It's So Easy: And Other Lies (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This book completely surprised me. Expecting a riotous blow by blow rock n roll diary of debauchery, I instead became absorbed in this inspirational, well-written, heartfelt account from someone who crawled back from the abyss. The first half of the book does delve into the excesses but Duff very gentlemanly avoids details involving the ladies, focusing more on his gargantuan consumption of vodka and hoovering of cocaine. He disses the business side of rock n'roll and the greed it seems to engender. Axl Rose and Scott Weiland don't fare too well.Too many of these rock bios like to feature chest pounding boasts about drug consumption ... but Duff very modestly tips his hat to Motley Crue claiming Guns N Roses were in the minor leagues compared to them. What impressed me most is that survived and lived to reach numerous post recovery milestones ... completing his high school education after the age of 30, becoming an accomplished martial artist/bicyclist/mountain climber, running a marathon, getting a business degree, setting up a money management company and establishing his credibility as a writer with many articles.His humanity comes out in tender passages about his dog, his mother, his many siblings, his daughters, his wife and the rock n rollers that he could not save. I loved this book! I've always been a big guns n roses fan but I had very little knowledge about Duff (my main focus being on Axl and Slash). This book is so well written and seemed like a very humble but honest account of his life before, during, and after the guns n roses phenomenon. He didn't sensationalize the rock lifestyle at all. If anything, he made it very clear just how flawed and troubled they all were in the midst of making some amazing music. I found him to be extremely likeable, despite those flaws. Maybe because he so blatantly owned up to them. I love that this man made it through the craziness and was able to find success in his life outside the rock world while still maintaining his love of creating music and performing. He branched outside of the world he knew so well where he was treated like a star and decided to get sober, healthy and educated. He made new friends from different backgrounds and lifestyles but he maintained his old friendships as well and to me, his open loyalty and dedication to his friends and family is where his character really shone through, even in the depths of his worst alcohol and drug abuse. He battled his addictions through hard work and strong will and he was rewarded with the true life of his dreams. Very inspiring. I don't know this guy at all but somehow I still felt really proud of him by the end of this awesome read. Go Duff!!!
What do You think about It's So Easy: And Other Lies (2011)?
A ton of fun, although I'd be interested to learn more about his financial planning business.
—Jojobee
Excellent read. Highly recommended to any GnR fan.
—jenaust1985
