Ghost Rider - Neil Peart

Ghost Rider

By Neil Peart

  • Release Date: 2002-01-06
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 180 Ratings

Description

Within a ten-month period, Neil Peart lost both his 19-year-old daughter, Selena, and his wife, Jackie. Faced with overwhelming sadness and isolated from the world in his home on the lake, Peart was left without direction. This memoir tells of the sense of personal devastation that led him on a 55,000-mile journey by motorcycle across much of North America, down through Mexico to Belize, and back again.

Peart’s journey of self-exile and exploration chronicle his personal odyssey and include stories of reuniting with friends and family, grieving, and reminiscing. He recorded with dazzling artistry, the enormous range of his travel adventures, from the mountains to the seas, from the deserts to the Arctic ice, and the memorable people who contributed to his healing.

Ghost Rider is a brilliantly written, and ultimately triumphant narrative memoir from a gifted writer and the drummer and lyricist of the legendary rock band Rush.

Reviews

  • Ghost Rider

    4
    By enj0yl!f3
    As a lyricist for Rush, he was great at painting the scene and with his drums making you feel the rhythm. As an author he allows you to hear, see and experience his “ghost rides” like no one else I’ve read. You feel his anguish, his loss of family, and the heart of all those who stood by him in his journey to a better place for his “little baby soul”. This is a great read about the man not the band through which he is known.
  • On my wish list

    4
    By turbolarry52
    I have even more reason to read this. I knew Neil was Rush's lyricist, but reading the preview and some of his biography- how well read he was- it makes sense- There's a great deal of intelligence and creativity in those lyrics, and being well read certainly enriches one's vocabulary and the ability to write a song whose lyrics flow throughout their music. He wasn't known as the professor for nothing. He's drumming in heaven with Keith Moon and John Bonham. I look forward to reading his book, I feel that I'm going through a similar adventure in life. I may be on the same journey- without a motorcycle and with a different ending. RIP Neil Peart.
  • Life changing

    5
    By dust1989
    This book changed my life, completely and utterly. The writing is great, the pacing is great, and the story is so heartbreakingly great.. This man went through the pits of hell and found himself on a motorcycle.. Riding for his life. It awoke a passion for travel I didn’t know I had, and Neil through this book and the rest of them, changed my perspective on everything. A must read for travelers, a must read for grievers, a must read for musicians.. RIP Neil Ellwood Peart. My mentor. :(
  • Depressing

    1
    By nsr0717
    Sorry, am long term rider and thought it was different based on a recommendation.
  • Ghost Rider

    5
    By Waterdog 559
    Now I can appreciate Neil Peart for being more than just a great writer of lyrical prose and musician, I can wholeheartedly appreciate his journey as a man seeking a new life after tragedy. I believe everyone goes through some level of these feelings in their life, but many don’t rebound from the horrible circumstances Neil endured because they just don’t have the will to try or can find the vehicle (literally his motorcycle) to move forward. He struggled on the healing road but persevered and found a new love of life. This inspirational book has made me self- examine my own life and realize how precious time is. I was always a huge fan of Rush and now I’m an even bigger fan of Neil, the author. Bravo, sir!
  • The most amazing thing I’ve ever read.

    5
    By Cryptoman13
    From a young Rush fanatic, Neil Peart is my absolute idol, and nothing less. I’m personally going through some extremely trying times, and this book has gotten me through it more than anyone in my life could. Thank you Mr. Peart for publishing such an incredible tale, and you have helped me more than you could ever imagine. Please read this book, You will not regret it.
  • Good Book

    5
    By Texastiger
    Peart is not only a gifted musician and songwriter but a very talented book writer also. Interesting story of part of his life that was both dark and adventurous. Good read.
  • Very Deep...Very Neil!

    5
    By RonS1985
    Very sad, but I can relate having lost my mother in 1999, from a murder-suicide. I could feel Neil's pain every mile. I had heard about Neil's loss but did not know of his therapeutic travels. I could've easily joined him. Such a tragic loss, but I'm so happy Neil was able to find love, himself, and his sticks again. Great book, bad story.
  • Ghost Rider Rocks

    4
    By Cyber_Grunt
    Great book, well written though I found all the letters to his friend highly boring. A good read otherwise.
  • Unbelievably good

    5
    By StewDog1010
    Neil Peart is an exceptionally good writer and storyteller. If you've ever ridden a motorcycle, or been a vagabond, or dealt with great loss, or loved Rush, buy this book. It is very well written and can also double as a travel guide to some amazing places. I've been to some of these on a GS and they are just as amazing as Mr Peart describes them so elegantly.