The book contains numerous photos from Peter Sanders and although they look
fine printed on the white rather than off-white paper, they would have been
so much lovelier on glossy paper, even though this would have added to the
expense of the book. As I am a pedant, this should be taken as a minor
criticism.

Obviously, as the photographs are all by Peter Sanders they are limited to a
specific period of Marc's life. The photographs do include both Marc's
original partners Steve Peregrin Took and Mickey Finn. Some are previously
unpublished while others have been used before. TAG for example used those
on pages 134 and 135 in 2000 for our 'There Was A Time' (Live at Middle
Earth - 23rd September 1967) CD with one used as the 'Limited Edition'
Numbered Insert limited to just 500 worldwide. Both photographs also
appeared on the Voiceprint Records reissue in 2002.

So overall, the book has plenty of photos, with enough previously
unpublished to elicit Ooohh's and Arrr's from fans.

Poetry - Reproduction of original pages
The book also includes pages of Marc's poetry, which has been reproduced,
presented on nicely 'framed' pages. Some readers might have enjoyed the
pages reproduced without the frame, so they would have been bigger.

However, they are large enough to be legible while also looking 'arty'.
Again, finances were no doubt a limiting factor as the entire book is black
and white. This is a pity because Tony talks of the different colours of pen
and pencil Marc used, in particular when making corrections on his
manuscripts. Having seen originals, I know that Marc would cross out a word,
at the time in the same pen/pencil, but later went back in a different
colour to improve the text and add punctuation. The differences between the
'errors' and 'later corrections' are not so easily seen when reduced to
black and white.

The Text
As well as reproducing the pages of poetry in Marc's own hand, the text is
included for those who find Marc's hand writing a little difficult.

Concerning Marc's hand writing the book contains the results of an analysis
of Marc's handwriting by an expert in Dyslexia. This makes interesting
reading, and debates will no doubt follow.

Tony examined the influences, which led to Marc writing each poem. He quotes
sections from the work of those who provided inspiration. I come from a
scientific rather than an 'arts' background and consequently found some of
the analyses quite heavy going.

The references to writings by Marc not included in the book could be a
disadvantage to those who have not got, or even seen a copy of these works
which include the Limited Editions such as the 'Krakenmist'.

The inclusion of interviews conducted by Tony is a definite plus. The
inclusions by many people including Riggs O'Hara are worth reading, although
Tony has on occasion disagreed with their recollections with reasoned
argument. Tony has quite successfully balanced his analysis of 'Marc Bolan -
The Man', not shying away from Marc's 'use' of people while they could be
'useful'.

Bolan Information Accuracy and Depth
Tony, who recounts his own experiences of seeing T-Rex live in 1972 are
interesting and well written. He saw them at Birmingham Odeon a venue I know
well living as I did, in the Midlands. In the Acknowledgements, Tony admits
to not being an 'expert' and indeed, there are not too many of us around!
:-)

As the book only arrived yesterday lunchtime I've read parts, skimmed
through parts and studied all the photos in great deal :-) Here are a couple
of things I picked up during my appraisal.

This jumped out at me. The reference to a song from 'Beginning of Doves'
called "Sarah Was An Angel". Oops. That should be "Sally Was An Angel",
although of course, there is the song "Sara Crazy Child", but that has a
different spelling of 'Sarah'.

The analysis of Marc's wonderful poem 'Blue Seeker' from which the
handwriting samples above come refers to 'Holland Park'. Although the
analysis starts of reasonably, Tony concludes "It could be that an element
of inspiration for this poem may have come from something Marc saw in the
park" ... "unfortunately there are no records available to help with that
possibility", before citing circumstantial links.

It is such a shame that Tony wasn't told that when John Peel arranged for
the photo session with Marc and Steve in the Autumn of 1967 with Ray
Stevenson, Marc suggested using Holland Park because of the 'Magic
Roundabout' murals painted on the fences would make good 'backdrops'. A
series of photographs from this session have been published in limited
numbers in the past and featured on CD's.

In addition, there is second crucial link between Holland Park and Marc
Bolan - Syd Barrett. Marc's wife June was formally Syd's girlfriend. In an
interview June said of Syd, "He used to go to the Youth Hostel in Holland
Park" ... "He used to come round to my house at five in the morning covered
in mud from Holland Park." In another interview June said, "Marc worshipped
Syd", so to suggest an attraction to Holland Park as somewhere Marc's 'Idol'
visited is certainly worthy of consideration. Therefore, it is a shame that
Tony was not able to use all the information available for his analyses.
Summary

In summation, some of the text is probably best 'dipped into' and in places
a good 'arts' background would no doubt help. The numerous handwriting
reproductions, along with the enchanting photographs give the book a nice
'look'. It is something of a Coffee Table Book, which the 'casual fan' may
choose to buy, although if they find it in a bookshop, a flick through the
photos may 'swing it'. For the more 'completist fan' and those with a
specific interest in Marc's writings, 'From Beneath The Wizard's Gown (Marc
Bolan Unglittered)' will make a nice addition to the 'Bolan Shelf'.

Star Rating ****

Fee Warner.