Take a photo of a barcode or cover
amysteele's review against another edition
3.0
review here: http://entertainmentrealm.com/2015/05/31/book-review-how-to-be-a-man/
ashleyholstrom's review against another edition
4.0
Duff chronicles the year leading up to his 50th birthday with bits of advice he's learned along his wild life. He tells stories that coincide with the advice, showing how far he's come from the drunk madness of his Guns N' Roses days. Career advice, relationship advice, family advice. It's all pretty solid.
Parts of this are a little snooty and eye-rolly and woo-woo, but overall a nice book. The title could have been "How to be a Not-Shitty Person" and done just as well, but dudes need their dude books, I guess.
Parts of this are a little snooty and eye-rolly and woo-woo, but overall a nice book. The title could have been "How to be a Not-Shitty Person" and done just as well, but dudes need their dude books, I guess.
eeclayton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I fell in love with Duff when I read his first book, and now I fell in love with him all over again. The man is super cool but also very down to earth, honest and authentic.
That said, I enjoyed It's so easy a lot more. It's a tighter book with a strong theme, whereas this one is a mixed bag. Most of it reads like a travel blog. There are lists of his favourite albums and books. There are parts that feel a bit outdated, such as the chapter about his loyalty towards his Blackberry. And then there are some true gems, like the story of his trip to the Superbowl, or his reflections on turning 50.
I'm not sure "How to be a man" was a good idea to use as an overarching theme. Some chapters fit this theme, others not so much, and some sections felt a bit didactic or almost preachy to me. They aren't too bad because Duff is so honest and real and isn't afraid to admit his mistakes, but I think I'd be happier if the book was titled "Turning 50" or something else that doesn't sound like a bunch of life lessons to be followed.
That said, I enjoyed It's so easy a lot more. It's a tighter book with a strong theme, whereas this one is a mixed bag. Most of it reads like a travel blog. There are lists of his favourite albums and books. There are parts that feel a bit outdated, such as the chapter about his loyalty towards his Blackberry. And then there are some true gems, like the story of his trip to the Superbowl, or his reflections on turning 50.
I'm not sure "How to be a man" was a good idea to use as an overarching theme. Some chapters fit this theme, others not so much, and some sections felt a bit didactic or almost preachy to me. They aren't too bad because Duff is so honest and real and isn't afraid to admit his mistakes, but I think I'd be happier if the book was titled "Turning 50" or something else that doesn't sound like a bunch of life lessons to be followed.
paulina_aspiringliterati's review
5.0
I love Duff McKagan and this statement possesses none of the exaggerative qualities that it usually does whenever directed at an idol. I just do. It is the truth. I admire him, his life choices and accomplishments on top of his incredible transformation and integrity. I am in awe of his everything.
Me, who had never had an idol in her life and had always been kind of apprehensive over that fact because EVERYONE seems to have one, usually a parent, or both. I had never. Not that I don't love my parents, or admire them. I do. It just never felt right to call them my idols. And then Dec 30th 2015 happened and my life was altered forever.
I didn't know it. Now I do. When it makes your head turn, eyes water, heart swell, mind reel from emotion for almost 7 consecutive months—what else could it be?
I fuckin' love this man SO much.
Keep on rockin', Duff. I will make it so I get to see you in real life and shake your hand, or even get a hug. And see you rock my world on stage, performing live with GN'R, or maybe not only.
FOREVER. IN. AWE.
Me, who had never had an idol in her life and had always been kind of apprehensive over that fact because EVERYONE seems to have one, usually a parent, or both. I had never. Not that I don't love my parents, or admire them. I do. It just never felt right to call them my idols. And then Dec 30th 2015 happened and my life was altered forever.
I didn't know it. Now I do. When it makes your head turn, eyes water, heart swell, mind reel from emotion for almost 7 consecutive months—what else could it be?
I fuckin' love this man SO much.
Keep on rockin', Duff. I will make it so I get to see you in real life and shake your hand, or even get a hug. And see you rock my world on stage, performing live with GN'R, or maybe not only.
FOREVER. IN. AWE.
hamikka's review against another edition
3.0
The highlights of this book are the anecdotes. Funny, bittersweet, sometimes painful, a man on the cusp of 50 looks back on his life and has plenty of stories to tell. Not as engaging or engrossing as It's So Easy, and some of his chivalric advice is too old-fashioned for my taste. Duff has come a long way in his life, and there are words of wisdom in his raconteur's shtick, but I wouldn't recommend this to boys or men who are seeking a model of modern masculinity.