NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A 2023 ROLLING STONE RECOMMENDED BOOK

FINALIST for the 2017 Legislative Assembly of Ontario Speaker's Book Award
Nominated for the 2018 Heritage Toronto Award - Historical Writing: Book

“The preeminent account of the late singer's life.”
—Rolling Stone

“Perhaps the greatest gift of. . .Lightfoot is that [it leads] you right back to [his] music. Feels like you never left, only better.”
—Maclean’s

“An informative, highly readable book . . . Lightfoot fans should rejoice.”
—The Globe and Mail

“Jennings as always is a master storyteller . . . His deft manipulation of narrative, told in clear language, draws the reader in immediately . . . Jennings’s true gift might be his ability to slowly reveal Lightfoot to us – over the course of the book, the complexity of his character emerges, through a peeling away of the many layers the notoriously reticent singer has kept hidden. . . the best reward for Lightfoot fans who have waited for so long: Lightfoot is your chance to finally know him deeply.”
—National Post

“This is the definitive book on Gordon Lightfoot's life and lengthy career.”
—FYI Music News
 
“To read this book is to come away with a greater understanding of how a young choirboy from Orillia became one of Canada’s most revered songwriters and performers, and beloved among music fans around the world and across genres.”
—NOW Magazine

“Acclaimed Canadian music historian Nicholas Jennings presents the definitive biography of a national musical treasure.”
—Zoomer
 
“The biography for which the songwriter’s fans have been patiently waiting. Jennings investigates the music and the man.”
—Toronto SUN

“If you could read Gordon Lightfoot’s mind, this is the tale his thoughts could tell. . .This is very much Gord’s story, his version.”
—The Washington Post

“This portrait of a stoic, deeply talented and driven man is an engaging and moving one. An essential read for anyone who cares about late 20th century troubadours.”
—The Buffalo News

"Thorough and generous, without ignoring the singer's warts."
—Winnipeg Free Press

“Nicholas Jennings’ fascinating biography solidifies [Lightfoot’s] legend…readers discover the two sides of the man who has told Canada’s story to the world in song.”
—Montreal Times


Other Musicians on Gordon Lightfoot

 “I can’t think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don’t like. Everytime I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever . . . Lightfoot became a mentor for a long time. I think he probably still is to this day.”
—Bob Dylan

 “An extremely fine piece of songwriting.”
—Johnny Cash on “Canadian Railroad Trilogy”

 “What a song—that’s my favourite on the record.”
—Neil Young, about covering “If You Could Read My Mind” on his A Letter Home album  
“Gordon had a real loyal following all over the place, including over in Europe. When he’d play in L.A., they would come out in droves. It was a ritual that, whenever he’d do his tour, all these people would come and see him. They loved him. A very talented guy.”
—Robbie Robertson