce Springsteen's autobiography is written with the lyricism of a singular songwriter and the wisdom of a man who has thought deeply about his experiences.

Author bio: Bruce Springsteen has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of 20 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He lives in New Jersey with his family.

©2016 Bruce Springsteen (P)2016 Simon & Schuster Audio

Featured Article: The Best Memoirs to Make You Laugh, Cry, and Think


The memoir, as an art form, is one of the most difficult and complex to pull off. That’s why these titles are so impressive: not only are they excellent works in their own right, but they’ve achieved cultural acclaim, resonating with listeners of different ages, genders, races, religions, and identities. Often narrated by the authors themselves, these audiobooks allow listeners to be immersed in each story and feel all of the raw and unfiltered emotion that comes with them.

What listeners say about Born to Run

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Highly recommended

Soulful and unflinching with honest insights tempered with enough artful bull to keep you laughing and crying.

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The Best Audible Book Ever!

To have The Boss read you his moving life story is just pure joy.
Thank you, Bruce, for sharing.

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Great story

Deep and Honest gave me an unprecedented feeling of intimate dinner with Bruce Springsteen, his struggles, successes and life / work philosophy. Part one about early days is very detailed, while I was left wanting to know more from later days of his life. Beautiful story of a man, passionate, hard working, sensitive, loving, struggling like most of us.

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Loved listening to the Boss's voice

I've never been a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, but listening to this book has turned me into one. what a great story teller, an awesome poet. as someone who travels to New Jersey a lot, this really had me researching many of the locations mentioned. I started a Spotify playlist, in order to understand more of what he was singing about. I highly recommend this book.

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  • cw
  • 08-07-18

Great audiobook

This is a great audiobook! Fantastic insights for fans, and Springsteen's laid back narration is so easy to listen to.

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Deeply touched

Bruce is my new hero. What honesty and compassion this story tells! I believe good writing and storytelling brings you into the story. I felt as if I was there . .

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Awesome Book by Bruce Springsteen!

Highly recommended! Born to Run is a intimate, interesting and honest look into the life, mind, feelings and music of Bruce Springsteen. He does the reading of the audiobook and blows you away with the honest and raw emotion behind the words. His chapter on the death of Clarence Clemons almost brings you to tears. A must listen!

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Well-Written

For fans and non-fans alike, Born to Run is an interesting, enjoyable book. What impressed me most is the eloquence with which it was written. Not knowing much about Springsteen, I was surprised to see that he he wrote his own songs and the depth of what he wrote. That skill as a writer is seen throughout the book. This was a bonus feature and made me more of a fan. Audible Twenty Review Sweepstakes Entry.

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Born to Run

I've seen Bruce and the E-Street Band perform numerous times in Houston, Texas. My brother used to see him perform in New Jersey in the 70's when he was stationed there in the army.

I liked learning the background of songs I've listened to over and over. This made them more meaningful.

I admire Bruce's drive to overcome his depression and to make the most of being who he is. I thank Patty for being there for him!

I also enjoyed listening to the narration! Great book!

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Excellent Listen!

I loved the openness of the way Bruce shared his story. He is a good narrator and the insights he shares are inspiring.

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