Bob Dylan is the subject of the acclaimed biopic A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet. The singer-songwriter defied expectations to become an influential icon despite a troubled past—winning Academy, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards; receiving the National Medal of Arts and the Nobel Prize in literature; and meriting a Pulitzer Prize special citation. Explore Dylan’s life and music through these books, CDs, and DVDs.
BIO DYLAN
Bob Dylan, The Essential Interviews / Bob Dylan
This is a collection edited by Jonathan Cott, compiling over two dozen significant interviews with the singer. Spanning his career from street poet to Nobel laureate, it offers a multi-faceted portrait of the artist and his legacy.
BIO DYLAN
Folk Music: A Bob Dylan Biography in Seven Songs / Greil Marcus
Marcus explores Dylan’s lasting influence on American song through seven transformative tracks. Dylan’s ability to “see myself in others” shapes his songwriting, making his work both personal and universally resonant. The book highlights his mix of patriotism and skepticism, showing how he redefined folk music while drawing from its deep roots. More than a biography, it’s a rich history of folk songs revitalized through Dylan’s imaginative vision.
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Bob Dylan Revisited / Bob Dylan
Rendered in striking, explosive graphic form, many of Dylan’s most famous songs are illustrated as they’ve never been before. Mesmerized by the power of his lyrics and intrigued by the possibilities of translating his powerful, enigmatic personality into art, thirteen leading graphic artists banded together to create this unusual testament to the universality and transcendent vision of an American musical genius.
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The Philosophy of Modern Song / Bob Dylan
Dylan, who began working on this book in 2010, offers a master class on the art and craft of songwriting. He writes over sixty essays focusing on songs by other artists, from Stephen Foster to Elvis Costello, and ranging from Hank Williams to Nina Simone. He analyzes what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal. These essays are mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they really focus on the human condition.
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Bob Dylan All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track / Philippe Margotin
A comprehensive account of Dylan’s album cuts, bootlegs, and soundtrack recordings includes details that led to the composition of each song, what went on in the recording studio, and behind-the-scenes accounts of musicians on each track.
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Dylan: The Biography / Dennis McDougal
Through extensive interviews and research, Dennis McDougal presents an in-depth look at Dylan’s transformation from a near-oblivion heroin addict to a revered literary and musical figure. The biography probes his complex personal life, mysterious motorcycle accident, and creative resurgence, offering unprecedented insights into the latest, remarkable chapter of his enduring career.
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I’m Not There / Todd Haynes
The life of Bob Dylan is examined through multiple variations of his own personality and career, as played by a series of different actors.
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Blood on the Tracks / Bob Dylan
This is a deeply personal album exploring themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships, often interpreted as reflecting Dylan’s own struggles during his separation from his wife, Sara.
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Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan / Bob Dylan
Amnesty International presents a collection that pays homage to the work of Dylan while also spotlighting various issues in the fight for human rights.
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The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan / Bob Dylan
Released in 1963, this album was inspired by the civil rights movement and the antiwar movement against Vietnam. Within the record, the songs “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Masters of War” particularly became renowned anthems for peace and equality for Americans.
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Modern Times / Bob Dylan
This 2006 album explores themes of mortality, contradiction, and the acceptance of the human condition, showcasing Dylan’s storytelling and musical prowess.
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Nashville Skyline / Bob Dylan
Released in 1969, this is a country-rock album that marked a shift in Dylan’s musical style, featuring a gentle croon and simple, direct songs, including the hit “Lay, Lady, Lay” and a duet with Johnny Cash.
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Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back / Bob Dylan
The 1965 documentary by D.A. Pennebaker offers a rare, intimate look at 23-year-old Bob Dylan during his U.K. tour. Capturing his concerts, candid hotel moments, and travel downtime, the film reveals Dylan’s private, often irritable side. It also marks a pivotal moment—his breakup with Joan Baez and his transition from folk to rock. This behind-the-scenes portrait pulls back the curtain on a young artist at a creative crossroads.
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Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story / Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese’s documentary about Bob Dylan’s legendary 1975 tour, which featured a band of troubadours including Joan Baez, Allen Ginsberg, and Joni Mitchell, blends behind-the-scenes archival footage, interviews, and narrative mischief.
