Black Coffee Blues (Henry Rollins) [Paperback]

Henry Rollins (Author)

Book Description

Series: Henry Rollins | Publication Date: August 1, 1997

"If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light, If I lose paper and ink, I will write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always. I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you." Henry Rollins, renowned spoken-word performer, musician, actor and author of several books, has a unique, hard-edged view of the world. This collection of writings from 1989 - 1991 is the classic Rollins book. From dramatic fiction shorts detailing stark, disturbing realities to gut-wrenching tour journals destroying all misconceptions of the glamour of fame and the music industry; from the challenging poetry to revealing dream sequences, Rollins' writing is unflinching in its honesty, uncompromising in its truth and irresistibly addictive.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henry Garfield started singing in the DC punk band State of Alert before changing his name and becoming a legendary punk figure as frontman for Black Flag and his own Rollins Band. He started acting after doing several ads and MTV appearances, and his tattooed, musclebound body and gravel voice was a natural for tough guy roles in Hollywood features. Henry Rollins is the author of several books, and is also a renowned spoken word performer, making countless appearances at theatres and colleges worldwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: 2.13.61; 2nd edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880985551
• ISBN-13: 978-1880985557
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Poetry

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sad,strong and totally true, June 24, 2003

By 

hadar tomer (haifa Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Coffee Blues (Paperback)

i was first introduced to the work of henry rollins at the age of 18.today i am 27 and rollins never ceases to amaze me.he simply tells it like it is.if you get into the whole henry rollins way of thinking,you can easily find yourself in some of the stories he tells.you might have been the guy rejected by a girl.you were the guy too afraid to do anything about his education,his parents,his life.suddenly i found that i was not the only person in the world,burning for hours and hours in my room,my brain on fire.rollins was there too.I WAS NOT ALONE.
rollins doesnt waste time contemplating his own poor sad condition.he does the opposite-he tells you to get up and do something about it."he would someday grow into a strong,rage driven monster that rose like an iron sun".his essays at the end - "monster" and "i know you" were my best friends at VERY hard times.this book,along with "solipsist" made me change my whole attitude towards life.they inspired me to take my life into my own hands.BECAUSE of these books i got the inspiretion to get my degree,work out and live a happy,self aware life.if you dont know who you are,if you ever felt rejection,pain,fear,loathing- read what henry has to say about it - and adopt a whole new attitude towards your life.its worth it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dateline: Beverly Hills, Rollins goes bezerk., March 26, 2000

By 

Steffan Piper (Palm Desert, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black Coffee Blues (Paperback)

I read this little gem and re-read it a few more times, I was doubled over in pain from the laughter each time. Henry Rollins captures Los Angeles by the throat in this book and shakes it for dear life. He probably wouldn't have any remorse about it either.

My favorite piece was #111, describing his feelings toward other famous musicians. This man should allow himself expansion into longer works though. He would become the Henry Miller of the next millennium.

His 'familial hate-fuel' never resolves itself in this, neither does he run short on truth and Angelino angst. But something tells me that's how he wants it. Don't expect him to whisper sweet-nothings into your ear with this.

Expect only the sole of his boot. Because Rollins delivers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Duh! It's Rollins, March 31, 2001

By 

Skwid (South Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Coffee Blues (Paperback)

Like all other Rollins books it's beautifully and brutally honest. It's the kind of book you find yourself reading on a train to nowhere alone. It's comforting, and stimulating. There's no arguing with the man,he's right. He is like a child unable to lie, who has seen way too much, telling you what is wrong and what is up. No political correctness or flowery verbage, just honesty.