The Man Who Sold the World, By Peter Doggett

While it's unsurprising to learn that Clockwork Orange influenced the look of Ziggy Stardust, the inspiration for Aladdin Sane is less predictable: Waugh's Vile Bodies.

In future editions of this study of David Bowie, Doggett might correct his summary of the novel: "war is declared during a carol service".

It is, in fact, during a film show. He could also amend an overheated metaphor while describing the Ziggy Stardust song: "Bowie's voice like a meteor from a distant galaxy." Meteors burn up silently.