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From Manchester with Love

The Life and Opinions of Tony Wilson

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From Manchester with Love

By: Paul Morley
Narrated by: Paul Morley
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About this listen

THE TIMES & UNCUT MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR

Critically-acclaimed and bestselling author Paul Morley's long-awaited biography of Factory Records co-founder and Manchester icon Tony Wilson.

A BOOK OF THE YEAR SUNDAY TIMES, NEW STATESMAN, MOJO, LOUDER THAN WAR

'Compelling . . . befitting its extraordinary subject.'
BRIAN ENO

'Bracing and often surprisingly tender . . . the perfect monument.'
SUNDAY TIMES

'Via Morley's magical prose Tony Wilson comes back to life . . . inspiring.'
RICHARD RUSSELL

Tony Wilson was a man who became synonymous with his beloved city. As the co-founder of the legendary Factory Records and the Haçienda, he appointed himself a custodian of Manchester's legacy of innovation and change, becoming a cultural pioneer for the North. To Paul Morley, he was this and much more: bullshitting hustler, flashy showman, inventive broadcaster, self-deprecating chancer, publicity seeker, loyal friend. It was Morley to whom Wilson left a daunting final request: to write this book.

From Manchester with Love is the biography of a man who changed the world around him through sheer force of personality. In the cultural theatre of Manchester, Tony Wilson broke in and took centre stage.

'An immersive experience . . . very moving indeed.'
MIRANDA SAWYER, OBSERVER

'Not just a "biog" but the story of a city's history and culture and a unique and disappearing figure.'
STUART MACONIE, NEW STATESMAN

'Morley's biography is as illuminating on Wilson's strange ability to hold others in his orbit, even after his death, as it is on the story of his life.'
THE SPECTATOR

'The man/myth Wilson died aged 57 in 2006, but here he burns on fantastically bright.'
UNCUT

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Paul Morley (P)2021 Faber & Faber
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Critic reviews

"Reading From Manchester With Love I feel I understand the times we've lived through differently, better and from new angles. The writing is compelling and musical, befitting its extraordinary subject. I never met Tony Wilson, but now I feel as though I knew him well - and I'm sorry that I didn't." (Brian Eno)

What listeners say about From Manchester with Love

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A fantastic book

A moving literary monument, captures Wilson, Manchester, life, art, philosophy, death, music and humanity with great skill.

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Great biography

The author has written a superb biography of Tony Wilson, and by extension, the story of 20th Century Manchester as well. Very well researched and performed. A real joy to listen to. Thanks.

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A travesty..,

…that I was able to listen to all 20+ hours of this excellent audiobook for the measly price of a monthly Audible subscription. Someone tell Paul Morley he’s been robbed!

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7 people found this helpful

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Mr Manchester

To Paul What a great book mate Thank you To Tony, the man who help shape my early life with his part in the amazing creation FAC51. RIP. You will always be Manchester, of The North.

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6 people found this helpful

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From Manchester with Love

love this book,really sad in parts but a great insight well done Paul Morley

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Way better than I expected

I was never a fan of the pretentious writings of the NME, and hence Morley, but I've always been intrigued by the contradictory personalities of Tony Wilson so this bio presented a bit of a dilemma. Initially I didn't buy it, but later decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did.

I think what Morley needs is an editor to remove some of his flights of fancy and to cut down some of the irritating streams of adjectives. Then he'd have a five star book rather than a four.

But the important thing here is that I felt I finally got to understand Tony Wilson because the way Morley put it all across on the whole was excellent. Aside from just a couple of chapters that I skipped, because they went off on obscure tangents, I enjoyed this book very much. I might even be tempted to buy another Morley book now. Yikes.

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Decent 😎

Whilst the story can flick quickly between years and lose itself a little, it's still very enjoyable and worth the concentration to continue listening 😎

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Attention to detail is incredible

So stoked to of been born in Manchester & lived through some of these times with so much dope music & design, such an inspiring book, all the Factory lot & supporters & fans big ups for having such mega top spirits, eternal souls & the best zeal & zest, proof there’s well more to life than money & ideology.

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An unconventional account of an unconventional man

I think Tony Wilson would have liked this book. It plays to his pretentions. Those who want a straightforward retelling of the Factory saga will be disappointed. When the story finally winds around to Joy Division and New Order, the details become sparse. There is only limited discussion of their music, but this is deliberate. There have been enough accounts of this. This is an investigation of the tumbling words and schemes of a man. If you want to read a lot about situationism this is for you. If you don't. It might not. At times the portrait provided is not flattering, but Morley writes beautifully about his passing and I found myself wiping away the tears. Tony Wilson comes across as infuriating and endearing. Horrible to his partners, but the father of two great kids. In summary, I think Tony Wilson would have liked this book.

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9 people found this helpful

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FAC Totem ;o)

Wilson writ large, as seen from various viewpoints, by an author whose insider perspective alternately enlightens then annoys. Unashamedly biased in Wilson's favour but no less of a representation of him for all that. A valuable companion to the books by Hook, Morris et al.

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3 people found this helpful