The Autobiography of Donovan: The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan Leitch, . . St. Martin's, $24.95 (287pp) ISBN 978-0-312-35252-3
A folk rocker and early prince of flower power, Donovan (b. 1946) shares wistful memories of his youth growing up in bombed-out Glasgow, Scotland; rambling adolescence in England; and precipitous stardom at age 18. Early on, Donovan (who's known by his first name) contracted polio, leaving him lame. An art student, Donovan left home by 16 to wander with his lifelong friend Gypsy Dave and taught himself how to play guitar by mimicking the folk styles of the Carter Family, Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, among others he credits. After appearances on the British TV show
Reviewed on: 10/03/2005
Genre: Nonfiction
Paperback - 289 pages - 978-0-312-36434-2