Book excerpt: From The Beatles' patronage of his 1968 debut album to his Grammy awards for Hourglass, James Taylor has remained a universally acclaimed songwriter of effortless eloquence and power. In this major biography, the late Timothy White explores the myths and reality behind the personal journey of legendary singer. White examines the roots of Taylor's anguish, and his recurring problems with heroin and alcohol. There is an epic family history, an exploration of the stories behind Fire And Rain, and a frank account of the artist's time spent at Apple Records and Warner Brothers. With contributions from Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Sting, the Taylor family and many other key figures, this edition is destined to become the definitive biography of the troubled hero. There is also an epilogue concerning the memorial concerts arranged by Taylor for the late author White, as well as an extensive discography and bibliography.