Broken Summers Paperback – November 17, 2003

Is it goes with all of Rollins' work, I'm playing catch-up. I have been since I read A Grim Detail (three-ish years ago) which was recommended to me as a travel book. Since then, I have been hooked his journals as well as his poetry type stuff (he's the wordsmith, not me) He leaves me exhausted and craving to get moving all at the same time.This book is no exception. It is, however, unique to his other journals in that it covers a very specific mission that leaves the reader in suspense as to how it will go. It documents his efforts to make an album to benefit the West Memphis Three (remember that craziness?!) as well as the tour to promote it and raise money for the WM3.You get to follow the whole process and by the end, you have to remind yourself that you didn't do jack! It was Rollins that did it all. He just writes in such a way that you can feel his pain, exhaustion, anxiety, and... sense of accomplishment in the process.Reading it 13 years later does not diminish its value. If anything, you get that fun nostalgic feeling of a post-9/11 America that had no idea what to do with itself and was headed up by a crazy Texan and his Bond Villain-esque VP. Oh what fun we had!Anyway, read and enjoy!

I have to say, Rollins' conversational writing style drew me in from the get-go and refused to release me. I felt like I was right there with each tale of the road. Rollins is quite clearly a highly intelligent, thoughtful sensitive man and this book is my introduction to him in the written form. I have been to several of his spoken word gigs and was impressed at his ability to engage a crowd for two plus hours. The audience hung on to his every word.My only gripe with Broken Summers is Rollins' self-importance. He comes across as if he thinks he's better than everyone he deals with, and I was really put off by his arrogance.Aside from that, a great read and well worth a look.

Henry Rollins is not your drugged out space case of a musician. Join him as he writes in breathtaking painful clarity about his neurosis, his thoughts and life on the road. Amped only by an abundance of caffiene, it's an intense ride of focused agression, anger and anguish.If you're a fan if it's a must read. If not - it might open your eyes to someone old school that manages to be brave and new.

Rollins is Rollins

It's Rollins how can you go wrong?

I got this book and I opened it up and it was signed by Henry...but....the book is pretty boring ...it's like reading a log journal while on the road...but I got a signed copy so hell

A little repeatitive from time to time but H.R. is a seriously motivated guy. Good PR for the West Memphis 3.

If the Dark Knight himself had a running commentary on society, this would be it. Everything is a writer's dream-scape: Livid and vibrant Rollins paints the world better than any post-modern writer I've read. Excellent running commentary/sociology emphasis. I recommend this to any student or writer.

Henry have written quite a few of this Journal style books. From the epic classic "Get in the van" to some of the later quite depressing ones like "A Mad dash"Broken summer is one of his better books, because it have a defined focus and a high energy. It's all about Henry supporting the west Memphis 3 case, and Henry revisiting the material than made him, the original Black fag songs. Some of his new books reeks of depression and, while they are really good, are kind of hard to read. Broken Summers, on the other hand just flies of the pages, especially if you have any kind of interest in Mr. Rollins or the mighty Black Flag.Henry at +40 is still angry, still ends up in confrontations, but he is also a man with a deep knowledge of literature and music, and a immense love of his work. There are recommendations enough on the pages here to stock your library for quite some time!The book also contains a priceless story about visiting Lemmys flat. This is a must read!

This book is great companion piece to both the Rise Above CD and Henry's current speaking tour. Although the book is slow going at times with workout schedules and menu plans it gives a great insight to touring, band realtions and the politics of making a benefit CD.You feel for Henry throughout the book that his good intentions are disrupted by other people's agendas and politics and you find yourself hoping he sells 10 million copies of the CD, despite how you may feel about the West Memphis Three.Don't bother with this book if you're easily offended by truth. Henry frequently challenges the actions of the US government but it's rather him thinking aloud then going on a full on rant. Give it a try. It'll make you think.