Rating: 
Summary: The Howard Roark of Gen X
Review: (I have experienced the audio tapes and not the book) GET IN THE VAN was probally the only thing that kept me sane during military college!! If you enjoy authentic stories of hardship and ultimate triumph, I highly recommend this work. Rollins resembles Ayn Rand's Howard Roark by his will power and constant determination, in the face of many obstacles, to do the thing that he likes best: perform with Black Flag. Rollins sees life as a constant battle and narrorates the story with a negative/depressing tone. This story should be a story of truimph but he projects it as one of survival.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding reading for anyone interested in rock music.
Review: Although most people who read this book will already be fans of Rollins and/or Black Flag, it is the best book about the world of rock music in general I have ever read and it has the potential to appeal to a much broader audience. It is simply an amazing story. For those curious about Rollins' other writing, this is the best possible place to start. I appreciated his other books far more after reading this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Very, very disappointing
Review: Being a fan of Black Flag and the Rollins Band, I wanted to hear some of his spoken word albums. After looking over the prospects, I decided to start with Get in the Van. I didn't get past the first disc...it was so bad. His voice plodded along in monotone, making every event sound like the most boring thing you've ever heard. The writing was similarly terrible, and lacking any of the intelligence and wit I had hoped for. About halfway through I started laughing, because he was taking himself so seriously and doing such a bad job. I stuck it out, because I wanted to give it a chance, and the whole disc is in one track, so I couldn't stop it and come back. It even ended badly--shortly after passing over a good place to end the first disc, it cut off almost in the middle of a thought. I don't think I'll ever get to that second disc.
Rating:
Summary: A must for anyone with an intrest in punk history
Review: Either you like Henry Rollins, or you hate his guts, there is no other option. This book offers a behind the scenes look at a by gone era when punk bands were not supported by large record labels and were often miserbly poor. With great black and white photos and a gripping naritive you will not be able to put it down. Also check out Mad Dogs and Irishmen by John (Johny Rotten) Lydon.
Rating:
Summary: This book changed my view on life!
Review: Even if you're not a Rollins or a Black Flag fan, you've gotta read this book. It makes you think how people can treat other just for doing what they love, playing music that moves people. Rollins puts a perspective on life like no other. This book will move you as well as entertain. It's is in my top 5 of best books I've ever read. Hank tells, like no other!
Rating:
Summary: telling it like it is
Review: first off i'm not a "book person", i sat down with this book because a friend told me to read the first couple of pages and then if i didn't want to read on to put it down. a few hours later i put it down.henry writes what you and i think, he wishes for the same things you and i wish for, he says the things you and i wish we said, but only held it in.i looked at things differently after i was done this book. nothing too major, but i question things more, i wonder why people are the way they are and why am i this way? why do i change to try to make people happy? why not just be myself and make myself happy?i have since read 5 henry rollins book and the best one to start off with is this one, start with this one and believe me you will move onto the others.
Rating:
Summary: telling it like it is
Review: first off i'm not a "book person", i sat down with this book because a friend told me to read the first couple of pages and then if i didn't want to read on to put it down. a few hours later i put it down.henry writes what you and i think, he wishes for the same things you and i wish for, he says the things you and i wish we said, but only held it in.i looked at things differently after i was done this book. nothing too major, but i question things more, i wonder why people are the way they are and why am i this way? why do i change to try to make people happy? why not just be myself and make myself happy?i have since read 5 henry rollins book and the best one to start off with is this one, start with this one and believe me you will move onto the others.
Rating:
Summary: Best book of its kind.
Review: For anyone interested in Black Flag or Rollins, this is the best bio - it reads like an action novel. Superb behind-the-scenes view of punk bands and insight into the personal life of Rollins - a great American poet
Rating:
Summary: Lunatic Real Life Adventure, Part 8
Review: From Haagen Dazs manager to touring the hard way in a crowded van as the lead singer of independent punk rockers Black Flag for the exquisite privilege of getting spit on and attacked by skinheads, and being ripped off by sleazy, hole-in-the-wall club owners, it's all here in all its depressing, angst filled, self-searching glory. 'Get in the Van' is not only an insider's look into the machinations of independent fringe level music labels in the early '80s and the state of rock fanhood in the same era, but a chronological history of Rollins's psyche slowly and painfully discovering the artist in himself. Rollins's life is an alternately horrific and inspiring modern day American success story earned the hard way with all integrity intact.
Rating:
Summary: Greatness is finally given recognition it deserves
Review: From working in an ice cream store with a best friend whose the lead singer of one of the seminal hardcore bands in the early 80's to becoming the the lead singer for THE punk rock band of the times virtually overnight, "Get in the Van" documents Henry Rollins' blue-collar, underground assault on the American Dream (no, not getting rich and famous, but simply earning a decent living doing what you love). Full of journal entries, black and white photos, humor, brutality, major letdowns, fleeting successes, roadburn, a revolving cast of hardcore characters, relentless playing/touring and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, "Get in the Van" grabs you by the throat and dares you to keep reading. The story is so compelling, that even though the music went virtually ignored in its day, the audio version of this book was honored with a Grammy.
Highly recommended!
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