Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the 1970s New York Scene
Burning Down the House is Jonathan Gould’s biography of Talking Heads and the downtown New York music scene that shaped the band. It connects their art-school beginnings and changing sound with the cultural setting and internal tensions behind their legacy.
At a glance
- Jonathan Gould traces Talking Heads from their art-school origins through their rise and eventual breakup.
- The book also examines downtown New York in the 1970s, where art, music and commerce intersected.
- The publisher presents it as a broad account of the band's sound, public image and influence on rock.
Reference price: $43.50
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionOften bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines band history with a portrait of the New York scene around it.
- The 512-page length allows room for an in-depth account rather than a brief overview.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Mariner Books |
|---|---|
| Publication date | June 17 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 512 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0063022982 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0063022980 |
| Weight listed | 680 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.88 x 3.81 x 23.5 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Talking Heads fans seeking a substantial band biography.
- Readers interested in 1970s New York music and the meeting of rock and avant-garde culture.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a short introduction rather than a 512-page biography.
- Readers seeking a biography of another artist or a general history of rock without a focus on Talking Heads.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
60% 60% - 4 stars
25% 25% - 3 stars
11% 11% - 2 stars
4% 4% - 1 star
0% 0%
Customer feedback describes the book as well-researched, in-depth and comprehensive, with positive reactions to its content. The overall rating distribution is mostly positive but includes some middle and lower ratings, so experiences are not uniformly favourable. For readers wanting a substantial band history, the reported depth is relevant to the book's 512-page format, though it does not establish that every reader will find the coverage equally satisfying.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the content as well-researched and in-depth.
- Feedback describes the approach as comprehensive.
Frequently asked questions
What does this book cover?
It follows Talking Heads from their art-school origins through the band's career and breakup, while placing their story in the context of downtown New York in the 1970s.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 512 pages.
Who wrote Burning Down the House?
The listing identifies Jonathan Gould as the author.
Alternative options
Backstage Pass: Decades of Sex, Drugs, Tragedy and the Darker Side of Rock & Roll
$9.99
Veils of Distortion: How the News Media Warps Our Minds
$5.99
Pyotr: The Life and Music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
$15.99
Frontier Lives of the Old West: Daily Survival, Work, Family and Community Beyond the Cowboy Myth
$23.49
The Power of Discipline: How to Use Self Control and Mental Toughness to Achieve Your Goals
$24.99
A Brief History of Canada: How the Clash of French, British and Native Empires Forged a Unique Identity
$17.99
The Boy From Block 66: A WW2 Jewish Holocaust Survival True Story
$22.99
Veils of Distortion: How the News Media Warps Our Minds
A Brief History Of Classical Music
Poop and Learn About Everything: Fun Facts and Trivia About Pop Culture, Science, History, Sports, Technology, Animals, Space, and So Much More
Desperately Seeking Sex & Sobriety: A cautionary tale of Sex Tourism, Drugs, Alcoholism, Prostitution & Suicide
