Ani DiFranco: Righteous Babe

Great biography!! Even as a long time fan you can still learn something new. Much of the biography is direct quotes from Ani's many interviews. Great reading for old fans, new fans, and/or for anyone with any appreciation for music.

I was quite pleased when I found out that someone had taken the time to write this much about ani. The book was a great source of information, even though it's probably all on the internet who wants to spend days searching for all this info. when it's all in one handy book? I mean really people, any ani fan can at least appreciate it greatly. The only thing that bothered me mainly about the book was how the author made such a seperation between two "kinds" of ani fans. It was a blanket statement and being a 15 year old fan it bothered me a little bit. Some people seem to think that all teenagers are irrational in their tastes. I don't "worship" anyone and I don't think that's a good way to label a fan. Yes, I am deeply deeply moved by ani's music and respect very very much her righteous deeds and words. I guess I don't like being automatically put in a group because of my age. Other than that, it was an excellent read.

I read a few nasty reviews of this book and I wanted to check it out for myself.Like many others, I really would have liked a book on ANi, by Ani, or someone who knows her well. This is not that book, but it NEVER SAID IT WAS.THis book is easier to read than a monitor screen, and has good insights and notes and photos. The creation of this book has lead me to ask, "Who really best to analyze Ani Difranco and other feminists?" It is obvious that the author is not female. That's not bad, he just has a second hand look at womanhood as opposed to experiencing it first-hand. The thing is, fierce womanhood celebrated is why most of us love ANi and her music so much. So it is important. And it is an important reason for why books and music by woman are needed--they express what being a woman every day in this country is like. That is important to say OUT LOUD! But, it doesn't make Raffaele Quirino the devil.I struggle with my own feelings about ANI. Is it lame to worship her like so many of us do? My worshipness with ani is not with her as an individual. She can do whatever she wants with her life and love. I just really feel like I have been impacted by her music and the ideology behind her music, which is so often muted in our not often woman-affirming culture. It gets me proud and then I want to be proud all over. This book should not be blacklisted by ANi fans, just maybe pondered over. It is definitly worth a ponder.

I think that the author did a good job with the information and access he was allowed. Photographs are great!

I think this is a wonderful book. It captures Ani and her fierce independence. It is not a biography so I am sure not all in it is true. I am reading it to learn about the fans and the music. Ani's personal life is no one's business but her own. All of you waiting for her personal biography are being silly. Her biography is already out there. Her songs are her biography. She chooses what she wants to tell us. I have been a fan of Ani's music since 1995 and know alot about her. I have been to many many of her concerts. This book is entertaining and well written. It's not shakespeare, it's entertainment about an entertainer.