Customer Reviews

Don't Try This at Home: A Year in the Life of Dave Navarro

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Okay, besides the trippy pictures from Dave's home photo booth, this book is as interesting as dry toast. Just brutal. Scattered, boring, egocentric at most times, I just didn't enjoy it all, nor finish it. As a fellow addict with 5 years clean, I enjoy reading peoples personal stories and their battles/successes with addiction. This was just not worthy of any more than a library rental, and even then it's over-rated. I recommend Star Tissue by Anthony Kiedis or The Dirt by Motley Crue, and pass over this el-garbagio.

This is an amazing book, full of details you would never, ever expect. It is candid, open and extremely honest-to a fault. It is an extremely personal autobiography.
Also recommending: Nightmares Echo, If I Knew Then and My Fractured Life

SCAR TISSUE was the pity party, this book was just plain entertaining. I've been a fan of Dave Navarro's for quite some time (in interviews he was always so witty), so I was waiting for this book to get published. I think it has an awesome formula- a look into a year out of the life of a heroin addict/musician. We don't need their entire self-absorbed life story, documenting just a year was so much better. Though it does bring up Navarro's past a little bit to give you some insight as to who he is and the roads he has taken. Many things in this book made me laugh out loud, Dave has a f*cked up sense of humor! This book was very addicting and I read it in a day. Cheers to Neil Strauss for putting up with him!

This book is for the diehard Dave Navarro fans only. The only reason I gave it 2 stars was that the use of instamatic photos in the book is creative. The text is nothing more than diary entries by the guitarist. Neil Straus approached writing The Dirt with Motley Crue is a much more creative way which kept me interested. This book falls short unless I would have been inclined to want to see things Dave's way. I grew restless of this pretty quickly.

I agree with the one post that described this book as addicting. I couldn't seem to put it down and finished mine in a day and a half. Before reading this book, I really didn't know too much about Dave Navarro at all.. I just had heard about the whole photo booth thing and that is what initially got me interested in buying the book. Reading it was def. a very awesome experience, I almost felt like I was inside this book.. I really admire Dave because even with all his struggles and disappointment, he never fully gave up. Eventually, he turned himself around and looked at life in a different way. I think he is a very intelligent and unique guy.. certainly, not someone you would meet everyday. It's a great thing that he married Carmen and is finally really happy and in love. I think after everything he has been been through, its just what he needed. So thanks Neil and Dave for giving this book to the world. It's an original that I HIGHLY recommend. Something you will truly understand when you read it for yourself :)

I was excited when I first read an excerpt from this book in Rolling Stone, only to have it come out a few years later (legal troubles prob). In the end, it is a bland and boring read about a self-absorbed loser whose life is really not interesting. There is no insight into anything, it is a stale narrative with nothing revealed.

I actually got to meet dave at a book signing in NY for this book. He is really one of the nicest, most down to earth people. It was definitely worth the 3 years in delays. I also got to meet Neil Strauss...what a nice, lovely, awesome guy. This book...there are no words to describe it. It's an emotional rollercoaster more real, more harrowing, and more hopeful than Requiem or any other 'drug movie'. I guess it's because like Neil said in the book..."I had a life on my hands" which is true. The documentation of a year in the life of Dave Navarro and his spiral downward is heartbreaking, difficult, and all together almost unbearable. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. PLEASE read this book...if you have ever thought that drugs were cool or glamorous...be prepared to throw that notion out of the window after reading this. I would give it 100 stars if i could. Simply amazing, very well written, funny, sarcastic, dark and bright all at the same time.

After reading this book I have a newly found appreciation on life and on Dave Navarro himself. I have a great deal of genuine respect for the man now...not only as a musician...but also, as a human being.

Just bought the book. It is unlike anything I expected -- in a good way. I thought it was going to be a bio, like the others. But instead it's this incredible in-depth dissection of a year of Navarro's life. It's more like a book version of a reality show: but way too dark and intense for TV. Can't believe he's still alive. Great photostrips too: some GORGEOUS women. Note to self: Move to Hollywood. Second note to self: But don't try this at home. Highly recommended.

As a long time Dave Navarro devotee, I have been familiar with his story for quite some time and I have been looking forward to the release of his book-- and he did not disappoint. It was fascinating and at times horrifying to read about the highs and lows of drug addiction. His writings and thoughts are humorous, intelligent, thought-provoking and relatable.

I especially appreciated co-writer Neil Strauss's honesty. He was respectful of documenting Dave's life and providing journalistic insight not seen in most auto/biographical accounts. He didn't sugarcoat anything but he also showed a tremendous amount of respect for his subject. He also provided behavioral observations which add additional perspective to understand the severity of Dave's actions--- and inform the reader of his struggles as a documentarian not knowing the best way to help his troubled subject.

I commend both Dave and Neil for a job well done. I would recommend this book for everybody. While some of the subject matter is unpleasant, it provides a true depiction of life's complications and beauty.

Thank you Dave, for being courageous enough to share your life and your story.