Rating: 
Summary: I've Lost Respect for Amazon
Review: That this book was picked by Amazon's editors as the best book of the year reveals one of two things. Either the editors are completely taken in by the marketing machine surrounding this book, or they simply don't know what good literature is. Don't believe me; read for yourself. All you have to do is get past the first sensational fifteen pages to know that this writer has a lot of problems with his prose. Repeating a word over and over again does not make for style--unless you're an undergraduate. He also rides on the back of slamming the twelve-step program, the only part of this book with any substance. The problem is, I can give you that message in three words instead of 400-plus: Do It Yourself. Wake up Amazon editors, please.
Rating: 
Summary: zzzzz
Review: A poorly written, mundane account of a rich kid going through rehab. The inconsistantly capitalized Nouns are pretentious and annoying. Frey seems very much in love with himself as super-addict, and is tremendously smug. Unbelievably good luck comes his way thoughout this book, which both made me angry and made me doubt the veracity of his story. Despite what the pub weekly review above says, he's no David Foster Wallace, no Dave Eggers. Hell, he ain't even Dave Thomas, the Wendy's dude.
Rating: 
Summary: As much as I hate this, it's reality...
Review: I'm not a fan of Frey's style. His histrionics get old after about 10 pages and I was quite annoyed with his spoiled rich kid background. BUT, despite the minor issues, this book touched me in ways I can't explain. It's real. Above all, it's real. Everything from the depth of his addiction to the resistance to traditional treatment plans reflected my own recovery. I laughed, I cried, and above all, I said "Holy sh*t - I know how that felt!". Frey managed to walk that fine line between uplifting and heartbreaking. I thank him. This is a gut-wrenchingly beautiful account of overcoming a struggle with addiction.
Rating:
Summary: Great insight into addiction -- Great story in general
Review: First off, let me get something off my chest ... the "Top 1000" review really irritates me. She seems to base her review on her own bouts with addiction and there is thinly veiled resentment towards Mr. Frey that he had parents that cared (he, on the other hand, didn't even want their help, partially out of shame for what he had become). Additionally, she mocks his writing style, which maybe *she* doesn't like but I felt it works quite well for him. She also called him spoiled, implying that he took a whiny tone throughout the book and that this is some tale of a Hollywood star going to a recreational center. Let me tell you though - this is the story of Frey going to the edge of life or death. The characters are hard-core, the settings often disturbing. Imagine you are an addict and have been told if you drink one more drink you will die. That is basically the choice that Frey faces. So I don't know what bug Ms. Top 1000 reviewer got up her butt, but she completely misrepresents the story. There, I got that off my chest! :) For me, I enjoyed the book thoroughly and it was quite thought provoking for me.This book is great on several levels:
1) It is a fascinating story, well told using a unique writing style.
2) It gives a different solution for dealing with addiction. Frey realizes that he could not use traditional crutches such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc. and that he must take a different (and non-sanctioned, non-recommended) path or philosophy towards recovery.
3) The other characters he meets along the way are also quite interesting and lend a lot to the story. It is interesting to hear what happens to them in real life. Just a good read all around, especially if you have had any interest in addiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Honesty
Review: absolute honesty is found in this book...a book that people should read to be able to get a feel for the raw side of life and the daily ramifications of it.
I want to also mention Nightmares Echo and Running with Scissors. Each book has its own words of honesty and many life lessons learned. Though these books are not for the faint of heart it will teach you about life and what really goes on within a persons soul
Rating:
Summary: As a member of the "recovery community"...
Review: ...I found this book compelling. There were passages where my heart started to race and I found myself trying to read faster because the experiences described felt so true. I underlined lines that put my own experience into words better than I ever have. I am a member of a 12 Step fellowship but do not believe it is the ONLY way to recover from addiction; Frey's struggle with the idea of a Higher Power closely mirrors my own. Though our "core issues" (Frey's is "the Fury"; mine is depression) and our paths differ, our experiences of addiction are the same. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who wants a better understanding of why we do what we do and how it feels to stop.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging Account of Recovery
Review: There is plenty of drama built into both addiction and an individual's professional or personal interest in addicts. Even though the subject has been done before, the effect of addiction on society, family and the addict is so damned monstrous not enough has yet been written or filmed or sung. The account of the addict's process of wrapping his own mind around a personal recovery philosophy was unique. Altogether, as a chronicle of addiction recovery, this book is dynamic. While including the required ugly self disclosures; the work is also entertaining on a less sensational level and in places, lovely to look at (I even enjoyed the cover). Writers and artists should provide more high quality accounts of addiction recovery.
Rating:
Summary: Exquisitely disgusting and purposeful sensory detail
Review: I crawled inside James Frey's skin and I could feel the bugs crawling over it. Stomach twisted and churned as he alternated eating and throwing up, eating and throwing up. Pulse raced - would he walk out? or stick it out? Would the girl be his downfall or salvation? I could not put this book down - had to get my fix to the end.
This was a roller coaster ride through a subculture I don't need to ever experience firsthand, thanks to this horrific and gripping account - I had to keep checking the book jacket to see if he made it to the end. Glad he lived to tell the tale.
Rating:
Summary: My favourite this year
Review: Oh big surprise, it's not all true! Come on you sad sack misery guts who can't give this book a kind rating, that became obvious fairly early on. I was unable to put this book down. I forgive him for providing me with formula characters and I forgive him for framing this book with some kind of hero, and I forgive him for writing what will become the Best Movie of 2005.
The writing style gripped me, the pace of the story he was telling sped up and slowed down with the format and made my heart and mind race when necessary and gave me time to breathe at other times.
I understand so much more about what addicts and their families have to contend with and I also forgive Frey for some sugar coating to make it a little more palatable.
...and I cried a little.
Rating:
Summary: Great Memoir
Review: This book is so deep and revealing. You feel what the author is writing. I am in awe of the spirit to live through the ordeals. Amazing book. In the last few months i have read several memoirs that have captured my heart and attention...this book "A Million Little Pieces"..Nightmares Echo By Katlyn Stewart and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
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