Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
Last updated: 2 October 2026
Born to Run is Bruce Springsteen's autobiography, from a Catholic childhood in Freehold, New Jersey, to the E Street Band and the songs that made his name. He started writing it after the 2009 Super Bowl half-time show, and Simon & Schuster published it in September 2016. The UK paperback runs to 528 pages with an RRP of £12.99. On 2 October 2026 Amazon UK had it at £11.05.
The Amazon links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Born to Run covers
Springsteen starts with his family in Freehold and seeing Elvis Presley on television, which made him want to play. From there he follows the bar bands of the Jersey Shore, the clubs of Asbury Park and the forming of the E Street Band. The later chapters cover the albums, the stadium years and his family life.
He also writes about his father and about his own long periods of depression. Simon & Schuster describes the book as showing the experiences that shaped his songs. Many chapters link a song to the moment behind it.
Why it took seven years
According to Simon & Schuster, Springsteen began writing privately after his 2009 Super Bowl half-time performance. The hardback came out on 27 September 2016, seven years later. He read the audiobook himself, and it was released that December.
The book fed directly into Springsteen on Broadway, which opened in New York in October 2017. In that show he read passages from it between songs, and the run was extended until December 2018. A companion album, Chapter and Verse, came out four days before the book and gathered songs from across his career.
The Sunday Times called it "a heartfelt memoir", praising "a fearlessness to his prose, a willingness to engage with his past".
Key facts
- Author: Bruce Springsteen
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
- First published: 27 September 2016 (hardback); UK paperback 5 September 2017
- Format: paperback, 528 pages, about 13 x 20 x 3cm, so a thick book for a paperback
- ISBN: 9781471157820
- Price: £12.99 RRP, £11.05 on Amazon UK on 2 October 2026
- Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 from 13,812 ratings on Amazon UK, checked the same day
Who it suits
- Springsteen fans: he explains where songs such as Born to Run came from, in his own words.
- Musicians: the early chapters on bar bands, rehearsals and building a live show are detailed.
- Readers interested in mental health: his account of depression is open and specific.
- Gift buyers: it is an easy present for a parent or friend who grew up with his records.
The limits
At 528 pages it is long, and readers who only know the hits may find the middle chapters slow. Springsteen writes in a rolling, conversational style with long sentences, which suits some readers more than others. If you prefer a shorter music memoir, Debbie Harry's Face It covers the New York scene of the same era in a more visual book.
Where to buy Born to Run in the UK
Amazon UK had the paperback in stock at £11.05 on 2 October 2026, which is £1.94 under the RRP. The audiobook is read by Springsteen himself, and our Audible UK guide covers the plans and the free trial.
FAQs
What is Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen about?
It is his autobiography. It covers his childhood in New Jersey, the E Street Band, his records and his experience of depression.
How long is Born to Run?
The UK paperback has 528 pages.
How much does Born to Run cost in the UK?
The paperback has an RRP of £12.99. Amazon UK had it at £11.05 on 2 October 2026.
Who reads the Born to Run audiobook?
Springsteen reads it himself. The audiobook came out in December 2016.
Is Springsteen on Broadway based on Born to Run?
Yes. In the show he read passages from the book between songs. It ran in New York from October 2017 to December 2018.
More from CoolCuration
- How Music Works by David Byrne: the Talking Heads frontman on how places and technology shape songs.
- Gifts for audiophiles: turntables, headphones and speakers for music lovers.
- Best budget turntables UK: seven record decks under £300 compared.
- Amazon Music Unlimited UK: prices for each plan and how the free trial works.
- Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB: a direct-drive turntable with a USB output.
Prices and availability change. The affiliate links on this page earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and brands do not choose what we feature.
Image from amazon
Follow us: Instagram
Copyright 2026 CoolCuration | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Cool Factor
-----------
We are proud supporters of a safer more private internet via encouraging people to use Brave browser and are actively taking on Spammers as part of ProjectHoneypot. This site is hosted on servers that run on 100% renewable energy in the UK thanks to GreenWebHosting.
This site contains affiliate links, including to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service via these links, at no extra cost to you. All offers and promotions are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change or withdrawal by the businesses featured. We cannot guarantee their continued availability. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
Reviews and opinions on CoolCuration reflect the personal experience of our writers at the time of publication. They are not professional endorsements and your experience may differ. Scores use our Cool Factor rating system and are given independently of any commercial relationship.
All content on CoolCuration is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations or an endorsement of any product or service. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not offer personalised financial guidance. You should always do your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.