I'm Your Man

The Life of Leonard Cohen

By: Sylvie Simmons

Narrated by: Joshua Pollock

The New York Times-bestselling, definitive biography of lengendary artist Leonard Cohen

Singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen is one of the most important and influential musical artists of the past fifty years—and one of the most elusive. In I’m Your Man, journalist Sylvie Simmons, one of the foremost chroniclers of the world of rock ’n’ roll and popular music, explores the extraordinary life and creative genius of Leonard Cohen.

I’m Your Man is an intimate and insightful appreciation of the man responsible for “Suzanne,” “Bird on a Wire,” “Hallelujah,” and so many other unforgettable, oft-covered ballads and songs. Based on Simmons’s unparalleled access to Cohen—and written with her hallmark blend of intelligence, integrity, and style—I’m Your Man is the definitive biography of a major musical artist widely considered in a league with the great Bob Dylan.

Readers of Life by Rolling Stone Keith Richards, and Patti Smith’s phenomenal Just Kids will be riveted by this fascinating portrait of a singular musical icon.

Excellent portrait of a complicated man

I leaned so much about Mr. Cohen from this book. I came to understand his complicated system of values and to see that he deserves great respect. I learned to appreciate the man, the music, and the great amount of effort he put into his life and work.

Sloppy Narrator Interferes with Excellent Story

I think the book is in the top tier of popular music biographies--well written, great details, impressive research.

The problem with the audio version is the narrator's use of upspeak in the MIDDLE of sentences, an annoying and unprofessional tic that accelerates as the book progresses. The cloying Valley Girl habit of stating declarative sentences as questions here becomes the more recent affectation of intra-sentence questions, as if the narrator is begging the listener to ok each detail of a sentence (as in "On that day? Leonard walked to the studio? Sat down? And started to play."). Can you imagine Cohen (or the author, for that matter) talking this way? It's a depressing and lazy American habit that is robbing oral communication of its potential power to move the reader.

I'm astounded that so many narrators of books seem to have had no performance training. As a listener now for four years, I've found British narrators to be far more professional, appropriately dramatic, and understandable than most American narrators.

Great book about a remarkable person

Just finished this book. Beautifully written! A must read for the fans of Leonard Cohen, as myself.

Biography from a room

Any additional comments?

last week I took Ms. Simmons "I'm your man" out on the road with me for a second read. Here are my thoughts after that pass.
This book reads like literature, and to me, that is everything. The authors idiosyncratic voice and style shine through just enough to light the many rooms her subject (Mr. Cohens life) inhabits. This is a working journalist, writer and songwriter doing what she does best, working.
I honestly did not know about her vast body of work before reading this book and so have had the luxury of going back through years of the top music publications that are rich with her prose. I suggest you do the same, you will be better for it.
"I'm your man" is excellent and I want to Thank Ms. Simmons for writing this gem of a biography.
Now on to "A fistfull of Gitanes."

Sincerely,
John Reynolds

INTERESTING STORY BUT MUCH TOO LONG

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

Yes, if they enjoyed Leonard Cohen's songs, poetry or books. His achievements are well-documented in this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the stories within the story. The friendships, loves and quest for answers.

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

I think Joshua Pollock did a great job of narrating what would otherwise have been an extremely long, dry story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Rosanne showing up at Leonard's house in Greece with his baby son in her arms. She tells his then girlfriend it's time for her to move out. That scene said a lot about Leonard Cohen, the women and the times.

The story of an extraordinary man

An extraordinary man who touched many lives.

I enjoyed a lot listening again to the songs after they were mentioned in the book

An Excellent Read!

A very interesting read. I highly recommendi t! Going to try the other biography about him. It's better than the other one.

Another World with Leonard Cohen

I didn't want this book to ever end... I will listen to it over and over, again and again! It taught me how to love.

WHAT A MAN‼

I am in love with Leonard Cohen‼
His brilliant mind, soul searching, kindness, songs, apathy towards money, everything about him.
I've enjoyed the book, learning more about the shy genius. I would have loved if there was more about his personal life.

Highly Recommend !!!

What did you love best about I'm Your Man?

The writing was thorough, and well done, the story is fascinating, and the performance excellent. What more can I say?

What did you like best about this story?

This story of a man I just discovered through his music a few years ago, answered a lot of questions for me. Such as, "This guy is fantastic, why have I not heard of him before?"
He was known world wide as a celebrity, but not in America, why?

I was also fascinated by his spiritual journey, and the extremes he went to, to find his answers.

What about Joshua Pollock’s performance did you like?

Joshua Polluck never wavered, I could listen to him all day.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no, I found the book one, that I could not put down, but also, wanted to savor, each little morsel.

Any additional comments?

This book could be displayed not only in biography, but as stands alone as a historical document of the music industry.