Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I

Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I by Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris's memoir is the best of the Joy Division autobiography. There is very little "set the record straight" content and just a history of where he came from and what he feels. He came from a fairly normal house. He became enamoured with music. He was not so keen on school. He got into drugs which got him suspended from school. He was only too happy to drop out when he had a chance. He had a stint as a freelance music writer. He took up drums, but was not that good. (He thought he could disguise it by having more drums.) He want on to meet up with the other guys and form Joy Division. He also became attracted to synthesizers and drum machines. The book details the formation and some of the initial activities of the band. The focus is very much on his experience. He self-deprecatingly declares himself a horrible singer and a not very good drummer. (Though he does have a drummer's desire to be on time.) There is very little on conflicts within the band - it seems the biggest "conflict" is him retroactively wondering what they could have done to help Ian Curtis to help him from committing suicide. The book is interesting look at life and experiences in the late 1970s punk and post-punk scene in northern England.

The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1453

The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1453 by Stephen Morris

I stumbled across this one while searching for books by the Joy Division drummer of the same name. This is a history of early Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox church originally was just part of the same Catholic church. However, as the Roman Empire moved east and Constantinople was established, this became a central area for the church in the ast. The east gradually began to differ from the west. Eventually there was a great schism. This was not a sudden change, so much as a culmination of different changes. The sacking of Constantinople by crusaders further contributed to problems.

The book presents chapters zeroing in on key characters and events in the church history rather than attempt to be an exhaustive story. There were debates over the nature of Mary and icons. Religious leaders such as John of Antioch and Cyril had important roles. Secular rulers such as Justinian also had a part int the establishment of the church.

The book doesn't have much of a narrative, but it does include sources for further reading. It is fairly short, so can be a good introduction of key points.