Rating: 
Summary: Not always a pretty picture
Review: Steve Earle chose to dive into the fires of hell at a young age. Before the age of 30 he had tried just about every drug under the sun and was a hardcore heroin addict. What's amazing is that Steve managed to do all this, still write amazing albums and perform and tick off everyone who cared for him in the process. Such is the life of a drug addict. St. John's often unflattering biography (written with Earle's co-operation and input from friends, family members and former friends and business associates)captures this dynamo in action; he knew from the start what type of songs he wanted to write and record. It was always a matter of finding someone that would let him do it. The same thing goes for his drug abuse. He managed to go down for the third time and still save himself. He also managed to alienate just about anyone that cared for him without any insight into his immoral and reckless behavior. Luckily, the same insight that allows him to inhabit the characters of his often heartbreaking songs, eventually allowed him to see himself for what he was; a junkie wielding his needle like a bulldozer and rolling everyone and everything he cared about. He still disagrees with some of his former associates, lovers, wives (he's been married 4 times and had two children out of wedlock)but he's just as apt to turn that critical eye on himself and attack his own behavior in the past. He's still an amazing writer and performer. Unlike his mentor Townes Van Zant, Earle managed to recapture his life before his self destructive behavior took too much of a physical toll (the best quote from Earle--"If I thought I'd live this long I would have taken better care of myself" applies to him as much as to Van Zant). He just managed to finally capture the demons driving him, bottle them up and put them on the shelf for display in his songs. They'll always threaten to break out but at least he has a place to put them where they'll do less harm to him and others. He could be (and sometime still is) an awful person to those he loves. Fortunately, he recognizes the addictive behavior that drove him for so long and drove those around him away. Hardcore Troubador is a harrowing but irrestible read--just like the very drugs that almost destroyed Earle.
Rating:
Summary: Hardcore Is Right
Review: Steve Earle does everything "hardcore," or at least he did. Nothing about his life has been mundane. Earle becomes bored very easily. Earle's quote, "I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in life and music. I'm into pain and joy, and the inbetween doesn't interest me." This book reads like fiction. It doesn't delve deeply into the psyche of Earle; I'm not sure that's possible. But, it does chronicle the many rises and falls in Earle's life. Earle's hedonism, egotism and wanderlust permeate this book. Earle is a walking contradiction; gives his heart to you one day, and breaks it the next. I recommend this book for those who enjoy the extremes of life.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: Steve Earle does everything "hardcore," or at least he did. Nothing about his life has been mundane. Earle becomes bored very easily. Earle's quote, "I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in life and music. I'm into pain and joy, and the inbetween doesn't interest me." This book reads like fiction. It doesn't delve deeply into the psyche of Earle; I'm not sure that's possible. But, it does chronicle the many rises and falls in Earle's life. Earle's hedonism, egotism and wanderlust permeate this book. Earle is a walking contradiction; gives his heart to you one day, and breaks it the next. I recommend this book for those who enjoy the extremes of life.
Rating:
Summary: Hardcore Is Right
Review: Steve Earle does everything "hardcore," or at least he did. Nothing about his life has been mundane. Earle becomes bored very easily. Earle's quote, "I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in life and music. I'm into pain and joy, and the inbetween doesn't interest me." This book reads like fiction. It doesn't delve deeply into the psyche of Earle; I'm not sure that's possible. But, it does chronicle the many rises and falls in Earle's life. Earle's hedonism, egotism and wanderlust permeate this book. Earle is a walking contradiction; gives his heart to you one day, and breaks it the next. I recommend this book for those who enjoy the extremes of life.
Rating:
Summary: Honesty and Talent
Review: Steve Earle is emerging as the talent many critics and fellow musicians predicted he would become years ago, before his battle with The Big H almost killed him. I, for one, am glad to see Earle's continued evolution through songs and books. This book's only flaw is one I can forgive if not completely overlook: the author's obviously deep love for her subject. Her praise for Earle is a little over-the-top, albeit she does temper it with detailed reporting about his failures as a father and husband (hell, for that matter as a boyfriend!), as a performer and a bandleader. If you like your stories told with honesty and truth, you'll love this book. I did.
Rating:
Summary: Near death is right
Review: There is stuff in this book I doubt Earle remembers, but it's to his credit that he has survived to become the vital artist he is. Your appriciation of him will grow as you learn more about his intelligent, but frequently "ill-informed" (to put it nicely) ways.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time...
Review: With so many unauthorized and even authorized bios out there about talentless and useless "celebrities" I am so glad to a see a book that finally gives due to a true artist, someone with actual, measurable talent - Steve Earle. With complete subjectivity - I must admit I am a huge fan of Steve Earle. I have been so since his first album, Guitar Town. Since then I have "re-found" Mr. Earle's work over the last 5-6 years. With each album that he puts out he tends to raise the bar slightly higher. But the bar he raises is his own, one that only he must reach and overcome. His bar is not one that can easily be reached by too many artists. This book covers not only the artistry of the man, not just the music but what drives the lyrics behind the music. If you are a fan of Mr. Earle's music then this is a must-buy. If are only a passing fan or someone who is slightly interested in the man, the genere of his music (which is hard to define) or just looking for some insight into the creative mind - then I hight recommend you buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time...
Review: With so many unauthorized and even authorized bios out there about talentless and useless "celebrities" I am so glad to a see a book that finally gives due to a true artist, someone with actual, measurable talent - Steve Earle. With complete subjectivity - I must admit I am a huge fan of Steve Earle. I have been so since his first album, Guitar Town. Since then I have "re-found" Mr. Earle's work over the last 5-6 years. With each album that he puts out he tends to raise the bar slightly higher. But the bar he raises is his own, one that only he must reach and overcome. His bar is not one that can easily be reached by too many artists. This book covers not only the artistry of the man, not just the music but what drives the lyrics behind the music. If you are a fan of Mr. Earle's music then this is a must-buy. If are only a passing fan or someone who is slightly interested in the man, the genere of his music (which is hard to define) or just looking for some insight into the creative mind - then I hight recommend you buy this book.
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