Book cover of Starting at Zero: His Own Story

Book description

It took just four years in the spotlight for Jimi Hendrix to become an international cultural icon. The sheer impact and originality of his music and his unique mastery of the guitar placed him for ever amongst musical giants. But what of the man behind the public image?

Modest and…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Starting at Zero as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is the coolest Hendrix book ever because it is all written by Jimi himself! Peter Neal has transcribed all know statements, letters, lyrics, interviews, audio clips or quotes into chronological order and makes it read like an autobiography. The lyrics and letters are included where they belong in the timeline. I learned more about Hendrix from this very personal account than from anything else. It’s a brilliant idea and a one of a kind read!

From Tobias' list on for rock guitar philosophers.

What better way would there be to get into the mind of Jimi Hendrix, other than reading a book comprised of his words? These words were taken from various interviews and quotes that he made over the years. Originally, the idea was to do a documentary of Jimi, where he is self-narrating the whole movie. Due to wrangling with the Estate of Jimi, this idea was shelved for many years. Eventually, the concept was translated into a literary form. Before Alan Douglas and Peter Neal could get this book out, the Hendrix Estate decided to put out a similar DVD…

From Corey's list on the genius of Jimi Hendrix.

If you love Starting at Zero...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Starting at Zero?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Starting at Zero.

Browse books like Starting at Zero

Book cover of 'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky: Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child
Book cover of Jimi: An Intimate Biography of Jimi Hendrix
Book cover of Becoming Jimi Hendrix: From Southern Crossroads to Psychedelic London, the Untold Story of a Musical Genius

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,298

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Starting at Zero, you might also like...

Book cover of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman

Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman by Alexis Krasilovsky,

Kate from Jules et Jim meets I Love Dick.

A young woman filmmaker’s journey of self-discovery, set against a backdrop of the sexual liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s. In Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman, we follow Ana Fried as she faces the ultimate…

Book cover of Dark Fae Outcast

Dark Fae Outcast by Autumn M. Birt,

Trapped in our world, the fae are dying from drugs, contaminants, and hopelessness. Kicked out of the dark fae court for tainting his body and magic, Riasg only wants one thing: to die a bit faster. It’s already the end of his world, after all.

But while scoring his last…

5 book lists we think you will like!