The Uncool: A Memoir
4.6 | 1,329 ratings
Price: 17.05
Last update: 01-14-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Anastasia BeaverhausenGreat Read!If you’ve ever loved a song, felt the goosebumps at a live-show moment, dreamed of speaking to your heroes and found your voice anyway — this book will resonate. It’s funny, heartfelt, beautifully written, and often feels like the soundtrack playing just beneath the words. I closed it feeling inspired, nostalgic, and grateful for stories that remind us what it means to chase something — music, identity, belonging.
A must-read for music fans, film lovers (hello, Almost Famous roots), and anyone who has ever been the outsider looking in. Crowe’s journey is quirky, bold, and above all, deeply human. - Scott F. GriffinSuch a wonderful book.....!Cameron Crowe and I are the same age (give or take a month or two) and he has captured everything about being a huge rock and roll fan in the 1970s and 1980s just perfectly in his wonderful new book: The clothes, the hair, the manner of speech, the weed, and especially being uncool.
Back in those prehistoric times there were so few sources of info about your favorites bands and artists.
I can remember anxiously waiting for the next issue of Rolling Stone to appear in the mailbox and reading the whole thing within an hour of its appearance. The articles by Cameron Crowe were such a significant part of those times.
In his new book, the stories he tells of growing up with his parents and siblings ring so true and are so poignant.
Especially struggling to convince his parents of the virtue, artistry, and necessity of rock and roll. The chapters where he talks about his relationship with his sisters and his mother (and their relationship with his mother) are very touching and very perceptive. As with all of his work, he has such a keen eye for the small details and subtle interactions that color everything in a relationship.
Some of the chapters on his family are extremely moving and you can tell that even though the Crowe family of the 1970s may have been a little bit off-kilter, there was an abundance of love for each other in the family and that same love for each other is demonstrated through the years and throughout the book.
The stories of his adventures with The Allman Brothers, Ron Wood, David Bowie, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Rota Collidge, Ronnie Van Zant, The Who, and all the others put you right there next to him.
They are a wonderful and detailed look into the work of a great (and very young at that time) writer and reporter.
Again, such a wonderful and poignant book. So worth the read.
Many thanks Mr Crowe for your memories.
They brought back so many great memories in my mind.
Scott G. - Thaddeus W. SmithA Must Read for All The Aging Music Loving BoomersOutstanding in all respects. Could not put it down. If you loved the movie you’ll cherish this book and the emotions it creates.
- Amazon CustomerLet's you feel like you're part of Cameron Crowes birds-eye view of the music worldThis is an excellent book that should easily delight any of the Boomer crowd (to whom I belong) as well as anyone who wants a clear eyed and well narrated world of music and the arts. If you remember the Joni Mitchell line "stoking the star maker machinery, behind the popular song", this book gives you a glimpse of that world in a highly entertaining and engrossing way. So many tales of great musicians, what makes them tick, and very often showing how they became the great artists they are. Cameron Crowe is an exceptional writer that has that rare ability to let you feel like you're in the room with him as much when he talks about his family life as when he is engaged in a conversation with a great musician.
I'm looking forward to re-watching his epic "Almost Famous" since I know the book will dovetail well with it. Again, Cameron Crowe has that ability to make you feel like "you were there". That's my recollection of that movie, as well as the overall flow of the book.
In the end, this is a grand book about music by a man who both writes musically and obviously loves music. Highly recommend. - KimHonest humble truth with humor.Bought the book & the audio also.
Could not stop listening. Very witty, funny and a great story.
Written clearly that there was no need to rewind; you got it the first time. Only rewound to hear the Cool Wows, Whoas, & Whats again!
"It's all happening!"
Love it. - JL PopulistCameron Crowe’s AutobiographyAs a fan of Cameron Crowe dating back to the movie “Almost Famous”, I had to read his memoir.
“The Uncool” does not disappoint!
Some of his memoir is a little familiar from the movie.
What we learn about his family is personal and heart warming. His mother Alice emerges as a unique, fascinating character.
I liked the interviews he did with rock stars as a kid.
The book was a fast read and entertaining throughout. Very well done!
I really liked this book. It’s one of my favorite autobiographies that I have read to date. - Amazon Customer“The Uncool:A Memoir” by Cameron CroweFinished “The Uncool:A Memoir” by Cameron Crowe.
The beginning started out a bit slow for me but by the time I finished understood why, it’s the foundation of his story.
Quite honestly I didn’t know much about him but saw an interview and it piqued my interest and now I’m glad and have more reading to do. Filled with humor, pathos, joy and a ton of music history from my era. Love of music is a common thread through many of my friendships so his recollections resonated in so many ways. Thank you. Teri Murray - Michelle AlexanderVery cool and inspiringInspiring way to look at one’s life, through the love of music and how it narrates one’s history. Very insightful way of also looking at one’s family dynamics. Cameron Crowe is deeply personal and engaging and goes even deeper into sharing who he is and how he was shaped beyond the biopic Almost Famous.