Customer Reviews

Broken Summers

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just finished reading Broken Summers and this is by far, Henry's best writing. I have read just about all his other books and this one stands out as being the best written. His writing has improved 100 percent. Henry gets very retrospective in his journal entries which I really liked. You get to see a more mature yet still trying to grow up Henry in this book. He is so honest and revealing from his early days in Black Flag, hanging out in DC, all the people around him who have died, surviving in today's music industry, to still trying how to deal with a relationship. If it's been a while since you read a book by Henry or if you never read anything by him, this is the one to get. No, you won't always agree with him and there will be times when he will annoy the hell out of you but that's what Hank is all about. He even admits to disagreeing with himself!

Henry Rollins is not your drugged out space case of a musician. Join him as he writes in breathtaking painful clarity about his neurosis, his thoughts and life on the road. Amped only by an abundance of caffiene, it's an intense ride of focused agression, anger and anguish.

If you're a fan if it's a must read. If not - it might open your eyes to someone old school that manages to be brave and new.

By now, Henry knows the drill...and if any of you have been reading his journals (going back to the days of Black Flag in the book "Get in the Van"), you get a sense of what the guy is like. At least certain facets of him...in any case, this book is a must-read. Henry hasn't grown softer with time, but he has definitely grown up. That's not a bad thing...but what we see here is a man who has figured out the secret to making himself happy. He revisits a bit of his past, but doesn't do it in a nostalgic kind of way...instead, he gets some closure with his days in Black Flag by helping out the West Memphis 3 guys through a record and tour, and to see Rollins put both together makes for a fascinating read. As usual, he makes us laugh, he pisses us off, and he shows us the more human side of someone who obviously does his best to lunge at life like a trained attack dog. But it's also inspiring and proves that we could all use a bit of an edge in our day to day lives. Henry, thanks again for doing what you do. This is one book that I will be reading again in the very near future.

Unless you're a mindless patriot (remember, however, that REAL "patriots" ask questions and challenge bad leadership!), this book is fantastic. Inspiring, intense, poetic at times, thoroughly fascinating, ultimately even (gasp!) optimistic.

For a brief background on the book's nonfiction setting: Our society certainly has major problems, as can be evidenced by the joke of a justice system in certain unenlightened communities. Henry didn't just talk about the wretched treatment of three innocents in West Memphis -- he recorded an astonishing Black Flag tribute album called Rise Above and donated the proceeds to the West Memphis Three's defense fund (i.e. DNA testing of the evidence found at the scene of the crime). This book largely chronicles the making of the album and subsequent tour (which was also undertaken to benefit the WM3), and it's written with active, interesting language. It's difficult to put down!

Of course, if you're a mindless patriot and you refuse to acknowledge how things really are, then you probably shouldn't be reading a book written for smart people.

You rule, Henry.

This book is great companion piece to both the Rise Above CD and Henry's current speaking tour. Although the book is slow going at times with workout schedules and menu plans it gives a great insight to touring, band realtions and the politics of making a benefit CD.
You feel for Henry throughout the book that his good intentions are disrupted by other people's agendas and politics and you find yourself hoping he sells 10 million copies of the CD, despite how you may feel about the West Memphis Three.
Don't bother with this book if you're easily offended by truth. Henry frequently challenges the actions of the US government but it's rather him thinking aloud then going on a full on rant. Give it a try. It'll make you think.

Broken Summers chronicles the making of the Rise Above album to benefit the West Memphis Three (http://www.wm3.org) and in so illustrates the range of Rollins. From the giddy emotions to working with some of his old Flag bandmates and other greats (Lemmy from Motorhead) to the depression that inevitable hits him after a tour, this book runs the gamut. You can read how much he absorbs the knowledge in books, in music; it really makes you want to kick off the dust in your own life. The passages regarding touring to support this album bring the energy of those show to life. For those who saw it, we will never forget it and it is remarkable reading about the show he played in your city in his own words. The "Albatross!" chapter is a must for any Black Flag fan. You will never laugh this loud. The mystery of Dale Nixon will haunt our laughter for years. A definate read for any Rollins, Black Flag, or music fan out there.

This book is by far Rollins' most mature writing. Like other books by Rollins Broken Summers has a journal format which creates a sort of intimacy with the reader. It is interesting to read the ideas, rants and daily goings on of a person as well known as Henry Rollins.

Make sure to pick up Rise Above - Album To Benefit the West Memphis Three as well. That is after all the whole reason this book came to be at all.

Henry Rollins can not write a bad book, i've read every single book he has written and they are all good. He writes how he feels and sometimes it makes you feel better. His situations are outragious and lately his books have had alittle Rollins humor he's the man and you should buy this book, and every other book that was writen by Henry Rollins.

I say this because they are both the same age. They both have the same views on many things and tend to be, at least for Henry in writing, to be on the passionate side. When I say passionate I mean a bit angry. I two have seen the docs on the WM3 and believe them to be innocent. My father also felt that they were screwed out of a fair trial. For that I give him props and his fellow musicians for standing up for these young gentlemen. He does seem to have a problem with people like Bono and Stevie and so on. At one time him and these two and others were in the same situation meaning they just wanted to be heard. We all have different ways to express ourselves, but we also form our own thoughts on matters. When he started to rant on living in L.A., I could here my fathers own voice in my head and actually it kind of makes me laugh. My father rants about living in our neck of the woods, but yet he still stays. Henry seems very sweet in interviews, has a great laugh, and is like a completely different person. Then reading his book, it was like a complete 180. He always seems sadder, alone and it makes it hard to nail who he is. Oh well I have read one of his other books and this was far better. I also have the first season of his show and enjoy it.

The title of this review refers to a review I wrote of Rollins' "Unwelcomed Songs". This book, "Broken Summers", showcases Henry #1: funny, articulate and insightful. The man truly gives readers a window not only into his life, but into his mind. Books like this are why journaling is often called an art form.

The only thing that doesn't work here? The added-on Thomas Wolfe tribute chapter, "Nights Below the Treeline". It comes at the end of the book; it's all right for what it is---evidence of Rollins' continued growth as a writer---but it doesn't really fit with the rest of manuscript. But that's a minor concern.

This is a fine work by a talented author. If this is the first Henry Rollins book you've ever read, you're in for quite a treat.