Conversations with Paul Simon

Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon (Special Edition) offers a more up-to-date version for readers. When Paul Simon, widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters in music history, and Malcolm Gladwell, the best-selling author, sit down together with a tape recorder and a guitar, the result is a captivating narrative.

Part memoir, part investigation, and unlike any creative portrait heard before, Miracle and Wonder is a unique audio experience. The conversation, recorded over 30 hours, flows seamlessly between Simon's music, his childhood in Queens, NY, his frequent collaborators including Art Garfunkel, and the very nature of creativity. Gladwell and his longtime friend and co-writer, journalist and Broken Record podcast co-host Bruce Headlam, traveled from the mountains of Hawaii to Simon's own backyard studio to engage with an artist they've admired since childhood.

Woven throughout the audiobook are distinctive commentaries on Simon's songwriting, accompanied by archival audio footage and never-before-heard live studio versions and original recordings of beloved hits such as "The Boxer," "The Sound of Silence," and "Graceland." Between these captivating conversations, Gladwell employs his signature blend of historical research and social science in an attempt to understand how a boy from 1940s Queens conjured near-perfect songs over an incredible 65-year career. Along the way, he gathers reflections on Simon's particular genius from renowned artists like Sting, Herbie Hancock, Renee Fleming, Jeff Tweedy, Aaron Lindsey, and Roseanne Cash.

The result is an intimate audio biography of one of America's most popular songwriters. Brimming with music and conversation, Miracle and Wonder provides a window into Simon's legendary career, what it means to be alive as an artist, and how to create work that endures. This audiobook offers a unique and compelling glimpse into the mind and creative process of a true musical icon.

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