Ingrid Croce

A raw look at greatness

I was born in Oct 1972. I didn't know who sang "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" as a kid, but as a young adult I became intrigued by this wonder voice and lyrics from this guy with a huge smile (and moustache). Now as a 46 yr old I wanted to learn more about the man, and this book was exactly what I was looking for. This is the true Jim Croce book. As of this review in two days time Jim Croce will have been gone from this earth for 46 yrs but he will never be forgotten, Thank show more you Ingrid for the raw emotional tale o your great husband. show less

I'm not sure what to say about this book. Here's some of my thoughts:

1. I've been listening to Jim Croce's live album on my tablet at work. I'm loving it. I'm loving the songs, the dialog - it's great. It put me in the mood to learn about someone who died a tragic death before I was even old enough to know who he was.

2. The writing seems stilted and at times the book is awkward and difficult to get through. (I realize Ingrid Croce is not a professional writer.)

3. There are things in here I show more didn't really want to know about Jim Croce and about Jim and Ingrid's difficult marriage. It's really, really sad. I feel like I would have left him a thousand times before the end but it's not me and it's not my story. It is what it is and it is what happened.

4. Unfortunately, I like Jim Croce a lot less than I used to. (And I just got to like him!) Sigh. Why did I read this?

5. Another note - I read that A.J. Croce (his son) went blind when he was about 4 and he now has partial sight in one eye. The official record says it was a brain tumor, but in an interview I read online dated 2015 he says it was from physical abuse from his Mom's boyfriend. That's super sad - she put up with Jim and his crap and then she dated someone far worse. show less

The Jim Croce story as told by his wife, warts and all. An engaging read for any fan.

Very disappointing. It is more about Ingrid than Jim. Many of the conversations have to be regarded as suspect as they are re-created almost 40 years after the events. Writing delivery and style are barely passable, often tedious, and almost at a sappy Oprah " Oh wow!" caliber. Although i will not recount them here, a number of knowledgeable Croce followers indicated that the documentation is extremely flawed with errors in chronology and content.
I liked Croce's music but this does nothing show more to enhance his legacy. show less