I finally was able to read a book about a huge influence in my life. I would rather really have a drink with MacGowan, but the odds are not very good, so i'll settle for the text. The text is mostly written by Shane's wife/Girlfriend. What I got from this book was a huge eight part interview between Victoria, and Shane. The interviews varied from a cottage in Ireland, to a conversation at a pub. The book starts out with Shane reflecting his childhood in Ireland, and how his family moved throughout England, and how much he hated leaving Tippary, Ireland. I thought that was by far the best part of the book, and not the rantings and ravings about how bitter he seems about the breakup of The Pogues, or how he got nicked by the coppers, or sent to the looney bin. It was a good read, but not a great one. Some of Shane's answers vary from question to question, and Victoria even reminds him about it. I feel Mr. O'Hooligan (MacGowan)comes across as a brilliant, yet moody, sensitive poet/songwriter, who has been a part of a great period in music, from the beginning of U.K. punk, to the beginning of Celtic/Pirate/Punkrock. instead of the more traditional Celtic music, Shane helped the world hear Celtic music from a more modern punkrock type of angle. And look how far that "type" of music has come!!! From The Dropkick Murphys in Boston, To The Flogging Mollys In L.A., via one lead singer from Dublin. The Book is something every Shane/Pogues fan should have, but then again as a fan it's the only book I have(On the subject of Shane) A word of warning; I feel like Shane really didn't talk about the upside of being in the Pogues, because he seems to almost knock the other members of the band more than once. (Although he does have a Handwritten Apology on the last page in the book that says something like "I was only speaking from the Heart..." A heart still bitter about the breakup of The Pogues. The most important part of the book is when Shane explains how much he really truly loves his emerald isle of Ireland. That part was the best part of the book. Do give it a read!!

"A drink with Shane MacGowan" is a series of recorded interviews with Shane by longtime girlfriend Victoria Clarke. It is an interesting approach and Victoria gets Shane to open up in ways the media, of course, would be unable to. The beginning of the London punk scene, family, drugs/drink, racism, religion, authors, the end of the Pogues and his life's philosophy are just a few of the many topics covered by Shane and Victoria. Also included are some handwritten songs and drawings which were a cool touch and greatly contribute to the book. The only downside to this book was Victoria's overdone, heavy handed (and self complimentary) chapter introductions. But these will be easily forgiven, for this is a fascinating conversation with an amazing songwriter. Definitely recommended for any music, Pogues/Popes or punk fans.

This book is a series of interviews/chats conducted by Shane's wife(Victoria Mary Clarke). The format allows for some great storytelling about his past and family and helps to understand how he is the way he is. Great read for any fans of the shane MacGowan, the Pogues, or Ireland in general.

This account of a trip around Ireland never really reaches the heights it should. Although well written the problem is that the writer simply isn't that funny. Two things to remember: 1) this has nothing to do with Shane MacGowan, and 2) I reckon any reasonable writer could turn out this standard fare.

I'd hoped for an entertaining romp through all things Irish. Instead, the book delivered a few random drinking stories. They're well-written and occasionally entertaining, but the book's premise is really just a starting point for a series of meandering adventures.

First of all, let me confess I laughed a lot while reading this book; that said, let me add I remember very few details. That tells me it was excellent mind candy. The tale of a briton who goes to Ireland to sell his girlfriend's car, IS SHANE MACGOWAN STILL ALIVE? profiles regional Irish culture and comments on it with a good bit of wit. Like most British wit, there is a bit of contrived, or even forced, humor afoot, and it catches up with him.

Especially touching are his experiences in Donegal and the Southeast (on a sad resort town in Waterford), but his tales are more often than not somewhat hypocritical, in that he is critiquing tourists, even as he is one.