The Portable Henry Rollins (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Henry Rollins is an artist whose legendary, no-holds-barred performances encompasses music, acting, and written and spoken word. As Details magazine said when it named Rollins the 1994 Man of the Year: "through two decades of rage and discipline, Henry Rollins has transformed himself from an L.A. punk rocker into a universal soldier. His enemies: slackers and hypocrites. His mission: to steel your soul and rock your world."

Rollins was frontman for the seminal punk band Black Flag, and since 1987 has led the Rollins Band, whose ninth album, Come In and Burn, was just released by DreamWorks.

As a spoken-word artist, he regularly performs at colleges and theaters worldwide and has released eight spoken-word audiotapes. His album Get in the Van won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for 1995. As an actor, he has appeared in The Chase, Johnny Mnemonic, Heat, and David Lynch's forthcoming film, Lost Highway.

From his days as front man for the band Black Flag and the current Rollins Band to his books and spoken-word audiotapes, Henry Rollins is the music, the attitude, and the voice that takes no prisoners. In his twelve books, he has led us on a hallucinatory journey through the decades--and his mind--with poems, essays, short stories, diary entries, and rants that exist at "the frayed edges where reality ends and imagination begins" (Publishers Weekly). For the first time, the best of his legendary, no-holds-barred writings are available. This collection includes new photos and works from such seminal Rollins books as:

High Adventure in the Great Outdoors
Art to Choke Hearts
Bang!
Black Coffee Blues
Get in the Van
Do I Come Here Often?
Solipsist

Plus never before released stories and more...

From the Inside Flap

Henry Rollins is an artist whose legendary, no-holds-barred performances encompasses music, acting, and written and spoken word.  As Details magazine said when it named Rollins the 1994 Man of the Year: "through two decades of rage and discipline, Henry Rollins has transformed himself from an L.A. punk rocker into a universal soldier.  His enemies: slackers and hypocrites.  His mission: to steel your soul and rock your world."

Rollins was frontman for the seminal punk band Black Flag, and since 1987 has led the Rollins Band, whose ninth album, Come In and Burn, was just released by DreamWorks.

As a spoken-word artist, he regularly performs at colleges and theaters worldwide and has released eight spoken-word audiotapes.  His album Get in the Van won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for 1995.  As an actor, he has appeared in The Chase, Johnny Mnemonic, Heat, and David Lynch's forthcoming film, Lost Highway.  

From his days as front man for the band Black Flag and the current Rollins Band to his books and spoken-word audiotapes, Henry Rollins is the music, the attitude, and the voice that takes no prisoners.  In his twelve books, he has led us on a hallucinatory journey through the decades--and his mind--with poems, essays, short stories, diary entries, and rants that exist at "the frayed edges where reality ends and imagination begins" (Publishers Weekly).  For the first time, the best of his legendary, no-holds-barred writings are available.  This collection includes new photos and works from such seminal Rollins books as:

High Adventure in the Great Outdoors
Art to Choke Hearts
Bang!
Black Coffee Blues
Get in the Van
Do I Come Here Often?
Solipsist

Plus never before released stories and more...

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1 edition (February 10, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375750002
• ISBN-13: 978-0375750007
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #232,017 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His Best Work as of Yet!, February 21, 1999

By A Customer

Like wine, Henry Rollins gets better with age. This, being his 13th release (or so) on 2.13.61 publications, proves to be a turning point for the hot animal machine. One might find this strange when considering that the book is a collection of material from his previous works. But, let's be honest; anyone who has read "High Adventures in the Great Outdoors" or "Now Watch Him Die" knows that Rollins usually has the tendency to drag things on a bit. In the Portable Henry Rollins, the very best segments of each work are compiled together. Thus, by reading straight through, one can actually see the progression and maturity of Rollins as a writer through the years. My personal favorites are the segments from Get in the Van, Solipsist, and the new short stories at the end of the book which, for the more nostalgaic reader, are memoirs of life with the zany Ian McKaye. Anyone who glorifies the lifestyle of American Punk (or should I say Hardcore to be politically correct?) really should check out this book. Here are testimonies from teenagers and young adults, exposing the less glamourous / more painful aspects of trying to make ends meet in a non-corporate way. One thing is for sure; after a read through, you will be convinced Rollins continues to do what he does for a genuine love of music and literature. Who else would put up with lose cartilidge in the knees, stolen equipment / clothes, and fights at their own concerts every night? Either he is committed or truly insane! It is worthy to note, however, that anyone foreign to the world of Black Flag / Rollins Band would also find this book to be truly enjoyable. As a matter of fact, my sister, who is a high school teacher of English, has went as far as to include the short story "Go Fish" in her curriculum. In my opinion, what Rollins has done is admitted to the far-fetched thoughts EVERYBODY has ever had, but was too afraid to admit. This is reflected in all of his writings, whether they be poems, jounral entries, essays, or short stories. Many people will find it incredibly easy to relate to his frustrations, twisted humor, and (at times) utter lonliness. For anyone who is interested in reading Rollins' books, but has yet to do so, this book is a resounding MUST!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Social commentary by a social introvert., April 29, 2003

By	J. Schell (Chardon, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think when a person has seen enough of the twisted and crazy in the world, they need to have a blow off valve for all that pent up insanity. Henry Rollins has seemed to attract more madness to himself in less time than anyone I've ever seen. Obviously, with his great intelligence, he noted lots of the hypocrisy in the world, and with his unique view point, blessed us with his writing. This book is great, and makes any member of society take a good look at what they're killing themselves to become "the best" of. This book is required reading for anyone sick of the BS daily life makes us all live through. Henry Rollins is a genius. (And his band rules.)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get in the Head of an Alien Man, August 29, 1998

By A Customer

As I flew home today to Chicago, I found myself once again bound to Henry Rollins and his insight, humor and distrust for men, pigs, skinhead punkers and wannabes. Henry Rollins is a voice of reality that far too often gets ignored by pop culture. A role that he seems to enjoy. However, it would be misleading of me to say that Henry Rollins would want any pats on the back or adjulation. Just read, understand and think. Don't accept whatever is spoon fed to you. Make your own decisions, accept the consequences, get in the van and see where you end up. Thanks Henry. You made a long flight less painful. (I am bound by the rating system, but I feel that this book stands on its own. Ratings are for week minded people who need to be told what is good and bad in life. This view is my own and does not represent AMAZON.com.)