I remember back in 1991 reading this book while I was serving what was called an "in school suspension" I was in 10th grade. I do not think I understood all of it.. but I was captured by the powerful words. Some of what Rollins wrote about I would not understand until later on in my life. I still have the first printing of this book. It is ripped up and even has some blood stains on it in some places. I still pick this book up and try to imagine what it was like for him while he was writing this book. He was much younger than me and hardly famous.

I feel that of all of Henry Rollins work this one allows you to feel his deepest emotions. He had nothing to hide or water down. This was it. The guy lived in a toolshed in someones backyard while writing this book. Check it out.

This is a fine book of writings by Henry Rollins. He shows us the world through his thoughts, ideas, and eyes. It is brutally honest and says what some only dare to even think.

Henry Rollins is the man. His books rule. Black Flag and S.O.A. rocked. From music, to acting, to writing, Rollins rules all. This book is a prime example. Though no longer available as a single book, it is now being published as a paperback alongside "ART TO CHOKE HEARTS". BUY THIS BOOK NOW, OR HENRY ROLLINS WILL BEAT UP YOUR GRANDMOTHER.

If you think you might want to read a H. Rollins book, this is where you'll want to start. Not for the light of hart, or, weak of mind

This is one of Henry's best offerings! It is a must have for any Rollins fan. This is a glimpse into one of the greatest minds of our time. If you are a writer, a cynical, analytical person, you MUST have this book.

The irony of a punk rock coffee-table book is thick, but who better to do one than Henry Rollins. I don't really think it was meant as a coffee-table book, but damn, it looks great resting on one. There are some artists who intrigue me with their lyrics and there are some who don't... Rollins does. The book contains all of his lyrics from the first half of his career as well as some interesting back stories. This is a really beautiful book with a great collection of photographs. I am very happy with this purchase. A must for any Rollins/Black Flag fan... even good for someone with a passing interest.

Being a long-time admirer of Mr. Rollins since his Black Flag days, I was compelled to look into some of his work other than music, which leads me to reading this book.

"See a Grown Man Cry/Now Watch Him Die" encompasses Henry's personal reflections of his life and touring throughout the 1988-1992 period. Mr. Rollins' book is comprised of writings taken from his personal journal and poems that he wrote during one of the darkest periods of his life, including witnessing the murder of his best friend, Joe Cole. Reading the first half of this book, his poems, leaves the reader with a taste of Henry's lonely and depressed feeling of obscurity. His poems not only reflect the dark side of his life, but also the tender and vunerable side that often causes him pain. . . one would think that Henry's often suicidal view is a cry for help. But in reality, he choses to hang on as shown by his defiant attitude towards life. The second half, comprised mostly of journal entries while touring, reflects the often angry Henry who wants nothing more than to spit in your face and to be left alone. At the same time, he wants everyone to know who he is and where he's coming from, yet needs the loneliness of his existence--one can only feel that Henry's expressions are nothing more than a contradiction: he desires success and fame, but agonizes over what comes with the territory of being famous (having fan recognition and having to do interviews).

The book is a true, sometimes brutal account of Henry's life and what he has endure during this dark and depressing time. I can appreciate his straight forwardness, honesty and defiant attitude towards life because we all share a painful period in our lives; some more than others. At the same time, I feel that while he deserves success, he does not necessarily deserve total kudos for his achievements, although I shall continue to respect his work.

Overall, I would still recommend it to fans of Henry Rollins. WARNING: Do not read this book if you're expecting a happy ending.

7 years ago, a friend of mine read me a poem from "Now Watch Him Die" (They were seperate books back then). It's the one on page 164 of this volume, the one that starts with "I love you and you'll never know." Since then, I have not gone anywhere without a copy of these books close at hand. They are an all-encompassing chronicle of one man's solipsism, isolation, desperation and depression. This may not sound fascinating, but that man happens to be Henry Rollins, who has a talent for intensity and a command of words rivaled by no one of this era. Not since Bukowski has someone used so little to say so much. If you are ready for a descent into a maelstrom of anger, violence and pure, blinding pain, then this is the book for you. If you're looking for something sappy, sweet and redemptive, then try Oprah's Book Club instead.

I bought this book on a whim one day from a local bookstore and wasn't able to put it down. It's a brutally honest rendition of a life filled with tragedy, depression, doubt and one unsuccesful relationship after another. It's one of the more depressing books I've read, but I pick it up even when I'm feeling down. The intense emotion is almost palpable, you'll feel every bit of rage, heart-ache and frustration, loneliness and confusion. See a Grown Man Cry is worth every penny you pay, every minute you read and every pang of grief you feel for the suffering Mr. Rollins. If you ever by a book by Henry Rollins it should be this one.

2 noted ex-users turned full time cranks Biafra-speed, Rollins-ritalin fronting 2 good punk bands DeadKennedys and BlackFlag are getting old. Their legacies are questionable.
They both never met a microphone they didn't like. They talk more than little girls. Both are way too serious and need to lighten up. They're in the entertainment industry yet yearning for artistic integrity (then stick to arts and craft shows).

Rollins complains about book/album sales, his business, and his own niche marketing scheme. The guy brags about hard work, working out, and dislike of everything hokey and cheesy. Typical manic depressive straight edge loudmouth. Relax buddy, you need a rest guy. He turned out just like his parents, but he can't settle down. Hence the mass confusion running out of his head. Every job has it's ups and downs. They get monotonous and draining. Worrying about money [stinks], so you compromise nearly everything up to and including you're very being. Hank likes being "commercial" because big corporations pay well and promptly. Movies and commercials are money on the table. It's easy and if he doesn't take it someone else will.

Biafra is one man publicity stunt show. Running for mayor(truly funny and creative). Including a poster of sodomy in records and calling it artistic freedom under the holy grail of free speech. I don't know anyone who buys a record expecting or wanting such a thing. The poster is funny but is by all definitions pornographic. Not everyone has a dirty sense of humor. Jello fought and lost for our right to do such silly things. Now he worries about his company's future as a b-music distributer especialy with the rise of this internet file sharing thingy (more punk than the whole punk movement combined). He's made a living as a paranoid alarmist worrying people to death.

Bottom line, everyone's replacable, independent. Past succes doesn't guarantee future success, but that's who gets better odds. Like it or not. Whether your stuff has critical mass approval or not. Carrying the torch will get you burned both up and out. These guys are one trick ponies branching off into other areas. A good perspective on 2 long winded spotlight hogs. Their music speaks or itself. JB's album with no means no and doa are worth buying or downloading. Black Flag is good clean fun. RESEARCH/VSEARCH always put out good stuff.

Wow. This collection of interviews is amazing. Though I had heard very little about any of these men when I picked the book up, I found their words very interesting. Even where I disagreed with their messages, they caused me to think about why I disagree. Many times I felt like putting down the book and going out to either create or protest. Even though all four of these men are politically active and radical, they each provide very different perspectives that, when presented together, have much more power than they could on their own. I recommend this book for anyone in search of inspiration to question and act.

I've been familiar with Biafra/Rollins/Childish and Ferlinghetti for a long time, but can't say I'm a huge fan of any of the four, but in reading through these interviews, I have a whole new respect for all of them. Vale talks about so many issues of political importance, artistic integrity, life, and everything with them. What comes through is not esoteric or academic, not something only appealing to punks or poets, but a feeling of being alive. All four are very smart, funny, engaging and interesting individuals and Vale really knows how to bring out their personalities. This is like a bible of common sense from 4 great prophets of the eternal underground. If you yearn to be creative and find your own happiness outside of the constraints of a 9-5 job and mainstream culture, this book will hopefully be an inspiration to you. It's also refreshing to hear people talking about important political and philosophical issues in a way that makes you believe that you can be involved and help make culture and live how you want. We also glimpse into their lives outside of the public eye through some wonderful storytelling. Vale helps to put the nail in the coffin of the "dumb punk" notion: these guys are geniuses. You need this book!

Rollins' gives a bleak and hardened look at life on the road. It's about time! Not only is Henry on the road with a band, it's Black Flag. The punkest of the punk in that genre's truest form.Henry holds nothing back, from getting beat by the cops to beating up an annoying drunk at another show. Henry is being anything but vague when describing his day to day turmoils. Don't get the wrong idea, though. Henry's not a pompous, self-indulgent "RockStar". He's someone that wants to be respected for the same reason a mailman gets respected. FOR RESPECT! Great photos and old flyers are sporadically placed in the book which make the book even better. A great storyteller and one of the strongest (mentally) entertainers out there.

Henry Rollins is the only person I have ever had a love/hate relationship with. No, I don't actually know Henry Rollins, but I feel I do through his writings (how cheesy does that sound?). Through a series of journal entries, this book (obviously) chronicles Henry's life while in the band, Black Flag. I marveled at the trials and tribulations of this great punk band - Joy and heartache, pleasure and pain, it's all here.

Many are quick to criticize Rollins' writing style, but hey - this is a journal! It isn't some great literary masterpiece; it's raw thoughts and emotions! The writing style only adds to the character of the book - I find it quite interesting.

Rollins writes in a very real, raw fashion (and if you've ever read Rollins, you know he's quite outspoken). One minute I love the guy, the next I want to smack him. That's life. Whether you agree with his views or not, I think you'll respect his honest, frank approach to... well, everything.

For a taste of Henry Rollins' fiction, I also suggest picking up the compilation novel, 'The First Five'.

This book will appeal to at least three groups of people that I can think of. First, it will appeal to anyone who is a fan of Black Flag and would like to hear about the years Henry Rollins spent as lead singer. Second, it will appeal to anyone who is interested in what life is like on a punk rock tour in the early eighties. Lastly, this will appeal to anyone who wants to hear a straight-forward, no-bullshit account of one man's experiences, and how he has formed a view of the world through those experiences. I've read it and listened to the audiobook more times than I can count, it's nice to hear it in his voice, I also recommend it.

I suppose that the only reason that anyone would read an autobiography by David Lee Roth would be to either finally get the scoop on his bitter fighting with his ex-bandmates in Van Halen or to pick up the juicy bits of dressing room sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll from his heyday.

Not only does Diamond Dave shed almost no light on the Van Halen conflict, he only mentions Michael Anthony once or twice in the entire book. The Van Halen brothers rate a few more pages, but only as the reunion "scam" unfolds in the late 90's. I understand that Roth doesn't want to sling any more mud, but that's what makes a rock bio a rock bio. Without it, it's pretty much a lot of chapters about his cars and his house and which comic books he likes.

As far as dressing room stories go, there's a few. No names. And there's more debauchery about Dave in Motley Crue's The Dirt than in his own book, so I'd assume he's leaving a lot of the worse stuff out. To hear him tell it he had a few drinks, tried a drug or two, had a ball, rode his bicycle a lot, did some rock-climbing, and never really had a bad/sad moment or serious relationship in 30 years. Sure.

David Lee's no writer (surprise), and his fragmented sentences and use of words like "ginormous" make many chapters completely unintelligible. He claims that this was weeded down from 1100 pages by his editor...I hope the editor got more money than Dave did. Dave's had quite a life, but a ghost writer is sometimes a good thing. This book manages to make it all sound very bland and a little bit pathetic.

Diamond Dave wrote a book? You bet I wanted to read it... Being a fan of Get in the Van by Henry Rollins (documenting his life on the road with Black Flag), I figured this would be another series of road rash stories from one of the biggest stars of the 80s. Wouldn't you know I was both right and wrong? Right about great road stories, but about the wrong roads. The material about life on the road with Van Halen completely pales in comparison with DLR's experiences and travels while away from the band. Hearing his mountain climbing and Amazon river boat tales, you realize there's FAR more to this man than the music. He does have a brain and shows more insight into life than you might expect from a "rock star." A great and natural read that reminds one of Lenny Bruce and the aforementioned Rollins.

Being a fan of Diamond Dave, I eagerly awaited the arrival of "Crazy from the Heat" from Amazon. The wait was very much worth it. In this whirlwind biography, Dave proves why he is considered the greatest showman in rock and roll. His stories of the road and his dedication to his craft are inspirational. How many other singers would take the time to scrub the floor of the stage before a concert tour? I would recommend "Crazy from the Heat" to anyone who is a rock music fan and especially those of us who admire Mr. Roth because it shows the human side of him that many of us have not seen. There is depth of character revealed in his interactions with ordinary people and in his travels as a "Jungle Stud." I think that it is a reflection of David's maturity that he has not taken the opportunity in his autobiography to make derogatory comments about Van Halen or any other of his business associates. If you want to read about the David Lee Roth band or the mudslinging with Van Halen, I can provide you with copies of articles on those subjects. But if you're wanting to learn more about the greatest front man in rock music, then "Crazy from the Heat" is a must-read.