It's So Easy: And Other Lies [NOOK Book]

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Overview


A founding member of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety.

In 1984, at the age of twenty, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle—partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as “Slash.” Soon after, the most ...

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Overview


A founding member of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety.

In 1984, at the age of twenty, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle—partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as “Slash.” Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns N’ Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide.

In It's So Easy, Duff recounts GN’R’s unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it did—ultimately—on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As GN’R began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that led to his unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since. In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duff—one of rock’s smartest and most articulate personalities—takes readers on his harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock-and-roll history and out the other side.

Editorial Reviews

Kirkus Reviews
Do we need another tell-all from another Guns N' Roses member? Sure, why not? Bassist McKagan is the poster child for not judging a book by its cover. In his solid debut, the author--who studied business at Seattle University and has contributed pieces to Playboy, ESPN.com and Seattle Weekly--proves himself to be a legit writer (though readers may wonder how much credit goes to his Playboy editor Tim Mohr, of whom the author writes, "[this book] is as much his baby, as it is mine"). McKagan has a nice eye for details and a surprisingly good memory. He's proudly raw and harsh, refusing to hold back in terms of language and content, happy to rail on his band mates, his management, promoters and anybody else who he feels crossed him during his journey to the top, and back down to the middle. But he also points his finger at himself, admitting to all of his ill behavior, be it a loud disagreement with Axl Rose or one of his many devastating benders. The GNR story has been told from several angles, and while McKagan's book doesn't have the same oomph as Slash's 2008 autobiography, it's better written and more insightful about more topics than just GNR, including his stints with Velvet Revolver and Loaded. "My friends and old band members may remember some of the stories...differently than I do," he writes, "but I have found that all stories have many sides. These are my stories. These are my perspectives. This is my truth." McKagan doesn't add much to the oft-told GNR story, but fans will be thrilled by this honest, detailed memoir.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781451606652
  • Publisher: Touchstone
  • Publication date: 10/4/2011
  • Sold by: SIMON & SCHUSTER
  • Format: eBook
  • Pages: 384
  • Sales rank: 10,629
  • File size: 6 MB

Meet the Author


Duff McKagan played bass for Guns N’ Roses for twelve years and co-wrote many of their most iconic songs. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Duff formed Velvet Revolver with his former band mate Slash and fronts his own band, Loaded. He writes weekly columns for Seattleweekly.com and ESPN.com. McKagan lives in Seattle with his wife, supermodel Susan Holmes McKagan, and their two daughters. Visit Duff-ItsSoEasy.com.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 51 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(38)

4 Star

(9)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 36 Customer Reviews
  • Posted January 9, 2012

    Not your typical rock and roll read

    Let me start by saying that I have read dozens of rock autobiographies, memoirs and biographies over the years. Usually the more drug filled and sorted the better it is. I have never taken the time to write a review but after reading "It's so easy" I had to say a few words.

    Duff, you are the man! This starts out like many other of the books I read, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Starting out just wanting to play music all the way to waking up and not knowing what country you are in and everything in between. You have read it all before.

    Where this book changes course is when Duff decides to quit drinking or face death. Rehab, nope, he does it his own way. I will let the reader experience that for themselves, but you will be inspired i assure you. Smart guy for sure, and now he has dedicated his life to working with and helping others as well as his persuit of the music he continues to share with us in many forms, mostly his band Loaded.

    I have met literally hundreds of rock stars from a former job and really could nto think of too many that I would like to meet until i read this book. Duff if you read this stuff, thank you for sharing your life with us and continued Godspeed on your sobriety and life with your beautiful family!

    Read this book, you will not be sorry!!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 18, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Anxious

    I am anxious to read this book. I have read Slash's and Steven's books and really enjoyed them both. GN'R is my all time favorite band and I have followed the careers of the original 5 members (Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven) since the beginning. I will always and forever be a GN'R fan.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted May 9, 2012

    OUTSTANDING

    Fascinating rock n' roll history.
    It rocks...

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted May 5, 2012

    Question

    Does this book have swear words in it?

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 18, 2012

    Well written.

    It has has sex,drugs and rockand roll but also some insightfulself reflection. Best rock book so far.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted February 23, 2012

    A post-success success story

    After reading Slash's auto-bio from a few years back, I got my fill of the GNR-era escapades. I was curious how different Duff's account would be. It turns out, not very much. As a result, the first half of the book is only a slightly different read than Slash's, with the exception of the brutal description of his flight with Kurt Cobain that was immediately followed by both Kurt's suicide and Duff's own scary near-death pancreas episode. Duff is a lot more understanding of Axl's, uhm, attitude, but his version of events match Slash's almost verbatim. The book becomes a joy to read a little more than halfway through the book when he begins to come out of the fog of fame, meets his wife Susan and grows up...a lot. The last couple of dozen of the 60+ chapters display a mature, happy, recovering rock star making the most of all the gifts he's been given.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted February 16, 2012

    Rachel mcCleary

    I loved this book! I was amazed by Duff's life and the incredible strength he has to beat his drug addiction! It is a great read from beginning to end. Thank you for sharing your story\m/

    Rachel McCleary

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  • Posted January 30, 2012

    Highly Recommended

    I really enjoyed this book. Very well written.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2012

    For the GNR fans

    Duff gives another insight to the rise and destruction of GNR. Interesting read, and more about what happened during the down times. If you have read Steven Adler's bio and or Slash's, you must read this one. Thanks for sharing Duff.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 20, 2012

    Good job

    I enjoyed this book very much, I would like to say to Duff, I'm sorry for the loss of your friends and also your dog.
    I wish you the best of luck in everything else you do and in keeping a good healthy and clean life.

    Rich

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 8, 2012

    Awesome read!

    Great book!! I could not put it down, highly recommened!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 5, 2011

    Great Book!

    This is a gread read. After reading Slash's book, in my opinion, this is the better of the two. Very well written, great GNR stories & a look into how he cleaned up his life. Very interesting!

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  • Posted October 16, 2011

    an excellent book

    Great book and nothing spared in telling his life story. Pure honest

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 8, 2011

    Must Read!!!!

    I have read books by Steven Adler and Slash, both of which I enjoyed greatly. However, Duff's book is even better!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 31, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 18, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 18, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 25, 2012

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 26, 2012

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 36 Customer Reviews

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