Paolo Hewitt is a journalist and the author of over 20 books. He has written for Melody Maker and NME, as well as Vogue Germany, Fare Musica in Italy and The Sunday Times. Among other books, he is the author of The Jam: A Beat Concerto, The Small Faces: The Young Mod's Forgotten Story, Getting High: The Adventure of Oasis, and Alan McGee and the Story of Creation Records, as well as several works of fiction. Robert Elms is a writer and broadcaster and radio show host for BBC London. A former columnist for NME and The Face, he was an early champion of the New Romantics. His last book, The Way We Wore: A Life in Threads (2006), documented his self-confessed obsession with fashion's relationship with music and youth culture. Famously, he isn't a fan of The Beatles, but he loves David Bowie.

Every album is discussed in terms of musical and social impact, along with contemporary reviews from the likes of NME and Rolling Stone magazines, and a wealth of rare and previously unpublished photographs. It begins with an introduction to Bowie's early career as Davy Jones, and ends with an appendices detailing all of his single releases, live albums and soundtracks.