Don't buy this book about The Police - Cris Campion

[Marcela]

http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Moon-Unto ... addOneStar

Campion's book "Walking on the Moon" is horribly biased. There is not a single positive comment about the band or Stewart. Campion is a jerk.

[ltwoman]

Despite all the bad press I went ahead and ordered it with a gift card from my brother-in-law. I figured what the heck, it was a freebie anyway. I don't really expect to like it, but I was too curious not to read it for myself. I'm sure it's trash.

[Marcela]

Well, I hope you find some value in it. I think Campion should have done a survey of punk and new wave music rather than spent so much time putting down the Police.

[BarkingDogSoundtrack]

I received this book for Christmas. Without a doubt, it IS an interesting read ... However, the author clearly HATES the Police, finds nothing orignal about them AND asserts that Stewart, ANdy and Sting hate each other as well.

Speaking of the reunion tour, Campion seems to take glee in that thought that the band looks older. As if two men appraoching 60 and another appraoching 70 should look like they did 30 years ago.

If you are interested in this book, but don't want to pay full price for it, just wait - next year you'll find it at Barnes & Noble, etc. in the bargain bin for $3.98.

Stephen

[dufmanno]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the same author who penned "Escape from Bellevue".
That's one crazy-ass MF.
Oh, I did find the Police book a tad over the top but just slightly enjoyable because of how much he really seemed to dislike Andy. I mean, who the hell doesn't like Andy?

[63falcon]

Hmmmm....I have not been able to locate copy at bookstores or at my work/Library. Am thinking now that I won't pursue any longer......doesn't like Andy!! I LOVE AndyS, he is The Man on the guitar And Mr. Summers went on Tourzilla looking like a very good lookin' 64, not trying to yoga himself into the PopStar. Stewart, well my very 'guy' boyfriend thought Himself was looking fine, 52+ or not!
Ok am calming down, gotta' digest my tasty leftover-lunch!

[dufmanno]

If you've been a Police fan for any length of time, you've already committed most of the stuff he writes about to memory anyway.
He seems most aggravated at the golden reputation they have for themselves with both fans and critics. It's almost as if they have some sort of teflon exterior that's never been penatrated and this Campion guy gives it a go. Clearly he's not all immune to the "charm offensive". He does slip in a few hints that he does in fact like the band underneath all that snarky, disgruntled, journalistic nasty nonsense. All in all though, just stuff you already have read about.

[Mario]

Just finished the book.

According to this guy, nothing The Police ever did, was either sincere, good or not manipulated.

In other words, millions of fans were fooled for the last 33 years.

Also according to this biased so called author, Sting is a complete jerk, Andy is an average guitar player, a terrible photographer and a retired has been, Stewart is a disaster as a composer and his drumming skills are not even mentionned.

His tone is as if he was the only one in the world who could actually see this alleged "fraud". While, of course, making a buck over it. The same accusation he throws at Miles for basically everything he ever did.

In the final chapter he writes and quotes Stewart as saying something like "The Police musical or cultural legacy is zero".

So, why bothering to write a book about it, then?

[Bry]

I just read this book after picking it up for $2. It's weird because there's a lot of research and analysis of the various accounts that have been given over the years.. the kind of stuff a fan would know, but then it's as if he goes back and follows every semi-positive statement with a stupid sounding opinion tantrum. He literally disses Sting for not offering real solutions to the world's problems in his songs. Who the hell does he listen to who meets this kind of criteria?

He goes into deep analysis of cover art not even designed by the band. It's almost like saying "they chose black vinyl because of the darkness in their souls....and put it in a paper sleeve because of their thin exterior." He also thinks Mother is about Andy lusting after his mom (I love how Mother still screws with people, though). Anyway, the pages of psychoanalysis of Sting and the myriad reasons given for why various Police songs actually suck become comical after a while, but since I knew what to expect going in I was able to enjoy many of the quotes and stories in the book.

Now, if we could get Nigel Gray to write a book...