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Smile, You're Traveling (Black Coffee Blues Part 3)

Smile, You're Traveling (Black Coffee Blues Part 3)

List Price: $15.00
Your Price: $10.20
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Coasting to coast...
Review: From the stretch between Now Watch Him Die and this book, we can see that Rollins' writing hasn't so much matured as it has mellowed.

Sure, Hank would cringe and want to beat me to a pulp for writing that, but that's only because it's true. It's also true for subsequent Rollins Band releases following the End of Silence. Can we fault him for this? Not really. You can only endure self-parody for so long.

It's the same stream of consciousness BS that you're in a love-hate relationship with (and have been if you've read any of his other books), and sometimes it works (the trip to Africa, his Ozzy coverage), and sometimes it doesn't (the usual touring gripes and whines). It also doesn't help that Hank's hypocrisies are glaring, this time around. He loves Orbison's "Mystery Girl" album, but does he give credit to that oaf Bono for co-writing one of the best tunes on that album?

I can't stand U2 either, but I always give credit where credit's due.

It's well worth a read, particularly if you're sick of the rat race, and conventional society in general. His insights into 'Thoreau-ism' aren't exactly groundbreaking, but they are unique where his style of writing is concerned.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I envy Henry
Review: Henry Rollins does it again. His unabashed style never ceases to entertain me, whether describing a journey through Africa or jabbing at Bono and Sting. I just wish I had the frequent flyer miles to to follow his footsteps. Rollins' writing has vastly inproved since the days of depressing free-style poetry, and this chronicle has me looking forward to the in this series. Although some may feel his outlook jaded, his perspective on every land travelled to is unique and thought provoking. Perfect travel reading, this book kept me engaged while waiting at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport waiting for connections!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I envy Henry
Review: Henry Rollins does it again. His unabashed style never ceases to entertain me, whether describing a journey through Africa or jabbing at Bono and Sting. I just wish I had the frequent flyer miles to to follow his footsteps. Rollins' writing has vastly inproved since the days of depressing free-style poetry, and this chronicle has me looking forward to the in this series. Although some may feel his outlook jaded, his perspective on every land travelled to is unique and thought provoking. Perfect travel reading, this book kept me engaged while waiting at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport waiting for connections!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Lighten Up Just A Little, Henry!
Review: Henry Rollins would probably be aghast if he ever read what I'm about to say, but here goes: I've found all of his books and spoken word performances to be both entertaining and surprisingly humorous and I usually hang on every word contained therein, but Rollins just seems so morose (OK, more morose than usual) and down on the world in this one that it makes me wonder if he needs to be shielded from all sharp instruments and have his shoelaces removed before he does some real damage to himself. I, too, find dealing with the general public on a daily basis to be tiring but damn, Henry, to paraphrase something you once said: if you hate people with such venom you're already giving them way too much of yourself. Rollins' commentary on the British tourists he encountered on his trip to Africa, however, are downright hilarious and the single-minded devotion he shows toward Black Sabbath is admirable. Loses one star for depressing the hell out of me.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Lighten Up Just A Little, Henry!
Review: Henry Rollins would probably be aghast if he ever read what I'm about to say, but here goes: I've found all of his books and spoken word performances to be both entertaining and surprisingly humorous and I usually hang on every word contained therein, but Rollins just seems so morose (OK, more morose than usual) and down on the world in this one that it makes me wonder if he needs to be shielded from all sharp instruments and have his shoelaces removed before he does some real damage to himself. I, too, find dealing with the general public on a daily basis to be tiring but damn, Henry, to paraphrase something you once said: if you hate people with such venom you're already giving them way too much of yourself. Rollins' commentary on the British tourists he encountered on his trip to Africa, however, are downright hilarious and the single-minded devotion he shows toward Black Sabbath is admirable. Loses one star for depressing the hell out of me.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: That One Observation
Review: I am beginning to wonder if a fan of Henry Rollins can give an objective review of his work. Like Rollins himself, his fans seem to portray an intensity that leaves them blind to their idol. I learned quite a bit by reading this book. I learned that Rollins plagues me. It isn't the volumes of contradictions and ridiculousness that bother me. It is that one stinging observation, the one that makes me stop and realize his vision and clarity, that makes me insane. Many times while reading this book I found myself wanting to drive to LA, find Rollins, grab his shoulders and shake him. I wanted more, yet I couldn't take it. I finished this book rather quickly, and I have been contemplating since then whether or not to start another of his books. As it is, I sit and watch VH-1 countdowns and say to the television, "where is Rollins' commentary?". I check his website like a silly obsessed groupie. I don't know that I can call this an enjoyable book. It is tolerable, at best. And anyone who thinks about reading it should make sure they are ready to commit to the long haul. Henry Rollins has a way of attaching himself to your synapses, leaving you not knowing if you love or hate him.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: From the Ultimate Rollins fan
Review: I do enjoy Henry's prose and journal work much more than his poetry. However, there was a bit too much self pity in this one. It was not as stong an effort as his past couple of books.

Sorry Mate.

PS I would still buy it for the high spots.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: short review
Review: I think this is Rollins' best book so far. It is great to see how his writing has matured since Get in the Van or even Black Coffee Blues. It's like reading a cross between Jack Kerouac and Nietzsche. A wonderful travel journal, that is as much a journey of the mind as it is a journey of the world. A peek into a mind with focused attention, spiraling depressions, and burning aggressions. He has a deep misanthropy, because he likes people, and people do stupid things. He sees how people either don't think or simply pretend to think, rather than actually doing it. It's more evident here than in any of his other works. After reading this book, I listened to "Come In And Burn" again, and heard it in a whole new way.

This is a great book, and even better after reading the first two books in the BCB trilogy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: He's done it again
Review: I've been a fan of Henry Rollin's writing since I read _Art to Choke Hearts_ some years ago. I read his chapter on Africa when he emailed it to his website and howled until tears rolled down my face. This latest book reflects some of the twisted humour that first drew me to his writing and spoken words, but it also showcases his admirable misanthropy. Hard to tell someone you really admire them when you don't like people in general, much harder when they don't like people much either. I'll just have to settle for recommending this book because of its insight, candor, occasional venom, absurd moments, and the moments when reading it in public would defeat the purpose.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Reality Check
Review: In his third installment of the Black Coffee Blues series (Black Coffee Blues and Do I come here Often?) Our favorite American boy (Henry Rollins) uses frequent flyer miles to visit Africa after his stay in England to see a reunited Black Sabbath.
"I WAS A SPAZ" quotes Rollins.
His journal entries on the serenity of Africa will make you envision what he saw on his journey.
His use of language to describe everything is excellent.
A must have series for anyone that has an intellect.

Simply amazing.


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