Since 2009, Bruce Springsteen has privately devoted himself to writing the story of his life, bringing to these pages the same honesty, humour and originality found in his songs. He describes growing up Catholic in Freehold, New Jersey, amid the poetry, danger and darkness that fuelled his imagination, leading up to the moment he refers to as 'the Big Bang': seeing Elvis Presley's debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. From these humble beginnings, Springsteen goes on to recall the people and events who have shaped his extraordinary life.