The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star by Nikki Sixx Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star
Book Review: Not a Crue Fan, but a Huge Fan of This BOOK!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I have to be honest and apologize at the start: I am not and have never been a fan of Motley Crue. I have seen them perform live three times as opening act for Aerosmith, and disliked their stage act more each time. Still, I find the band members somewhat intriguing.
I bought this book because of my utter fascination with the addictive personality. I have always wanted to understand how it is that some people follow this path with knowledge aforethought. And this book was a brazen, honest, frightening eye opener. I know that the book was a somewhat sanitized "diary" of a year in the life of Nikki Sixx at his addled, drug-addicted worst. Notwithstanding the clean-up, it appears to me that the content and even the tone of the diary was unchanged. I say this mostly because what is left IN the diary paints as demented and demonic a picture of drug addiiction as I have ever read (and let's face it some of the facts given are downright disgusting). So I take it at face value, and what a value that is.
I think I read this book in one sitting. Sixx's tale of degradation is one that is enlightening, maddening and pathetic all at the same time. I found it utterly riveting in its tale of drug devouring, women devouring and soul devouring activities. Sixx is not without a sense of humour even as he describes his drug-induced paranoia. But without question there was a sadness in this telling that pervades the entire book. Sadness for the loss of health, independence, trust, music (okay, I don't like it, but he clearly did). Above all, it was an honest attempt to justify a lifestyle that really defines the term "decadent." I don't think it succeeded in this last, but the effort was worthwhile because of the humanity it exposes.
Everyone should read this book. Yes Nikki Sixx survived; yes he returned to music and seems to have a family that matters to him. That he published this diary and uses the profits to support efforts to help runaway teens is laudatory. But there is so more to this tale than the redemption. Under all the hair, makeup, leather, chains and tattoos, there beats the heart of a genuinely shattered human being who has tried to share the downward spiral that got him there. And while he appears to place a lot of blame on his family and upbringing for his lack of control, he ultimately seems to accept the blame fully.
Still don't care for the music, but I almost like Nikki Sixx after reading this book. I hope that people (kids I guess) who are considering his former lifestyle get the hint.
Book Review: A great read
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't put it down. Nikki did a great thing writing this book.....I'm sure it wasn't easy to share all of his past, but I'm sure he will help many people with this book.Book Review: A fun ride back to 1987
Summary: 4 Stars
The Heroin Diaries is a twisted, fun ride back in 1987 that will having you laughing and crying at the same time. Although this book is Nikki's pity party, there are some touching moments in the book that deal with his childhood and his realtionship with his mom, grandparents and siblings. The testimonies from his biological family are the best parts of the book because they give you a glimpse of the man, not the narcisstic rockstar. These beautiful moments in the book stand-out and save this tale from being the typical a boring, "woe is me" read.
This book would not be complete without Denise Matthews (aka Vanity). I am so glad she participated in this tale as she was a huge part of Nikki's path of destruction. She is portrayed as the evil pied piper, although as the reader, I think this is a bit of revisionist history on Nikki's part. He probably strung her along as much as she strung him along. Matthews' wacky, God-inspired exerpts are hilarious, thought-prokoving and just plain weird and I'm so glad they were included. Nikki & Vanity were two peas in a heroin pod.
Everytime Mick Mars and his Yoko Ono girlfriend, Emi Canyon got blasted by Nikki I was rolling! I found myself turning page after page.
I don't know if the average Joe would find this book worth going through but as a Motley fan, I was enlightened by it and am glad to hear how it "really" went down. I don't know if his writings were written back then but it doesn't matter. Its an entertaining book.
Book Review: A Rock book
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a Rock book. The graphic design feels like Dave Navarro's book and some of the text is similar to the Motley Crue DIRT book, but it stands on its own as well. If you're a Crue fan, this is a read for the real fans.
And the book is very heavy as well(in weight!)
Book Review: the heroin diaries
Summary: 5 Stars
I was introduced to this book when I was buying the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack and decided to buy it at the last minute. Since receiving it I have read it four times and am still enthralled. The story Nikki Sixx has to tell is fascinating and I want to read it again and again. I think this book appeals to many people-those suffering from addiction, and those just wanting a good book to curl up with.