Waging Heavy Peace

By: Neil Young

Narrated by: Keith Carradine

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The perfect gift for music lovers and Neil Young fans, telling the story behind Neil Young's legendary career and his iconic, beloved songs. “I think I will have to use my time wisely and keep my thoughts straight if I am to succeed and deliver the cargo I so carefully have carried thus far to the outer reaches". (Neil Young, from Waging Heavy Peace)

Legendary singer and songwriter Neil Young’s storied career has spanned over 40 years and yielded some of the modern era’s most enduring music. Now for the first time ever, Young reflects upon his life - from his Canadian childhood, to his part in the '60s rock explosion with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, through his later career with Crazy Horse and numerous private challenges. An instant classic, Waging Heavy Peace is as uncompromising and unforgettable as the man himself.

©2012 Neil Young (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Great book!

If you're a fan of Neil and his music, this is your book! It's deep, intimate and heartwarming!

Interesting listen. Jumps around alot

Where does Waging Heavy Peace rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Loved David Carradine's performance. Many interesting points came up, but it was a bit all over the place as timeline goes and can be hard for the listener to follow.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Not really an ending as Neil's adventure continues

Have you listened to any of Keith Carradine’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

There is more to Neil than meets the ear.

the ultimate entertainer...

What made the experience of listening to Waging Heavy Peace the most enjoyable?

You know, I was never a huge Neil fan of his music, I really liked it of course but not like some people I know, but I admired him, his longevity, his talent being undeniable, a few stories I've heard and we were just at a farm near his place. Somehow I became intrigued by him and when I read that he'd written a book I thought I'd check it out. Not sure what I was expecting but his take on music, music production, the state of music actually wowed me. Being a musician also I was so happy to hear what he was saying about all that. I was braced for a good story sure, but it is a great story and I'm so glad he put it all in writing. His life has been amazing, his mind behind the song writing and decisions he's made in his life so wonderful to discover. After listening to this book I now want to listen to all his music again, in a new way, like he's someone I know now, like I'd met him and really liked him and wanted to know all about his art. I feel this is the best autobiography I've ever read (listened to). How great that we have people in the music industry have something to say that is interesting, thoughtful, inspiring - people making art not just people who want fame and to make money. I do hope though that Neil makes money from this and all his ventures for himself and that he also does good things with it. I have a new warm heart for Neil Young.

What did you like best about this story?

Neil Young's take on music production. Talking about getting back to good music 'sound'. Inspiring. I also loved the way he spoke of his family, his father, his daughter with such love and respect. It made me research his daughter too also a wonderful artist.

What does Keith Carradine bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like Keith Carradine's voice. I liked that it felt respectful and was easy to listen to and not distracting from the story but felt more like Neil was speaking.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It surprised me and delighted me.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Neil Young for being the eternal entertainer with something solid to say.

Idiosyncratic nerd!

I have read several biographies and auto-biographies of musicians (Miles Davis, Janis Ian, Jimi Hendrix, etc.) recently, and, content-wise, this one is probably the least moving and dramatic. And yet, I still liked what Neil Young had to say. As he mentioned in this book, for a hippie-type, he is materialistic. He writes a lot about cars (old ones, mostly). He cares a lot about sound quality. He went trough a lot in terms of his illness and his children's conditions. But he does not make a big deal out of them. The events in the book are not organized chronologically and are somewhat disorganized, which reflects his spontaneity style (a former pothead?). He is a peculiar nerd who happened to experience the 1960s and 1970s and thus was influenced by the attitude of the period. But he keeps up with the technology, knows what he wants, and intends to be around for awhile (and thus gave up drinking and smoking, for now anyway). Often, the book read like a diary, but I still enjoyed it.

Sold me on Audible

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's an easy fun listen for anyone into the old school philosophy that art and music is important for the development of the soul.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Rust Never Sells

Any additional comments?

In his weathered Pendleton and T-shirt Niel Young stands alone among the artist of his time. As all the others have retired or sold-out and commercialized he stands true to the idea that music is not commerce or commodity but art. And in spite of the odds he fights the good fight and keeps the faith for those among us who still know and care.

Heart of Gold Indeed

Other reviewers have mentioned Young's meandering writing in this work, but to me, whatever Mr. Young, with his kind humor and deep humanity, wants to say is a-ok with me.
This book reveals him as a truly normal rock star, which means he can be full of himself and has been down the druggy, dusty trail of rock. It also shows him as a friend mourning the loss of great fellow players to drugs. And his words about his many loves and his children, two of whom have disabilities, ring sweet and true.
The man has a heart of gold, a sweet love for life, musical history (oh, the stories!),
his music and fans, and a humor of observation that really moved me.
Mr. Young, you could read the phone book and I'd listen, uplifted.

Get to know Neil Young

We all have preconceived notions about celebrities,entertainers and notable persons and often what we read about them is usually far from the truth. When one writes their own story they also like to gloss over or reinvent the truth. Never felt that with this book...his words rang true and you felt upon completion that you were really getting to know him and his friends and family. The structure of the book was very similar to Mark Twain's "Chapters of my Autobiography". Not unlike the lyrics he has written he told stories and relived events and talked about the monumental as well as the trivial...he discussed living his life and all those who influenced it intimately. It was refreshing and pure and it was also interesting to see what joy he had taking this journey -even when presented with challanges he seemed find a positive that made him keeping moving and exploring. For all his fame and fortune he is certainly a humble,kind and positive person -I admire that.

True genius

I'm a life-long Neil Young fan and even named my youngest son after him. It's a great book for people who want insight into the mind of this genius. Loved it.

who doesn't love Neil Young?

great anecdotes about the beginning of his career, and didn't projects through time. he does tend to bounce around a bit, but it's easy enough to follow if you pay attention. glad that I downloaded this book!

Felt at times like a commercial for pono

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have. Interesting life.

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing Neil's take on those things I've heard about him

Which scene was your favorite?

Neil Young cruising down the highway in his old boat of a car with a quiet electric motor and the top of the line pono car stereo system.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Yeah. Him.