Black Coffee Blues

This is a great book. The section "124 Worlds" is one of the most intense things I have ever read. This is an ideal first read (it pulls you in more than SOLIPSIST might). I am proud to say when I saw a Rollins Band gig and I brought something to sign, I handed this to Henry. It holds a place of honor on my bookshelf. If you haven't heard any of Henry's spoken word material or music albums, I heartily recommend checking them out.

i was first introduced to the work of henry rollins at the age of 18.today i am 27 and rollins never ceases to amaze me.he simply tells it like it is.if you get into the whole henry rollins way of thinking,you can easily find yourself in some of the stories he tells.you might have been the guy rejected by a girl.you were the guy too afraid to do anything about his education,his parents,his life.suddenly i found that i was not the only person in the world,burning for hours and hours in my room,my brain on fire.rollins was there too.I WAS NOT ALONE.rollins doesnt waste time contemplating his own poor sad condition.he does the opposite-he tells you to get up and do something about it."he would someday grow into a strong,rage driven monster that rose like an iron sun".his essays at the end - "monster" and "i know you" were my best friends at VERY hard times.this book,along with "solipsist" made me change my whole attitude towards life.they inspired me to take my life into my own hands.BECAUSE of these books i got the inspiretion to get my degree,work out and live a happy,self aware life.if you dont know who you are,if you ever felt rejection,pain,fear,loathing- read what henry has to say about it - and adopt a whole new attitude towards your life.its worth it!

Like all other Rollins books it's beautifully and brutally honest. It's the kind of book you find yourself reading on a train to nowhere alone. It's comforting, and stimulating. There's no arguing with the man,he's right. He is like a child unable to lie, who has seen way too much, telling you what is wrong and what is up. No political correctness or flowery verbage, just honesty.

I read this little gem and re-read it a few more times, I was doubled over in pain from the laughter each time. Henry Rollins captures Los Angeles by the throat in this book and shakes it for dear life. He probably wouldn't have any remorse about it either. My favorite piece was #111, describing his feelings toward other famous musicians. This man should allow himself expansion into longer works though. He would become the Henry Miller of the next millennium. His 'familial hate-fuel' never resolves itself in this, neither does he run short on truth and Angelino angst. But something tells me that's how he wants it. Don't expect him to whisper sweet-nothings into your ear with this. Expect only the sole of his boot. Because Rollins delivers.

This was my 1st Henry Rollins book. Henry gives you the world in your hands through his eyes. Abuse,Drugs,Heartache,and everything else is in this book, on the last page the poem "I KNOW YOU" is so true, he really knows me, read it and then you'll know me. 124 worlds are worlds you think you live in but realized that they are the world He lives in. i loved this book and will continue to love Rollins' writing and music.