Sheeran: A Biography

By: Sean Smith

Narrated by: Ian Pringle

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The first comprehensive adult biography of the beloved, redheaded “Shape of You” songster, complete with exclusive interviews and all-new research!

Grammy award winner Ed Sheeran strikes chords in millions of listeners worldwide - a feat all the more staggering given that he couldn’t even carry a tune until the age of 15. At 13 - then just a guitarist in a school rock band but today’s most successful solo star - he decided he would fly far higher than hometown fame. Within a year, he had recorded an album in his bedroom.

Best-selling biographer Sean Smith traces the astonishing journey of the shy little English boy with a stammer who, avoiding flashy showmanship, grew up to become a global phenomenon. With compelling new research and interviews, Smith delivers the story of Sheeran’s remarkable parents, who supported their son’s dream long before it seemed achievable; the friends and mentors who encouraged his raw talent; and the lovers who inspired his most famous songs.

Smith describes the setbacks Sheeran faced before his fortunes were transformed by Elton John’s management company, a record deal, and a song that changed everything...with some help from Taylor Swift. Now, Sheeran has sold 150 million records worldwide, earned $432 million touring in 2018 alone, and broke records with his 2018 UK tour. But he still made time to play for just 400 people at a charity night to raise money for the homeless last year.

As this captivating book reveals, there’s no one quite like Ed!

About the author

Sean Smith is the UK’s leading celebrity biographer and the author of five Sunday Times best sellers. His books have been translated throughout the world. His subjects include Kate Middleton, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston, and J.K. Rowling.

Described by the Independent as a “fearless chronicler”, he specializes in meticulous research and going “on the road” to find the real person behind the star image.

©2019 Diversion Publishing Corp. (P)2019 Diversion Publishing Corp.

So good!

Ian Pringle now ration was excellent. You can tell this is not a book where he powers other stuff he’s read because as I was reading it I just knew it was well researched well narrated and kept me listening. This book is so good I love Ed Sheeran now I love him even more LOL!

Don’t waste you credit!!Great till the End!

Great book till the last chapter!! The listener wants to hear about Ed, not astrology. Ruined the total vibe of the book! Totally unnecessary and just stupid!!

I Just Want to Know Him Better!

Sheeran is kind of interesting because Ed is a favorite musician of mine so to hear a audio about him was intriguing but actually sounds kind of funny. I loved everything about the story getting to know more about Ed Sheeran and some of the things that were more personal made me love him more. The guy behind the music feels like a friend because I relate so much to his introvert demeanor minus the mega stardom. The performance of the book is done really well as if almost watching the story on television. Overall I did enjoy the book I didn't find myself struggling to listen because the topic Ed Sheeran is very interesting. I received this book in exchange for a honest review and provided my true feelings on this great audio.

Great insight into the making of Ed Sheeran

Let me start out by saying I am a fan of Ed Sheeran's music. I was gifted this audiobook with the understanding that I would leave an honest review. Well, honestly I so enjoyed this biography. This book is very honest and refreshing. I can honestly say it has made me even more of a fan. The book has shown me how Ed comes up with his lovely words and music. I loved hearing about his childhood and his parent, and grandparents. I also loved all the beautiful stories of how Ed has given joy to someone who has needed it. We could all learn something from this man! The narrator Ian Pringle was the perfect choice for the voice for the story too. Ian does a great job of keeping the story moving along. I will say I did find myself looking up a few Youtube videos of Ed's after they were described in the book. Very fun.

On the fence

The good: It was great getting a "behind the scenes" look at the music industry. The way all levels of production work together from writing to producing, and the synergy between everyone, makes for an interesting read. It was fun to hear about how he grew up, the fantastic influence and continued support from his parents have shaped him, and the person that he is behind the scene.

The bad: It was just slightly dull, but what really threw me off was the ending of the book. Rather than cutting it off at the natural conclusion , the writer added on the astrology charts of Sheeran and his family. How the stars and sun and alignments all have influence over him is interesting, but it was the weirdest thing to put it at the end instead of perhaps somewhere near the beginning (or better yet, not at all). Truthfully, I got fed up and quit during the middle of the final bit.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Sheeran

I was amazed of how much of a hard worker Ed was, and it was about always creating his own luck by not turning down opportunities.