Bonus Book Review: “David Bowie Retrospective and Coloring Book” by Mel Elliot

I received David Bowie Retrospective and Coloring Book by Mel Elliott from a new program I enrolled at Crown Publishing called Blogging for Books. I look over their list of recent releases and if there is anything I’m interested in, they will send it to me in exchange for my review. When I chose this book to review on this blog, I had hoped that the author would mention that David Bowie‘s first number one hit “Fame” was co-written by John Lennon. Unfortunately, the song gets no mention in this book.

This book is smaller than I imagined it to be. It measures 8.25″ x 8.25″. Its cover is dark blue with the title printed in a metallic copper and matte red finish. The book is listed as being a paperback, but is actually a stiff cardboard cover. Also includes a red ribbon for bookmarking fastened to its binding.

From the title page to the discography and awards, this book is all black & white text and images to color. Even the text is hollow for the readers express their artistic style with geometric backgrounds to keep one busy. The book highlights David Bowie’s fashion style and is filled with illustrations of his many costumes over his 50 year career.

David Bowie Retrospective and Coloring Book is going to cause a lot of mental anguish to die-hard Bowie fans unless they are provided with two copies of this book…one for their collection and one to actually color. But don’t look for any new revelations or deep thoughts in the text of this book. It’s primarily brief descriptions, with credits to the designers, of his costumes for photo shoots and on tour.

This book is best suited to collectors or fans. And for that reason…

I rate this book, 2 out of 4 Beetles.