"Marshals impressive scholarship to assimilate the Boss into the main currents of American thought." - A.O. Scott (The New York Times Book Review) "Jim Cullen writes with authority and empathy about the blue-collar roots that shaped Bruce Springsteen and gave rise to his music of rebellion. This is a provocative look at one of America's cultural icons." - Eleanor Clift (Newsweek) "Cullen's line-by-line analysis of Bruce's songs crackles with insight." (New York Daily News) "In articulating what's behind the vaguely red-white-and-blue sentiments that Springsteen's songs so often evoke, he has written a book as unpretentious and good-hearted as its subject." (Boston Phoenix) "This is a well-written, painstakingly researched, and surprisingly unpretentious book.

" (Asbury Park Press) "Cullen's unapologetic pursuit of deeper cultural meanings in Bruce Springsteen's music and life is refreshing . he proves a sensitive interpreter of Springsteen's work." (Publisher's Weekly) "Cullen's study of Bruce Springsteen is a full-fledged cultural critique . his parting words, 'When I listen to Bruce Springsteen, I remember how to be an American,' finally ring true." (Kirkus Reviews) "Offers illumination and thoughtful, discriminating observations about its myriad subjects. And it has aged almost as well as Nebraska ." - Eric Alterman (The Nation).