Take It Like a Man: The Autobiography of Boy George

This is a great example of how to do an autobiography the right way. So many celebrity bios and autobios I have read in the last few years flirt with the truth but never face it head on. It seems most celebrities feel they have so much to lose by just being honest with their fans that they won't open up and tell it like it is. George is refreshingly candid, incredibly funny, and seems to have learned a great deal from his past mistakes. Some might argue that George's waning popularity since the heyday of Culture Club is the reason for this revealing, warts and all autobiography. That maybe he wouldn't be so forthright if he still had massive celebrity at stake. I would wholeheartedly disagree with that, as he has always been pretty honest about who he is and where he comes from. Who can forget his infamous Grammy acceptance speech for Best New Artist ("thank you, America...you've got style, you have taste, and you know a good drag queen when you see one!" ) and the collective GASP! that was America's response. I am of the opinion that that moment was the begining of the end for Culture Club,partly because the dreaded Best New Artist Grammy Curse, and partly because America at that time just wasn't ready for an openly homosexual, cross dressing soul singer. ( I still doubt they would be now, but that's not really the point. ) If you've no interest in Culture Club, or "Boy" George O'Dowd, then I doubt this book is really for you. But if you're a fan ( and if you've gotten this far, you must be at least curious ) I can highly recommend this book. It is at turns bitingly funny, deliciously camp and sometimes sad. A great read.

I guess I read this book more for a curiosity factor, as I was a fan of CC and love anything about the 80's. The facade of "BOY" during the bands glory days was hugely at odds with his inner self. His insecurity, his letcherous friends and overblown ego caused him to descend into a hell, we as readers cannot begin to imagine. By the time you get to the brilliant Epilogue you realise how much George has grown up. His fight with his demons is a lesson for all of us and especially for our children. No amount of advertising or drug education at school will teach them a more damming lesson about the decent into drug culture. He indeed is very lucky to be alive and we are all stronger because of it. He is one brave and exceptional individual.Most importantly you dont need to be a fan of his or even a fan of music. This is a journey that has lessons for us all.

I never read biographies of singers and rock people...just not interested. I picked up this book in my boyfriend's office and just could not put it down! I laughed , I cried and, more than anything else, I missed him terribly once the book ended. His biography is so honest and real, warts and all, that you cannot help liking the guy and feeling as if he's your best friend by the time you get to the last page. I also found fascinating the accounts of the London scene... so many places and people he mentions I have actually met in person. So I was totally absorbed.

While this book has over 400 pages, it didn't take me long to read it. In fact i had a hard time putting it down. Boy George who has charmed us with his music ever since the early eighties, tells his story with such candor and the witt that he is famous for. I think after all these years and all that he has been through, he still hasn't lost his sense of humor. Between talking about his long time heroin addiction to his romance with drummer Jon Moss, George shows us in Take It Like A Man that he is more than just a pop superstar, but a human being with a heart and soul. George if you ever happen upon these pages, just remember that we love you and wish you the best always.