Jon Stewart, of The Daily Show, recently praised Peter Ames Carlin’s biography of Bruce Springsteen by lamenting “there are many things I could and should be doing right now … but I’m not. I’m reading and rereading this book.” To find out why Jon Stewart was raising such a ruckus, join Carlin for a look inside the life of the iconic Bruce Springsteen at the East Bend Public Library on December 13, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. The presentation is part of the Know Heroes series being offered during the month of December. The program is free and open to the public and books will be available for sale.

Published in November by Simon and Schuster, Bruce is the sweeping biography of one of America’s greatest musicians. It is the first biography in 25 years to be written with the cooperation of Bruce Springsteen himself. With unfettered access to the artist, his family, and band members—including Clarence Clemons in his last major interview—Carlin presents a startlingly intimate and vivid portrait of a rock icon. For more than four decades, Bruce Springsteen has reflected the heart and soul of America with a career that includes 20 Grammy Awards, more than 120 million albums sold, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award. He has also become an influential voice in American culture and politics, inspiring President Barack Obama to admit: “I’m the president, but he’s the Boss.” Carlin encompasses the breadth of Springsteen’s astonishing career and explores the inner workings of a man who managed to redefine generations of music.

Carlin is the author of three other biographies highlighting the lives of Paul Newman, Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys. He has been a roving cultural reporter for The Oregonian, a senior writer for People magazine in New York, and has published his work in the New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and Men’s Journal. These days, he can be found in Portland, often in the company of his wife and their three children.

People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at 312-1032. For information about this or other library programs, please call 312-1032 or visit www.deschuteslibrary.org.