Bob Dylan: A Life in Stolen Moments Day by Day, 1941-1995

Dylanologists, and just plain Dylan fans, will croon over this painstaking account of noteworthy events, particularly of the musical kind, in the rock star's life. At first glance, Heylin (Bob Dylan: Behind the Shades) seems less concerned with the kind of character analysis that occupies most biographers than with amassing as many details as possible. He provides a record, including set lists, of every concert Dylan has staged or participated in, as well as information about interviews, recording sessions and band lineups. Yet Heylin presents this exhaustive compilation with flair (""May 9, State University, San Jose, CA: Perhaps the best of the West Coast shows.... Dylan's face beaded with sweat, visibly living every phrase"") and winds up offering an offbeat yet compelling portrait of Dylan as a restless, shape-shifting artist. Of course, the book also serves as an invaluable resource for current and future students of America's foremost minstrel. Photos. (Aug.)