This book takes us through Bruce Springsteen's life by tracing the cultural, political, and personal forces that shaped his music. Beyond his constant stylistic adaptations, Springsteen developed over the decades from expressing the voice of a guy from working class New Jersey to writing about the larger issues facing the country, including war, class disparity, and prejudice. The author draws on a range of new and little known sources, including hundreds of unreleased studio recordings and bootlegs of live performances, making this a reference for avid Springsteen fans as well as those interested in learning the stories behind his music. Combining political analysis, music history, and colorful storytelling, this book reveals how a gifted, ambitious community college dropout achieved superstardom and spent decades refining what he wanted his music to say.