Summary

In the forward, Bruce Springsteen provides some context for why he decided to write this book. He says it is a "continuation of [his] story" and a search into its origins" (xi). He writes that he, like his hometown "is tinged with a bit of fraud" (xi). However, he had youth, experience, a supportive team, and a story to tell. He writes that in the following pages he will attempt to shed light on how and why he does what he does, as well as how "the events of [his] life have shaped [his] story and [his] performance work" (xi).

Analysis

From the beginning, Bruce sets up the idea of artists as a particular kind of fraud. He writes of himself as "a member in good standing amongst those who 'lie' in service of the truth ... artists with a small 'a'" (xi). As such...