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Written by the "unrivalled expert"
A new and "Big Book" on the Eurovision Song Contest
Jan Feddersen’s last book on Eurovision, Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein, still ranks as the definitive reference work on the German national finals and on the international contest among German readers. This new volume, however, is not an update on that epic work, but an entirely new book.
The author was the first journalist in Germany to advance reporting on the Eurovision Song Contest from the occasional few inaccurate lines in the tabloids to serious articles in the quality papers. The body of this book consists of 16 essays highlighting various aspects of the world’s biggest music event. Many of the stories and anecdotes stem from Jan Feddersen’s personal experience in covering the event as a journalist since 1992. A number of books on Eurovision over the years have been authored by fans and observers of the contest who have turned their hand to writing. This is, however, a book by a professional journalist who just happens to have a burning passion for Eurovision. The book benefits greatly in style and content as a result.
Anyone who follows Jan Feddersen’s blog on the official Eurovision website of German TV will already be aware that he pulls no punches when it comes to expressing his opinion on all things Eurovision. The same applies to this book, where he also gets the chance to back up his opinions with in depth analyses and enlightening arguments. The chapter on Eurovision fans will probably raise an equal number of moans and laughs from those who include themselves in that number. Jan attempts to distinguish the thin line between what he lovingly calls the “Eurovision nerd” and the more unredeemable “Eurovision anorak”. He also puts forward an excellent case as to why the fans are an indispensable part of the Eurovision phenomena. Other chapters deal with diverse aspects of Eurovision, and attempt to explain what has made it thrive in the face or ridicule for over 50 years.
Although critical in places, the book goes a long way to putting those who would attempt to knock the contest in their place, by presenting facts that prove their criticisms are unfounded. The uninitiated will find new depths to the event and those already converted will feel themselves confirmed in their love of the contest. Lovers of facts and figures are also catered for, with almost 100 pages listing the results of every contest since 1956, and the entries of each of the 51 countries which have competed to date. While not intended as a coffee table book, the 40 or so photos are well chosen to illustrate aspects of the text, many of them being candid shots from private collections.
Stefan Raab has dubbed Jan Feddersen “The unrivalled Eurovision expert” in Germany, and this book goes further to cement that claim. German readers are lucky to be able to enjoy this intelligent and loving tribute to this most magical of TV events. Sadly, an equivalent book in English is still waiting to be written.
The book costs Euro 14.95 and can be purchased on amazon.de
An article by Ivor Lyttle
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What Johnny says is important to. When one writes a book about ESC the last thing to do is becoming patronizing and indicate that one looks DOWN on the event. It makes the book FAR more inferior. And why should a fan do that? It's like going down to the standards put by some on the messageboard on a certain other ESC-site......! (see what I mean??)
And yes, sometimes JF really goes over his own abilities. Judging songs he so obviusly haven't got a clue about. Take "Nuku pommiin", possibly the most unfairly treated ESC-song EVER. A great, distinctive and powerful rock song. He dismiss it in a VERY shallow and "unintelligent" way. Showing he has obviously NO knowledge of the musical style and the meaning of the song whatsoever! That's simply bad journalism! It's completely dillentantic. He might have a crap taste in music, but why inflict to us??
Will someone please send all these comments to Jan? Thanks! 
Vielen Dank!
And yet again...despite some harsh - and really DESERVED critism, I enjoyed reading the book. It has many good sides. But also some major flaws that can't be ignored!
Indeed Fabio. Just like that fact that many straight people love ESC too!
Let me add that I have two gay friends, one Dutch and other Spanish, and they both HATE Eurovision. They never watch it because they think it's rubbish. Every time I try to talk about ESC with them I got a big big NO! Haha, I tried to convince them many times but I always fail. That's another fact: some gays don't like Eurovision at all! 
I must agree with the comments from someone here concerning the "official history" book. It's full of mistakes, and, adding insult to injury, very patronising towards the ESC and its participants. A total disgrace for the EBU to have condoned that project. But unfortunately, Mr. Feddersen's last book (Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein) is not much better. If he's the "unrivalled expert" in Germany, then the state of all things Eurovision must be deplorable in that country. In his book, he claims for instance that the 1963 ESC was done with full playback. The reason is that the microphone doesn't shown on the TV screen. However, in reality the microphone was suspended from behind the camera! Any real journalist cheques facts like that before he writes them. But the worst aspect about Feddersen's last book is that it's written in a very negative and condescending tone all the way through. I can only hope that his new effort is better.
Hey, guys! Off topic question: any idea if Juliana Pasha of Albania will sing the albanian or the english version of her song in Eurovision in May? Is there any news regarding this? Thanks!
After the happy period of music the 2 months of national finals now is the depressing time of waiting for other two months talking about things no so important as it is this book.
From what i understand he is waiting stupid gays to buy his book....lol!!!!
whos care abouth a book
I also have his EKEBS, and even if I enjoy the book, the layout, and most of the articles, I am also behind the critism here. (And why the heck did he have to have a PINK cover with Dana Int. on the sleeve? ugh!).
It might be right to say opinions are stated as facts. A book might be subjective, in some caes that can be more fun and entertaining to read - but then without being too negative, too "patronising" or downright deabsing to all contra views. The two thinngs I reactsed NEGATIVELY on were:
1) The book seems to imply that ESC is some sort of "closed event" for gays only. ALL ESC-fans are gays, the who show is gay etc. Come on - we know, gays and straights alike, that is RUBBISH! Who should benefit from a view like that? Noone! Nobody can deny that maybe 60 / 70 % of the MALE fans are gays, no problems with that either, but making it an "all gay event" is in best case silly. And also not inclusive. Dunno, could be some sort of German satire / irony I lost here though.....(irony usually doesn't hit me in my own language even...) so a slight benefit of the doubt, which also applies for my next point. Sadly, I think I am right with my assumption though.
2) The author seems to draw a not very "broad" picture of what gays (which he - idiotically enough - also imples ESC-fans in general) like musically. They like schlager, hate rock. Come on, I know there are many gays / esc-fans who don't have such crappy taste. Many hate schlagers. And love rock. When in the world did liking ESC - or having a certain sexual orientation - imply that we should love / loathe certain kinds of music? I am sure there are gays who loves blues rock. And straights who loves tacky 70s disco. I am straight (you might have gathered), and I like disco more than blues rock for instance! Maybe JF himself has a dubious musical taste. But it's not his business to try to put his taste on being indicative of what all others like!
So...many male ESC fans are NOT gays. And many ESC-fans (gays or straight) LOVE rock. Stereotypes are just silly. Did you learn something new Jan?? About time! Wonder if any others reacted to these things too?
But apart from these - IMPORTANT - flways, I enjoyed reading the book. And I hope his new book is good, so good luck with it! And hopefully the rather silly flaws from the first book are out. WIsh Jan F. read this....!
PS: I should say that my German is far from 100 %! But I stand for what I say here!
I've just read the book. It's interesting but some mistakes are in it too.
Sounds Interesting 
Best of Luck to the author!
well, I too am a Eurovision expert, save that I don't write books. Who knows, maybe one day?
Thanks TC :-) Maybe I will buy this new book. Reading (and speaking) German is no problem for me.
Since I like Feddersen's extremely witty blog very much, I might actually buy this book. Agree with w s on this so called "official history" ...
Besides, the book is full of opinions stated as facts. The writer of the "official" book, could have been more neutral in my opinion, instead of for example claiming that songs are bad. Which he does repeatedly.
Read the text accompanying the picture of Lucia. And the way you describe the kneeling of the Portugese singer, is not how it is suggested in the book. And you can hardly blame me for not buying this book every year. I bought it once, that is enough for me.
For example:
-The writer is not sure whether Severine sang her winning song again, or that the director replayed her previous performance. Watching the 1971 contest, it is obvious that Severine sang her winning again. THIS APPEARS ONLY IN THE FIRST EDITION AND WAS CORRECTED LATER. IT DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE NEW EDITION. IT COMES FROM A WRONG VIDEO BEING SENT TO THE AUTHOR BY THE EBU.
-The writer claims about the same year, that the contest just finished without end credits. Not true. The contest finished completely normal with end credits, etc. THIS APPEARS ONLY IN THE FIRST EDITION AND WAS CORRECTED LATER. IT DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE NEW EDITION. IT COMES FROM A WRONG VIDEO BEING SENT TO THE AUTHOR BY THE EBU.
-The writer claims that the Spanish dancer was mocking the singer Lucia during the performance. Not true. NO THE WRITER DOES NOT. IT SAYS: "a male dancer repeatedly circled her with passionate and wildly exaggerated dance moves." TRUE! YOU ARE WRONG. DON'T MAKE THINGS UP.
-The writer claims about the Portugese performance in 1985 that the singer stayed kneeled on stage full of emotion until the next postcard started. Of course not true. YES IT IS TRUE. SHE SANK TO HER KNEES AND WAITED FOR A BACKING SINGER TO HELP HER UP. HE JUST REACHES HER WHEN THE NEXT POSTCARD BEGINS AND SHE IS STILL ON HER KNEES. YOU ARE WRONG.
If you wish I can go on and on. Lots of other examples. PLEASE DO. YOU HAVE BEEN WRONG SO FAR.
Spanish dancer and Lucia in 1982 btw.
For example:
-The writer is not sure whether Severine sang her winning song again, or that the director replayed her previous performance. Watching the 1971 contest, it is obvious that Severine sang her winning again.
-The writer claims about the same year, that the contest just finished without end credits. Not true. The contest finished completely normal with end credits, etc.
-The writer claims that the Spanish dancer was mocking the singer Lucia during the performance. Not true.
-The writer claims about the Portugese performance in 1985 that the singer stayed kneeled on stage full of emotion until the next postcard started. Of course not true.
If you wish I can go on and on. Lots of other examples.
It does NOT say anywhere in the Official History Book that Leichtenstein entered a song in 1969! Perhaps you can write here some of these mistakes from the book? I have the latest copy and I can find nothing inaccurate at all.
WS - do you refer by any chance to the (science fiction) fact noted in the "official history book" that Lichtenstien chose a song for the 1969 contest but withdrew from it?
There are many Urbanic legends nurtured by ESC fans that people might believe they are real facts. For example that Ilanit was chosen to represent Israel with the song "Balalaika" in the 1984 ESC (utterly nonsense and baseless), but since the contest was held on a national memorial day, Israel withdrew (sad but 100% true). :-)
w s
Yeah, you're right the so-called 'Official History' is a total bunch of garbage. It's interesting for the photos and background but the facts are mostly untrue.
"The official history" is very disappointing imo. I have the edition from a few years ago. Too many inaccuracies, and lots of opinions stated as facts. I have nearly all the contests on dvd, and so many things stated in the book are simply not true, as can be verified very easily by watching the footage.
WIll this book be translated to English?
If not it's not much use to most Eurovision fans...
Better to buy The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History by John Kennedy O'Connor which is released 1st April.
http://www.amazon.co(...)268746109&sr=1-1
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