Customer Reviews

Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story

5 star:		(111)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I now understand why Head left the band. All this time, we had nothing to go on but what the media had to say, and a few interviews. They still left me feeling a little discouraged as to why one of my idols would just drop off the face of the planet. This book definitely puts Head's Korn experience into perspective. Although I'd like to see him reunite with the band, sober of course, this confirms it will never happen. The book becomes very hard to put down once you've started, especially since I'm a Korn fan. I recommend this book not only to Korn fans, but to people who want to see real life experiences that prove there is always something more out there.

In Save Me from Myself, Brian Welch former rock lead guitarist of the band Korn shares so openly, humbly and completely honestly about his life, growing up in "Bako" (Bakersfield, CA), his family life and the living hell he experienced, to finding his way to a sane stable life, free of drug addiction, with his connection to Jesus Christ.

Brian is a real hero for the millions of fans of his former rock group. The teens who also feel isolated, hurt, misunderstood and angry can now (finally) learn the real truth about the downward spiral of drug addiction, and how they can turn it around to have a much happier life.

The book reads as if you're listening to a real, down-to-earth friend, who just tells it like it is. Brian isn't looking for glory here, he's sharing from his heart. By the courageous example he sets, this book should be a MUST READ for anyone who can relate to the life Brian used to have, and how to positively turn that around.

I purchased this book for my 19 year old son but after meeting Brian at a book signing decided to read it for myself before sending it to my son. I could not put it down. I read the book cover to cover in a matter of hours. Brian has the sweetest spirit and writes from his heart. While he is honest about his choices he does not condemn or judge others. I also appreciated that he was modest in describing his former lifestyle and didn't get overly detailed or graphic. You get the picture without being grossed out with unnecessary detail. My only concern is that Christian fundamentalists will freak out when he challenges the effectiveness of organized religion in reaching souls for Christ, however, I completely AGREE with him that FIRST you get right with God by asking Jesus to come into your heart and life and save you from your(self) and your sins in order to have a right relationship with God. Church is part of learning and growing in fellowship and in understanding God's Word but it is NOT essential in saving grace. I loved this book and I am praying for the success of Brian's ministry. Furthermore, my 19 year old son, who is a heavy metal guitar player and a born again Christian, told me that he feels closer to God as a result of reading Brian's story. I believe it will also really be an inspiration to him as he navigates some of the trappings of the music industry. The world needs this man's perspective on Jesus and I am grateful to him for sharing his story.

Head shows us an amazing story of how the power of a relationship with God can transform your life. Though I do not agree with all of his ideas, and I can tell his walk with God has been short so far, I enjoyed not only hearing about his step into faith, but his honest with where he is, how life with God is, and where he was. His story is one that mirrors many peoples story, and it shows how much the relationship with God can fill that addiction that we so desperately needed. That those addictions are in place of something that we know is missing. For myself it was porn. For Head it was Drugs.

The unfortunate part of the book is that you can tell that he is not a writer or a reader. At times he is confusing, as to what subject he is writing about, and he moves back and forth through his story without consistancy. I am not sure if that is his fault, or the fault of his editors who didn't seem to tighten up his writing to be more coherient at times.

Over all I was compelled by the book. I enjoyed the fact that he wasn't afraid to say things like they where, to say things like he felt, to use the words that he used at the time, and to be honest with his heart. There are many revealing things in this book. Many things I am not sure anyone would admit doing, and he does. I can feel the sorrow that is left in his heart for some of the terrible things he does. He makes no excuse, and he doesn't say "Oh it was the drugs" but "this is how far gone I was". That to me, is compelling and I read it all the way through.

The only last thing I would like to say is to those of you that may not know a relationship with God, is that it's a journey, and Head has just started that Journey. I encourage you, that if you get a little "wigged" out by some of the things he says, continue to read on. There are times that it seems like he is getting a little over the top to me, even as a Christian. However, he is seeking God in all things as we are called to do, and he, like every Christian is stumbling along the way.

Blessings,

Mike

I had never heard of the name Brian "Head" Welch or Korn for that matter until last week when I saw Brian in an interview. Something about him intrigued me and I found myself driving to the bookstore to purchase his book. I read it in one day and was extremely touched by it. His honesty jumps off the pages and his devotion to his new faith is very refreshing. I have been a believer of Christ for a long time and even attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His thirst for a true, authentic walk with the Lord is very inspiring. I have not witnessed that level of heart and mind driven devotion in a long time, (not even when I was embedded in a sea of believers in seminary!)Surprisingly, I never once got the discernment that Brian had just simply replaced one addiction for another, or that his devotion was too radical or "fringe". On the contary, I was really inspired to have a similar pursuit of Christ and his teachings as well. I really believe that Brian is annointed to be an ambassador for Christ, and not just for the alternative, tattooed, skateboarding set either. Trust me, I am very far removed from that generation and yet I have been more deeply inspired to thirst for a greater, more passionate walk with Chirst since reading his book. God does indeed work in mysterious and marvelous ways! I highly recommend the book for all, no matter what your generation, musical tastes, background, religious background, etc. happens to be. Trust me, if you read the book with an open heart, you WILL be moved by his testimony and God - willing inspired in a new, fresh way. God Bless you Brian!

I bought this book for my 19 year old son. He read it, and was really moved by it. I read the book myself, and Brian made me look over some areas in my Christian walk that needed to be re-examined. This book is so honest and down-to-earth. We are just common people, not rock stars, rich, or famous, but we were able to relate to so many of the things that Brian went through before he was walking with the Lord, and what he goes through while walking with the Lord. I've never met Brian, but feel he's already a friend and brother. If you know Jesus as your personal savior, then this book will uplift you, and encourage you. If you don't know Jesus as your personal savior, then this book will show you how real Jesus is.

I purchased this book for my son who is a Korn/heavy metal listener. I wanted to read the book first so I'd know exactly what the message was. I read the book in one day - I couldn't put it down. It was so easy to read - like he was sitting there just telling the story. Love that it's written the way it is - simple and to the point, in his own words. He's not (I dont think) an author out to win some kind of literary award - so to criticize him for his writing skills means you may have missed the point (which is sad). Love that he did not make his former life sound exciting - it was a constant and horrible battle and that's clear all the way through the book. What is also clear is that when he started trying to walk away from his old life and walk toward the Lord, Satan tried his best to keep his hold on him and pull him right back. He certainly could not have ever been free of that life without God. What an awesome story - I highly recommend this book. (And I have to add .. for those who say he wrote the book only for the money or that he isn't sincere - shame on you. It's not your place to judge what's in his heart. I'm proud of him for knowing there'd be people like you out there criticizing him - and writing the book anyway!)

I will preface this review that it isn't the best writing in the world but I think Brian would admit that himself and if you're too critical of the writing then you are missing the point. This is an excellent portrayal of how a person can turn their life around through their faith in Christ. Head's experience makes the cliche true: If I can do it, anyone can! He had been through so much pain, suffering, drugs and excessive alcohol that it's amazing his body can still function. I believe this book was as therepeutic for him as it is for us readers. I look forward to see how many lives he can affect through his celebrity, talents and experiences.

My favorite line in the book, "He had a lot of hell to squeeze out of me, and belive me-when the hell leaves you, sometimes it screeams at God on the way out." Page 213. Very true words.

I thought that this book was awesome...

I just graduated from high school so reading isn't exactly my favorite thing to do. But as soon as I seen the article in 'Guitar World' for it i jumped up from my chair and pre-ordered it, a little over a month early...and the book couldn't come soon enough.

When the book got to my house i was stoked...i couldn't wait to come home from work and start reading it. And I read the hell out of that book finishing it in a matter of days.

The book was an amazing look into Brian "Head" Welch's life. I remember back when 'Korn' was just starting to get big and my brother and their friends were listeneing to them and I even listend to them, but to hear what really went on behind the scenes was VERY interesting.

Not to mention the whole recovery process that he had to go through to help his daughter and himself...

I never really understood why 'Head' left 'Korn'...the only thing that I really knew was that he was going to find god. But reading this i understood more about why he did it and the hard time he had doing it.

**I just want to say that i give Brian "Head" Welch all the credit in the world, along with everyone else who has gone through the same struggle in life and succeded.**

Brian did an excellent job of keeping the reader glued to the book. It was very interesting and very insightful. Good book! Read it, enjoy it, worth the money.