SKU: 82797001490

To Ease My Troubled Mind: The Authorized Unauthorized History of Billy Childish by Ted Kessler

Sale price$28.75 Regular price$31.95
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $7.99 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 24 - Aug 29

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

To Ease My Troubled Mind: The Authorized Unauthorized History of Billy Childish by Ted KesslerIn 1977, seventeen year old Steven Hamper was a stonemason in the dockyards of Chatham, Kent, in England. His heart, however, beat in sync with the punk rock tremors of the era, seduced by its celebration of amateurism. So, in a gesture of revolutionary defiance, he took a three pound club hammer and smashed his hand, vowing to never work again. In doing so, Steven Hamper metamorphosed into Billy Childish, a true Renaissance man. Childish has since

In 1977, seventeen-year-old Steven Hamper was a stonemason in the dockyards of Chatham, Kent, in England. His heart, however, beat in sync with the punk rock tremors of the era, seduced by its celebration of amateurism. So, in a gesture of revolutionary defiance, he took a three pound club hammer and smashed his hand, vowing to never work again. In doing so, Steven Hamper metamorphosed into Billy Childish, a true Renaissance man.

Childish has since remained steadfastly true to punk's DIY cred, becoming one of the most recognizable and authentic voices in whichever artistic endeavor he undertakes. He has released over 150 albums of raw rock and roll, punk, blues, and folk; and has written many volumes of searing poetry as well as several autobiographical novels. But what he is perhaps best known for in recent years is his painting, for which he is now critically, commercially, and internationally feted. He hasn't changed course in any of his disciplines, though. The world just caught up with the sheer volume of his brutally honest work.

To Ease My Troubled Mind is a mosaic portrait collated over a year of interviews with Childish, as well as with close family, ex-girlfriends, band members past and present, friends, foes, collaborators, even his therapist. It is an unflinching, yet frequently spiritual and funny portrait of an artist who is now one of the most prolific and uncompromising of his generation. The volume also includes a foreword by British comedian Stewart Lee.

The book is not a conventional biography. It was done at Childish's suggestion, with his cooperation, on the basis that he would never have to read it.-- "Uncut"

Writer Bio:Kessler, Ted
Ted Kessler was on the staff at NME as a writer and editor between 1993 and 2003, before joining Q magazine's staff, working there for sixteen years. He was Q's editor for four years, until it closed in 2020. His first book, Paper Cuts: How I Destroyed the British Music Press and Other Misadventures, was published in 2022. He also devised and edited the acclaimed My Old Man: Tales of Our Fathers, published in 2016.


1.4" H x 9.3" L x 6.1" W (1.3 lbs) 336 pages

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 82797001490

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 10 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Verified Purchase
Andraya
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
Great
Format: Kindle
What a great book. I loved the ending of the book. At first I wasnt too sure about it but now I want to keep reading it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2025
P
Verified Purchase
Paige Bruzdowski
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Intriguing
Format: Kindle
Very interesting world set up! I'm liking the characters more and more as we get to know them as well. At first I found it difficult to remember what powers each of the 3 monsters have, but the author does a great job of working it into the story to help the reader remember and eventually tell who is who much easier. Seems like a great start to a series. I can't wait to see where everything is heading.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
N
Verified Purchase
N Niem
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
In Love With These Interconnected Series
Format: Kindle
I am in love with these interconnected series!!!! I love getting sneak peeks at the girls we haven’t met yet and seeing the girls we know and love interact with each other. I also really enjoy the concept of how all of the sectors are set up and the way that the academy is run. Alexandra’s situation is especially unique as she has lived her whole life thinking that she is human while wishing that she wasn’t. She has created her own monsters to protect her from the monsters in her real life, but all of the sudden her monsters are real!!! I love how different this is from other stories that I have read, not a lot of characters will living beings with their own memories and thoughts into existence. I am also super excited to see how the ending translates into the next book and if there will be any ties to Greek mythology included.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2022
W
Verified Purchase
Whitney Moore
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
It’s an experience
Format: Paperback
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **A Riveting and Emotionally Charged Journey** "Unwanted" by Sirena Song is an absolute masterpiece that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go. The storytelling is impeccable, weaving together a tapestry of raw emotion, suspense, and heart-wrenching beauty. Song's ability to delve deep into the psyche of her characters makes them come alive, making you feel their pain, joy, and struggles as if they were your own. The plot is brilliantly crafted, full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Each chapter unfolds like a piece of a complex puzzle, gradually revealing the depth of the narrative. The themes of love, rejection, and redemption are explored with such nuance and sensitivity that it leaves a lasting impact. Sirena Song's prose is poetic and evocative, painting vivid pictures with her words and creating an immersive reading experience. The character development is outstanding, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. The ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving you pondering long after you've turned the last page. "Unwanted" is not just a book; it's an experience that touches the soul. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful and unforgettable read. Sirena Song has truly outdone herself with this one.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
T
Verified Purchase
TeamCieluch
Draper, US
★★★★★ 4
Totally Sweet
Format: Kindle
🔥OmegaVerse 🔥Single Mom 🔥Scent Match 🔥Emotional Trauma Well written, emotional omegaverse about a single mom of 2 with an ex-Alpha boyfriend that found his Omega and ditched his family. Cammie has a meet cute with Reid and Finton separately but they both find her to be their scent match. This book is totally sweet with lots of drama but lots of proving to Cammie that she is loved and wanted. My Personal Ratings: 5 Stars: Loved it! Couldn’t put it down or obsessed about it while needing to get to the end of it. Had to share some bits with my hubby!! Usually read in less than 2 days cause a girl has got to sleep sometime. Will be reading everything this author has to offer and most likely reread the series as next books in the series are released. 4 Stars: Really Good. Whether the story drew me in or a specific character, will definitely continue the series and look into more books by this author. 3 Stars: Enjoyed something about the book, whether it be the storyline or a character but also may have not liked something. Sometimes the book is great but needs some TLC from an editor. May or may not continue the series.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024

recommand products