Bibliography of works on Madonna

This is a list containing the different written works about Madonna, including biographies and other literary forms.[a] Many authors have written more than one book about Madonna and these have been published in multiple languages other than English, including German, French, Dutch, Spanish and Italian.[b][3] The releases have sometimes become bestsellers and have faced varied reception from critics and academics. The staff of Xtra Magazine commented that "she has inspired a mini publishing industry all her own".[2] Maura Johnston said that "the appetite for books on Madonna is large, and the variety of approaches writers, editors, and photographers have taken to craft their portraits is a testament to how her career has both inspired and provoked".[4] On the report of Eric Weisbard "only Madonna books proliferated" compared to her other contemporary fellows from the 1980s.[5] Evelyn Briceno from La Tercera described her as a character worthy of biographies, photo books and various analyses.[6]

Works on Madonna
Madonna smiling with a microphone in front of her mouth
The literature on Madonna is substantially large and unfathomable,[1] inspiring "a mini publishing industry all her own"[2]
Books in English65
Non-English books20
Essays and other works9

According to critic Paul Northup who wrote in Third Way magazine, "eminent authors and academics have pored over her tirelessly since she burst onto the pop scene in the early Eighties."[7] The continual interest by many writers towards Madonna was expressed by Rodrigo Fresán in 2008: "and the years go by and life changes but something remains constant: one continues to write about Madonna",[8] while J. Randy Taraborrelli wrote in 2018, "I have never stopped writing about Madonna since that day I first met her thirty-five years ago".[9] The literature about Madonna is "extensive" according to associate professor Robert Miklitsch of Ohio University,[10] and Stephen Brown from University of Ulster described "is almost mind-boggling in its abundance".[11] Pamela Church Gibson from University of the Arts London realized it saying in Fashion and Celebrity Culture (2013), "there is a veritable library of literature available" on Madonna.[12]

Biographies released about the singer include Madonna: An Intimate Biography (2002) by Taraborrelli, Madonna (2001) by Andrew Morton, Madonna: Like an Icon (2007) by Lucy O'Brien, Madonnaland (2016) by Alina Simone, Life with My Sister Madonna (2008) by her brother Christopher Ciccone and Madonna: Bawdy and Soul (1997) by Karlene Faith. Morton's biography was criticized by Madonna herself and she was also against the release of Ciccone's book, which ultimately led to a rift between the siblings.[13]

Books written in English

1980s

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherPagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Madonna: Lucky Star1985Michael MackenzieOlympic Marketing Corp94ISBN 978-0-809-25233-6The biography concentrated on Madonna's childhood.[14]
Madonna1985Philip KaminHal Leonard Corporation48ISBN 978-0-863-59283-6A photography book containing images from Madonna's tour.[15]
Madonna!1985Mark BegoPinnacle Books189ISBN 978-0-523-42576-4
OCLC 12155379
Bego talks about Madonna's life in Detroit and New York City.[16]
[17]
Madonna1985Anton RushAnabas Books28ISBN 978-1-850-99011-6A board book containing Madonna's biography in words and pictures.[18]
Holiday with Madonna1985Gordon MatthewsSimon & Schuster63ISBN 978-0-671-60375-5Matthews analyzed Madonna as a new singer in the music business.[19]
Madonna1986Keith Elliot GreenbergLerner Publishing Group40ISBN 978-0-822-51606-4Talks about how Madonna achieved fame and her appearances in music videos and films.[20]
Madonna: An Illustrated Biography1988Debbi VollerOmnibus Press96ISBN 978-0-711-91466-7
OCLC 26299920
Analyzes Madonna's early fashion style. Another version was released in 1992.[21]
Madonna: The Biography1989Robert Matthew-WalkerPan Books160ISBN 978-0-330-31482-4
OCLC 26313419
Biography which also includes the singer's business acumen and her marriage to actor Sean Penn.[22]

1990s

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherPagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Madonna in Her Own Words1990Mick St. MichaelOmnibus Press128ISBN 978-0-711-92139-9
OCLC 231428597
Contains direct quotes from the singer about her career. A German version was released in 1991 by Goldmann publishers, titled Madonna: Selbstbekenntnisse. There were two other version released, one in 1999 and another in 2004.[23]
Madonna1991Marie CahillGallery Books96ISBN 978-0-831-75705-2
OCLC 51354378
Chronicles Madonna's music and film career, her marriage to Penn and her concert tours. Another version was released in 1992 through Omnibus Press, and in 1993 a Spanish version was released, translated by Silvia Rodríguez Díaz.[24]
Madonna: Unauthorized1991Christopher AndersenSimon & Schuster350ISBN 978-0-671-73532-6
OCLC 1036695644
Includes commentary from Madonna's family, friends, former lovers, and associates. Two other versions include a Danish one (1991) and reprinted one (1992).[25]
Like a Virgin: Madonna Revealed1991Douglas ThompsonBlake Publishing240ISBN 978-1-856-85009-4
OCLC 243771799
Detailed information about the singer's personal relationships. Another version was released in 1992 with the name Madonna Revealed: The Unauthorized Biography.[26]
Madonna Superstar: Photographs1991Karl LagerfeldW. W. Norton & Company93ISBN 978-0-393-30766-5
OCLC 317360827
Photography book about Madonna's career from her first album to the end of 1987.[27]
Madonna: Her Complete Story An Unauthorized Biography1991David JamesPublications International Ltd.80ISBN 978-0-451-82246-8
OCLC 24634651
Includes numerous unseen photographs.[28]
Madonna: The Book1992Norman KingWilliam Morrow and Company256ISBN 978-0-688-11916-4
OCLC 236051812
Contains direct quotes about Madonna from academics.[29]
The Madonna Scrapbook1992Lee RandallCarol Publishing Group220ISBN 978-0-806-51297-6
OCLC 471015357
A scrapbook with the singer's concert pictures, album and magazine covers and spreads.[30]
Madonna Illustrated1992Tim RileyHyperion Books112ISBN 978-1-562-82983-4
OCLC 25832167
Features more than 100 photographs with anecdotes by the author.[31]
Madonna: The Style Book1992Debbie VollerOmnibus Press94ISBN 978-0-711-92771-1
OCLC 877696147
Analysis of Madonna's fashion from her early career to more sophisticated clothing. A new edition was released in 1999 covering till the Ray of Light album era styles.[23]
[32]
Madonna: Blonde Ambition1992Mark BegoHarmony Books308ISBN 978-0-517-58242-8
OCLC 1036676119
Bego conducted personal interview with the singer and her close friends for the book. American academic and social critic Camille Paglia called it the "strongest of several [Madonna] biographies" in her book, Vamps and Tramps.[17]
[33]
The Madonna Connection1993Cathy SchwichtenbergWestview Press352ISBN 978-0-813-31396-2Compilation of essays about Madonna.[34]
Madonnarama: Essays on Sex and Popular Culture1993Lisa Frank
Paul Smith
Cleis Press200ISBN 978-0-939-41671-4Margot Mifflin from Entertainment Weekly gave a positive review, saying that "with only minimal self-indulgence, Madonnarama smartly unravels [the singer's] tangled politics".[35]
Desperately Seeking Madonna: In Search of the Meaning of the World's Most Famous Woman1993Adam SextonDelta Publishing Inc316ISBN 978-0-385-30688-1
OCLC 843023870
Talks about Madonna's cultural impact and received positive review in Publishers Weekly.[36]
Madonna: The Early Days1993Michael MacKenzieWorldwide Televideo Enterprise95ISBN 978-0-963-85193-2
OCLC 30361607
Picture book with 65 photographs of Madonna and her friends from her early days.[37]
I Dream of Madonna: Women's Dreams of the Goddess of Pop1993Kay TurnerHarperCollins127ISBN 978-0-002-55257-8
OCLC 679573080
Turner collected the dreams of 50 women about Madonna, accompanied by color collages. The book was described by Publishers Weekly as a Dada art project.[38]
Madonna Speaks1993Mike FleissTribune Publishers122ISBN 978-0-941-26383-2
OCLC 29211009
Book of Madonna quotations.[39]
Madonna Megastar: Photographs 1988–19931994Camille PagliaSchirmer Books136ISBN 978-3-888-14194-2
OCLC 69107469
Picture book with anecdotes by Paglia.[40]
Encyclopedia Madonnica1995Matthew RettenmundSt. Martin's Griffin207ISBN 978-0-312-11782-5
OCLC 925163745
Compilation structured like an encyclopedia and touches every aspect of Madonna's life, from her music career to personal relationships, film roles and books. An updated version was released in 2015.[41]
Material Girls: Making Sense of Feminist Cultural Theory1995Suzanna Danuta WaltersUniversity of California Press221ISBN 978-0-520-08978-5
OCLC 248867895
Focuses on Madonna, Murphy Brown and Thelma & Louise, with numerous case studies.[42]
Madonna: Her Story1996Michael MacKenzieMusic Sales Group96ISBN 978-0-711-91181-9
OCLC 242525360
The book starts with MacKenzie's favorite memory of Madonna.[37]
Guilty Pleasures: Feminist Camp from Mae West to Madonna1996Pamela RobertsonDuke University Press208ISBN 978-0-822-31748-7
OCLC 1022823955
Theoretical discussion of female performance and spectatorship.[43]
Madonna: Bawdy and Soul1997Karlene FaithUniversity of Toronto Press226ISBN 978-0-802-08063-9
OCLC 1011440319
Analysis of Madonna from a feminist perspective.[44]
Madonna: The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts and Opinions From the Files of Rolling Stone1997Barbara O'DairHyperion Books272ISBN 978-0-786-88154-3
OCLC 906726278
Collection of articles till the release of Evita (1996).[45]
[46]
The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna1998Rikky RooksbyOmnibus Press130ISBN 978-0-711-96311-5
OCLC 473178131
The author analyzed every recorded song in Madonna's catalog. An updated edition was released in 2004.[47]
The Madonna Companion: Two Decades of Commentary1999Allan Metz
Carol Benson
Schirmer Books312ISBN 978-0-028-64972-6
OCLC 924775066
A collection of journalistic and academic writing on the singer.[48]

2000s

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherPagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Madonna: An Intimate Biography2001J. Randy TaraborrelliSimon & Schuster416ISBN 978-1-416-58346-2
OCLC 1036701525
The book received positive reviews from The Birmingham Post and London Evening Standard. There were other versions released in 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2018.[49]
[50]
[51]
Goddess: Inside Madonna2001Barbara VictorHarperCollins432ISBN 978-0-060-19930-2
OCLC 50446330
Victor traveled to places inhabited by Madonna and interviewed the singer's close relatives, family members, friends and associates.[52]
[53]
Madonna: Queen of the World2001Douglas ThompsonJohn Blake Publishing290ISBN 978-1-904-03410-0
OCLC 473057768
Thompson interviewed Madonna's school friends and wrote about the singer's relationship with her father.[54]
Maximum Madonna: The Unauthorized Biography of Madonna2001Tim FootmanChrome Dreams8ISBN 978-1-842-40012-8
OCLC 43669528
The audiobook was recorded at Echo Base, New Malden, Surrey and read by Laurel Lyko.[55]
Madonna2002Andrew MortonSt. Martin's Press256ISBN 978-1-854-79432-1
OCLC 49043729
Detailed about Madonna's ambitions, her relationships and her lifestyle. The author interviewed about 70 people who had known Madonna since her youth. The singer was critical of Morton contacting people about her life.[56]
[57]
[58]
Madonna as Postmodern Myth2002Georges Claude GuilbertMcFarland & Company264ISBN 978-0-786-41408-6
OCLC 907004351
Analysis of Madonna's cultural significance and the way she formed her fanbase throughout the world.[59]
[60]
Madonna Style2002Carol ClerkMusic Sales Group175ISBN 978-0-711-98874-3
OCLC 882730611
Included Madonna's most memorable moments, her sexuality exploration, her struggles with Catholicism and her concept of motherhood.[61]
Madonna in Art2004Mem MehmetChaucer Press192ISBN 978-1-904-95700-3
OCLC 474920267
Pictures of the singer in art form by over a hundred artists, including Andrew Logan, Sebastian Krüger, Al Hirschfeld, and Peter Howson.[62]
Madonna's Drowned Worlds: New Approaches to Her Cultural Transformations2004Santiago Fouz-Hernández
Freya Jarman-Ivens
Ashgate Publishing223ISBN 978-0-754-63372-3
OCLC 999614528
Analysis of different topics like sexuality, ethnicity and celebrity culture through Madonna's work.[63]
Madonna: Inspirations2005Essential WorksAndrews McMeel Publishing160ISBN 978-0-825-67289-7
OCLC 941231650
Madonna's quotes and explanations about her work.[64]
Madonna: A Biography2007Mary CrossGreenwood Publishing Group152ISBN 978-0-313-33811-3
OCLC 77575080
The biography was described by the New York Post as a "short, concise account" of Madonna.[65]
Madonna: Like an Icon2007Lucy O'BrienBantam Press432ISBN 978-0-060-89899-1
OCLC 226112145
Author gave detailed analysis of the singer's music, complete with interviews she conducted with the musicians and producers who had collaborated with Madonna on her albums.[66]
Madonna: Express Yourself2007Carol GnojewskiEnslow Publishers160ISBN 978-0-766-02442-7
OCLC 71005751
The book concentrated on Madonna's early life prior to arriving in New York.[67]
A Girl Called Madonna2007Peter RobinsonThe Friday Project Limited48ISBN 978-1-905-54881-1
OCLC 155689066
Biography told through cartoons illustrated by David Whittle.[68]
From Mae to Madonna: Women Entertainers in Twentieth-Century America2008June SochenUniversity Press of Kentucky256ISBN 978-0-813-19199-7
OCLC 901100306
Author examined the historical impact of women in the entertainment industry and American culture, including mythological figures like Eve, Mary or Lillith.[69]
Life with My Sister Madonna2008Christopher CicconeSimon Spotlight Entertainment352ISBN 978-1-416-58762-0
OCLC 883801605
Biography by Madonna's brother, based on his life, growing up and working with his sister. It received negative reviews, with The Guardian calling it a "misery memoir".[70]
Madonna v Guy: The Inside Story of the Most Sensational Divorce in Showbiz2009Douglas ThompsonJohn Blake Publishing288ISBN 978-1-844-54791-3
OCLC 424607623
Chronicled Madonna's life with her second husband Guy Ritchie after they were married in 2000, till the circumstances that led to their divorce in 2008.[54]

2010s

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherPagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Madonna: Entertainer2010Hal MarcovitzChelsea House Publications125ISBN 978-1-604-13859-7
OCLC 908389425
Biographical account till the release of Madonna's third greatest hits, Celebration.[71]
Are You My Guru?: How Medicine, Meditation & Madonna Saved My Life2010Wendy ShankerNew American Library304ISBN 978-0-451-22994-6
OCLC 883359217
Author wrote about how she was afflicted with a rare autoimmune disease, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and how Madonna inspired her to not lose hope.[72]
Female Force: Madonna2011 C.W. Cooke
Fred Grivaud
Bluewater Productions32ISBN 978-1-450-76678-4
OCLC 721823584
Comic book about Madonna's life.[73]
[74]
Not About Madonna: My Little Pre-Icon Roommate and Other Memoirs2011Whit HillHeliotrope Books282ISBN 978-0-983-29400-9
OCLC 759406306
Much of the book dealt with personal memories of the author and his friendship with Madonna when they were students at the University of Michigan.[75]
Madonna and Me: Women Writers on the Queen of Pop2012Laura Barcella
Jessica Valenti
Soft Skull Press272ISBN 978-1-593-76429-6
OCLC 779828857
Talked about the singer's influence and impact on the lives of over 40 women, and her role in the feminist movement.[76]
My Madonna: My Intimate Friendship with the Blue Eyed Girl on her Arrival in New York2012Norris W. BurroughsWhimsy Literary Agency LLC124ISBN 978-0-988-41360-3
OCLC 920474568
Memoir about the author's relationship with Madonna when the latter was a 19 year old dancer living in New York City.[77]
Madonna: Biography of the World's Greatest Pop Singer2012Karen LacHyperion Books28ISBN 978-1-614-64619-8
OCLC 968100386
Began with Madonna's response to a question by Dick Clark in 1984, to which the singer said she wanted to "rule the world". The biography expands on how Madonna achieved that statement.[78]
Cherish: Madonna, Like an Icon2013David FoyIvy Press160ISBN 978-1-908-00567-0
OCLC 938134877
A collection of more than 150 photographs.[79]
FAME: Madonna: A Graphic Novel2013C.W. CookeBluewater Productions40ISBN 978-1-467-50268-9
OCLC 939614885
The release was part of the "Fame" comic book series.[80]
Madonna: Ambition. Music. Style2014Caroline SullivanCarlton Publishing Group256ISBN 978-1-780-97563-4
OCLC 883870187
Chronicled Madonna's career highs documented through images, and was released to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the singer's second studio album, Like a Virgin.[81]
The Mammoth Book of Madonna2015Michelle MorganRunning Press Adult512ISBN 978-0-762-45621-5
OCLC 1023242304
Interviews, reviews and commentary about Madonna.[82]
Madonnaland2016Alina SimoneUniversity of Texas Press138ISBN 978-0-292-75946-6
OCLC 990816619
Biographical account of the singer and the author's analysis of music and pop culture.[83]
[84]
Madonna: Nudes +2017Martin H. M. SchreiberACC Publishing Group80ISBN 978-1-851-49849-9
OCLC 988944134
Schreiber's nude images of Madonna had become famous when they were published in Playboy magazine in 1985. The book included unpublished images by him.[85]
[86]
The Madonna of Bolton2018Matt CainUnited Authors Publishing Ltd416ISBN 978-1-783-52618-5
OCLC 1013942370
Cain accumulated money for publishing the book through crowdfunding campaigns. The story follows protagonist Charlie Matthews, who falls in love with Madonna on his ninth birthday.[87]
[88]

2020s

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherPagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Madonna: A Rebel Life2023Mary GabrielLittle, Brown & Company880ISBN 978-0-316-45647-0
OCLC 1401055687
Detailed biography.[89]

Non-English books

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherLanguagePagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Lady Madonna1986Guy Abitan
Danièle Abitan
Corlet [fr]French66ISBN 978-2-864-18290-0
OCLC 469376599
[90]
Madonna1987Julia EdenhoferBastei LübbeGerman204ISBN 978-3-404-61113-3
OCLC 74953215
Explores her life and Madonna's re-invention of her image.[91]
Popdossier Madonna1987Alfred Bos
Tom Engelshoven
Stan Rijven
Loeb UitgeversDutch143ISBN 978-9-062-13730-5
OCLC 64714088
[92]
Madonna1989Elia PerboniTarga Italiana EditoreItalian163ISBN 978-8-871-11026-4
OCLC 23120568
Focused on criticism of Madonna's music.[93]
Das Madonna Phänomen1993Diedrich DiederichsenKleinVerlagGerman117ISBN 978-3-922-93009-9
OCLC 243734860
Focused on public opinion and popularity of the singer.[94]
Madonna1993Leo TassoniIcaria EditorialSpanish159ISBN 978-8-474-26207-0
OCLC 806506635
[95]
Nainen populaarikulttuurissa: Madonna ja The immaculate collection1994Tuija ModinosUniversity of JyväskyläFinnish124ISBN 978-9-513-40277-8
OCLC 58126204
Criticism of Madonna and other women in popular culture.[96]
Madonna, érotisme et pouvoir1994Michel Dion
Jean Baudrillard
Éditions Kimé [fr]French132ISBN 978-2-908-21294-5
OCLC 655141044
Authors focused on sex in popular culture and Madonna's influence.[97]
Madonnabilder: dekonstruktive Ästhetik in den Videobildern Madonnas1995Nicoläa GrigatPeter LangGerman120ISBN 978-3-631-49074-7
OCLC 908128209
Talked about the singer's influences and aesthetics.[98]
Madonna: The Lady1997Lee McLaren
Virginie Gravier
Olivier Ragasol-Barbey
Éditions du Félin [fr]French249ISBN 978-2-866-45267-4
OCLC 41132561
Relegated Madonna as a revolutionary and her complex personality.[99]
Madonna: de vele gezichten van een popster1999Hannah Bosma
Patricia Pisters
Prometheus Global MediaDutch204ISBN 978-9-053-33699-1
OCLC 237360096
Focused on the singer as a feminist.[100]
Madonna: de stem van een generatie2001Kurt Jaspers
Gust de Meyer
Dirk Timmerman
GarantDutch103ISBN 978-9-044-11176-7
OCLC 902236056
Discussion about Madonna's cultural significance.[101]
Madonna2005Anne BleuzenK&BFrench144ISBN 978-2-915-95703-7
OCLC 469946259
Included photos taken by Helmut Newton, Wayne Maser and Peter Lindbergh.[102]
Madonna: L'icône de la Pop2006Arnaud Babion-ColletÉditions de la LaguneFrench192ISBN 978-2-849-69011-6
OCLC 76949595
Author interviewed people who had worked with Madonna.[103]
Madonna2006Gianluigi ValerioConiglio Editore [it]Italian145ISBN 978-8-888-83398-9
OCLC 955589975
Book on Madonna's discography.[104]
Madonna on stage2007Frédéric GillotteauEditions Why notFrench287ISBN 978-2-916-61106-8
OCLC 495362866
Included images of Madonna's concerts attended by the author.[105]
Madonna und wir : Bekenntnisse2008Kerstin Grether
Sandra Grether
Suhrkamp VerlagGerman399ISBN 978-3-518-45992-8
OCLC 236327134
[106]
Madonna absolument!2008Erwan ChuberreAlphée-J.-PFrench234ISBN 978-2-753-80293-3
OCLC 227153304
Detailed about the singer's impact on different genres of music.[107]
Mad for Madonna. La regina del pop2011Francesco FalconiCastelvecchiItalian115ISBN 978-8-876-15550-5
OCLC 734056262
Author analyzed how Madonna had stayed contemporary in the music business through her image re-inventions.[108]
Madonah Ha-obesesiah Ha-Homo'it Ha-gedola Mi-Kulan2019Doron braunshteinLev BooksHebrew35OCLC 1099908899[109]

Essays and other works

Book titleYearAuthor(s)PublisherPagesIdentifiersNotesRef(s).
Buscando a Madonna1987Enrique MedinaEditores Milton200ISBN 978-9-506-33007-1A novel about a girl named Lucy, who dreamt of being like Madonna.[110]
The I Hate Madonna Handbook1994Ilene RosenzweigSt. Martin's Press210ISBN 978-0-312-10481-8Chronicled every negative aspect of Madonna's career. It was described by Rene Rosenzweig from People as "amusing".[111]
You Don't Know Madonna2002Jennifer EganQISSN 0955-4955
issue 197
An essay of author's perception about Madonna that appeared in Q magazine, issue on December 15, 2002.[112]
Entrepreneurs on a dancefloor2006Jamie Anderson
Martin Kupp
Business Strategy Review28–31ISSN 1467-8616An investigation about Madonna's enduring success since the perspective of strategic management, marketing and business.[113]
Madonna: Icon of Postmodernity2008Jock McGregorL'Abri1–8ISSN 0836-0219An essay of author's perception about Madonna since a Christian perspective.[114]
The Neuroscience of Madonna's Enduring Success2008Christopher BerglandPsychology TodayISSN 0033-3107An article by Christopher Bergland which analyzed Madonna's enduring success since the perspective of neuroscience.[115]
Madonna: Who's That Girl2010Rodrigo FresánRIL Editores343ISBN 978-9-562-84782-7
OCLC 888244759
Essay compiled in the book Domadores de Historias. Conversaciones con grandes cronistas de América Latina. It spoke about Madonna being a classic symbol of Made in USA.[116]
Madonna's "Isaac"/Madonna's Akeda—A lesson for scholars, old and young2015David BlumenthalThe Immanent FrameOCLC 1011401653An essay online in which David Blumenthal discuss Madonna's song "Isaac" from her album Confessions on a Dance Floor.[117]
Justify Madonna? Star, fans et genre2017François RibacTéraèdre (HAL)1–12HAL 01672690An article that analyzes Madonna and her fandom.[118]

Notes

References

Citations

Book sources

External links