BOOK REVIEW: ‘The Light in Darkness” by Lawrence Kirsch

An NJ Discover(y):   A Freehold friend writes about a Freehold icon: Bruce Springsteen

Calvin Schwartz

Six weeks and three days ago I was contacted by Lawrence Kirsch, author and publisher of boutique books (especially about Bruce Springsteen).  Would I like to review ‘The Light In Darkness,’ his latest work, about Bruce Springsteen’s 1978 fourth album, ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’ and the tour as vividly articulated by Springsteen fans?  Of course, being one of those fans, I said how fast can I get the book and how high do I jump. My jumping was not high enough; this was a perfect pictorial (200 pictures) and word journey that took me soulfully back to 1978-1979. The pictures magically carpeted me into that world of Springsteen’s 1978 tour (with some of his most famous smaller venue shows, like Agora in Cleveland and the Capitol Theatre right here in Passaic) making me feel as if I was slipping through that elusive Freehold rabbit hole through a looking glass in coming to understand the darkness and anger behind the album. I studied the pictures. Bruce is from Freehold. I’m the next town over. Maybe I’d recognize a fellow Jerseyan in the pictures.  Because of the book, I’ve been listening to ‘Prove It All Night’ all week.

It was a perfect journey back to the future. Kirsch did amazing work analyzing themes of the album, which for me meant the opportunity for that special understanding and grasp into an American icon’s early days. Timing is everything as Bruce Springsteen just announced his 2012 tour. I’m not in the habit of tiptoeing through endorsements; however if you’ve got any proclivities and affinities for Bruce Springsteen and dreams and memories or verbal historic incisions, then you should order this limited edition book which is only available on line at

http://www.thelightindarkness.com/home

This makes a special holiday or any occasion gift!  Confession proudly revealed:  I always hope to bump into Bruce. The book is a taste; someday over a Freehold, New Jersey rainbow.  Thanks Lawrence Kirsch.

Pictures courtesy of   ©theLightinDarkness.com