Rating: 
Summary: Mc'Dharma Poisoning
Review: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This is a very sad book, with a terrific lesson (although the author never finds it).
Noah many times comes so close to some kind of understanding, but then misses it. Moments constantly arise throughout the book, where you have great hope that he will see what's right in front of him. Yet, he never does. Like after he attended a speech given by the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya. Noah remarks in length on the Tibetan way of compassion, and at first it seems he starting to open his eyes. Then immediately after, he reacts hatefully and vandalizes someone's property because they treat "his" friend poorly. It's written in such a way, you'd have to believe he's proud of this act while he's writing it. What's maybe worse is that he never comments on his actions, and doesn't appear to ever realize how opposite they are from the teachings he's claiming to embrace. If this was a work of fiction, it could be a comical story of person continually missing the point. But sadly it is not. The pain he causes others after starting his spiritual journey, reads more devastating then any he may of inflicted while he was abusing drugs. Like always in the book, he seems completely blind to it.
Maybe Noah has grown a great deal since he wrote this book. I doubt this however, as I saw on his website he's now having a documentary made about himself. From what I found on the "Meditate and Destroy" website. This film will mainly consist of Noah chain smoking and driving around in his vintage 64 Impala, as he gets nostalgic over the salad days of his misspent youth. Showing us the Dharma is yet just another fashion accessory he uses to finish the overall reflection, he is desperately trying to make sure we all see. The whole thing almost causes tears, when you see how tragic his journey appears to of come. He wrote as if he's got through the worst times of his life. However, I fear a fall from the heights that his ego have taken him, could end up being some of the darkest moments in his life. I hope if this happens he can actually find the Dharma, instead of just wearing it.
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Rating: 
Summary: Read Hardcore Zen instead.
Review: A couple of people have mentioned "Hardcore Zen" and compared it to D.P. It really is way better. It is much more funny and much less pretentious. I don't doubt that D.P. is helping some people but I also have to think that just about anybody would be glad that they read Hardcore Zen.
Rating: 
Summary: changed my entire view on life...
Review: a must read for anyone who is young, new in sobriety/recovery, or considering sobriety. My outlook is forever altered in an phenomenally positive way. Best read of my life.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Educational
Review: After reading Dharma Punx, I have to say that I was absolutely amazed. The book caught my attention becuase of its interesting cover photograph and I only started to read the book because I doubted the author's sincerity in being a "Buddhist Punk." Before long I couldn't put the book down. I was completely drawn in by the author's unique memoir and flashback writing style and interesting stories. The book definitely made me reflect back on my life and reevaluate some things. I found this book to be completely inspirational and it educated teens who may be dealing with rough times in their lives. The book showed them that there are alternative means to dealing with your problems then violence, criminal activities, and suicide. I would reccommend this book to mostly the teen and early twenty-somethings audience.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Educational
Review: After reading Dharma Punx, I have to say that I was absolutely amazed. The book caught my attention becuase of its interesting cover photograph and I only started to read the book because I doubted the author's sincerity in being a "Buddhist Punk." Before long I couldn't put the book down. I was completely drawn in by the author's unique memoir and flashback writing style and interesting stories. The book definitely made me reflect back on my life and reevaluate some things. I found this book to be completely inspirational and it educated teens who may be dealing with rough times in their lives. The book showed them that there are alternative means to dealing with your problems then violence, criminal activities, and suicide. I would reccommend this book to mostly the teen and early twenty-somethings audience.
Rating:
Summary: Read Hardcore Zen instead.
Review: After reading the other reviews I felt I had to comment.I thought this was a great a book. Personally, in many ways it helped me view life differently and got me interested in Buddhism and spiritual practice. I think the problems with others may be that they cannot relate to his story. I definitely recommend this book to anyone involved in or has appreciation for Hardcore and straight edge, punk rock, skateboarding and that whole scene in general. You will most likely be able to relate and get something out of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book.
Review: After reading the other reviews I felt I had to comment. I thought this was a great a book. Personally, in many ways it helped me view life differently and got me interested in Buddhism and spiritual practice. I think the problems with others may be that they cannot relate to his story. I definitely recommend this book to anyone involved in or has appreciation for Hardcore and straight edge, punk rock, skateboarding and that whole scene in general. You will most likely be able to relate and get something out of this book.
Rating:
Summary: disappointed
Review: As a person on a spiritual path after my own stuggles with drugs and alcohol, I was looking forward to reading this book and getting inspired. I was quite disappointed. Noah's book of elementary-style writing and run on sentences can best be summed up as "Noah is a punk rocker and he meditates and he thinks he's really cool". Every other paragraph is littered with "I am a punk rocker" statements. It gets really tedious, especially after the first chapter. The book is clearly meant for his fellow punk-rockers--and it's wonderful if troubled teens really connect to what he's saying. However, for someone on a spiritual path, Noah is certainly attached to his ego. Noah brags a lot, puts in some plugs for his father's books, and makes you realize that with connections, anyone can get published. On the plus side, this book has inspired me to write my own memoirs...
Rating:
Summary: Uplifting and Insightful
Review: As someone who is just beginning to follow a spiritual path of awareness, I found Noah's book to be a tremendous benefit to my practice. Perhaps it is true that it will resonate more with people around our age (30s), however I think the basic message applies for all who might read his story. Since it is his memoir and not an instructional guide, he uses his personal experience to illustrate different methods of practice. He shows the reader that in life, one can follow a path of spirituality in their own way and be successful. This is very inspiring and give me a great deal of freedom and confidence in accepting my path and following the practice. Thank you, Noah, for your incredible work, uplifting story and unique insights.
Rating:
Summary: Solid read...worth reading again
Review: Definitely a book of choice whether you follow a spiritual path or not. Old punkers and, I think, just about anyone can get a great feeling by knowing that "you are not alone". Struggling during youth, struggling in life, being true to one's self and one's nature is tough for all of us. Just being alive and knowing who we are is trying at times. I'm not sure if this review will help anyone choose to read this book, but I wanted to get my opinion out there. I saw a great amount of negative responses and they all seemed so trumped up--like a personal attack??? This is plain and simply a good, solid read for anyone. Oh ye who cringe and cower before the throne
Of him whose heart is fire, whose hands are stone,
Who shall deliver you from this death in life-
Strike off your chains, and make your souls your own!! Lucretius
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