Though one of rock's most influential figures, David Bowie's accomplishments are pocked by some distinct ironies. His willful efforts at being a musical and visual chameleon spurred triumphs in genres as diverse as folk, glam, new wave, and electronica. Given the dizzying range and success of his '70s incarnations--from Ziggy to the Thin White Duke to the gaunt, goth-cypher of Low and Heroes--he seemed the artist most well-equipped to weather the changing tides of taste and trend, yet saw his career essentially shrink to cult status after scoring his biggest triumphs when he reshaped the soulless, dance-oriented club music of the early '80s into his own image. This 20-track compilation does little to address the Chinese puzzle that has been Bowie's post-'85 career, but it does deliver an artistically dizzying slate of hits as it skips from one early peak to the next, from evocative cabaret ("Space Oddity," "Changes") through muscular glam-rock ("Suffragette City," "The Jean Genie") to R&B ("Young Americans," "Fame") and post-punk flirtations ("Ashes to Ashes," "Fashion") to the dance-club hits ("Let's Dance," "China Girl," "Modern Love") and '80s one-off duets ("Under Pressure" with Queen, "Dancing in the Streets" with Mick Jagger) that essentially marked the end of his superstar reign. Whole eras and at least one classic '70s album (Low) go completely unaddressed, but all of Bowie's signature hits are here, as well as Earthling's powerful, underappreciated "I'm Afraid of Americans." --Jerry McCulley

2008-12-29 -- 1/5:: This CD abuses your fair-use rights, AMAZON SHOULD BE ASHAMED
My friend purchased this CD for me thru Amazon (rather than download it, because I'm a huge Bowie fan and of course wanted the full package with artwork), and we were both shocked to find that this 'Audio CD' (in quotes because it really ISNT an audio CD) will not play in any player I have in the house. If you put it in your computer the drive will just make TERRIBLE noises and you wont be able to open it in any music player, EVEN windows media player. You cannot add the music to your iPod because iTunes cannot even read it. There is a virus on this CD that keeps you from actually using it. What a joke!

Amazon should be ASHAMED that they sell this garbage and it should be against the law for them to not even tell you about it on the sales page. Here is a hint for everyone else out there -- This CD cannot even have the 'Audio CD' logo because it VIOLATES the 'Red Book' or CD audio standard and Philips will not allow it. Mine is going back and I wont be buying any more 'Audio CDs' from Amazon until they INFORM US as to what we are REALLY BUYING. SO ANGRY about this garbage!!

2008-10-12 -- 5/5:: a good starter
This covers most of the best (if you can narrow it down!) I have a few other favs that it's missing. But its a great starter if you don't already own any Bowie albums. I still recommend this one for the car, and listen to it all the time. Grat buy!Great Price!

2008-10-08 -- 5/5:: Classic Bowie
There are so many songs on here that I haven't heard in years. The quality of the songs are so much better, and the amount of songs make it a best buy to come along in quite awhile! I realized how many songs I've loved, and listen to them as if they're new. Bowie has proven why he is an icon, and after listening to these CD's you'll understand why.

2008-09-23 -- 5/5:: really the best
I have always been a part time fan of Bowie so I figured why not at Amazon's
price. I didn't realize just how many Bowie songs are among my personal
favorites until plugging The Best of Bowie in the CD player. Every song is
a hit for my money. This CD stayed in my car for almost a month before I
moved back to the rest of my normal rotation. A must have.

2008-08-30 -- 5/5:: 38 Bowie classics all in one great 2 CD collection!!!
This is a great 2 CD set of 38 David Bowie classics,almost all of the hits are here,with a few surprises thrown in for good measure!!! Awesome remastered sound and a nice booklet round out the package!!!Great job Virgin Records!!! Recommended!!!