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How to Be a Man
(and other illusions)
Description
The cofounder of Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, and Walking Papers shares what the hard-knock rock life has taught him about how to be a good dude (in spite of it all).
One wouldn’t usually turn to a veteran of Guns N’ Roses for advice on how to live, but Duff McKagan is not a typical rock musician. As chronicled in the New York Times bestseller It’s So Easy (and other lies), Duff got sober at thirty, went back to school, got smart about money, fell in love, became a father, and got his life back on track. Through trial and considerable error, Duff has learned to strike the balance between family and work, travel and contentment, financial aptitude and sacrifice.
In How to Be a Man (and other illusions), Duff takes the reader into the life of an international rock musician and shares, with disarming candor and humor, the solid life lessons he’s learned along the way to success and fulfillment in both his family life and his career. From hard-won advice on such basics as starting with a strong base and staying humble, to techniques on how to stave off depression and transform darker impulses into something productive, How to Be a Man is the ultimate guide to rocking life — not as a dissolute train-wreck “rock star,” but as a man destined for success and longevity.
One wouldn’t usually turn to a veteran of Guns N’ Roses for advice on how to live, but Duff McKagan is not a typical rock musician. As chronicled in the New York Times bestseller It’s So Easy (and other lies), Duff got sober at thirty, went back to school, got smart about money, fell in love, became a father, and got his life back on track. Through trial and considerable error, Duff has learned to strike the balance between family and work, travel and contentment, financial aptitude and sacrifice.
In How to Be a Man (and other illusions), Duff takes the reader into the life of an international rock musician and shares, with disarming candor and humor, the solid life lessons he’s learned along the way to success and fulfillment in both his family life and his career. From hard-won advice on such basics as starting with a strong base and staying humble, to techniques on how to stave off depression and transform darker impulses into something productive, How to Be a Man is the ultimate guide to rocking life — not as a dissolute train-wreck “rock star,” but as a man destined for success and longevity.
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Praise
Sonic Sound Magazine, 5/14/15
“How To Be a Man, illustrates how Duff has balanced his career and home life, creating a happy medium that allows him to thrive; proving to us all that being a ‘rock star' isn't about debauchery.”
The Writer's Journey blog, 5/12/15
“McKagan is an entertaining character…Fans of McKagan's columns on ESPN.com and SeattleWeekly.com will enjoy the witty banter of How To Be A Man (And Other Illusions).”
Billboard.com, 5/19/15
“Lighthearted yet serious-minded.”
Alternative Nation, 5/19/15
“Chock full of advice and wisdom that [McKagan] has picked up along the way…There is a lot of first hand rock and roll experience talking in these pages, as well as a fiercely sharp business mind…The pages are devoid of ego and Duff manages to give himself a firm beating with his own fists in this verbal dojo. You will never read a book by a rocker quite like this one.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,“100 Books for Summer Reading,” 5/31/15
MediaMikes.com, 5/26/15
“Something about this book…pulled me back in page after page…All in all a fun and quick read that fans of Duff and his music will surely enjoy.”
“How To Be a Man, illustrates how Duff has balanced his career and home life, creating a happy medium that allows him to thrive; proving to us all that being a ‘rock star' isn't about debauchery.”
The Writer's Journey blog, 5/12/15
“McKagan is an entertaining character…Fans of McKagan's columns on ESPN.com and SeattleWeekly.com will enjoy the witty banter of How To Be A Man (And Other Illusions).”
Billboard.com, 5/19/15
“Lighthearted yet serious-minded.”
Alternative Nation, 5/19/15
“Chock full of advice and wisdom that [McKagan] has picked up along the way…There is a lot of first hand rock and roll experience talking in these pages, as well as a fiercely sharp business mind…The pages are devoid of ego and Duff manages to give himself a firm beating with his own fists in this verbal dojo. You will never read a book by a rocker quite like this one.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,“100 Books for Summer Reading,” 5/31/15
MediaMikes.com, 5/26/15
“Something about this book…pulled me back in page after page…All in all a fun and quick read that fans of Duff and his music will surely enjoy.”
EntertainmentRealm, 5/31/15
“[An] easy read…Don't expect a tell-all filled with rock and roll debauchery…This is the calm family-man rocker advice book…This book isn't for everyone but many will find something in it that appeals to them.”
NeuFutur.com, 5/20/15
“Enjoyable.”
Rolling Stone, 6/3/15
“A time-hopping memoir that chronicles [McKagan's] life between a tour with a cover band featuring Slash to his temporary reunion with Axl Rose last year. Although the tome is not a self-help or advice book per se, it's littered with entertaining and hilarious aphorisms.”
Brave Words, 6/17/15
“Full of unbelievable revelations…Advice is plentiful throughout.”
Backstageaxxess.com, 7/1/15
“McKagan is a gifted writer and his stories are humorous and charming… If you're looking for a light and entertaining read with a peek into rock and roll, you'll enjoy this one. Or, if you need some advice on how to deal with your teenage daughter or perhaps some tips on home maintenance, you'll also want to add this book to your collection.”
Publishers Weekly, 6/29/15
“A hybrid memoir/self-help book that addresses a pressing issue for rock stars and those who party like them: how do you live after putting the bottle down?”
“[An] easy read…Don't expect a tell-all filled with rock and roll debauchery…This is the calm family-man rocker advice book…This book isn't for everyone but many will find something in it that appeals to them.”
NeuFutur.com, 5/20/15
“Enjoyable.”
Rolling Stone, 6/3/15
“A time-hopping memoir that chronicles [McKagan's] life between a tour with a cover band featuring Slash to his temporary reunion with Axl Rose last year. Although the tome is not a self-help or advice book per se, it's littered with entertaining and hilarious aphorisms.”
Brave Words, 6/17/15
“Full of unbelievable revelations…Advice is plentiful throughout.”
Backstageaxxess.com, 7/1/15
“McKagan is a gifted writer and his stories are humorous and charming… If you're looking for a light and entertaining read with a peek into rock and roll, you'll enjoy this one. Or, if you need some advice on how to deal with your teenage daughter or perhaps some tips on home maintenance, you'll also want to add this book to your collection.”
Publishers Weekly, 6/29/15
“A hybrid memoir/self-help book that addresses a pressing issue for rock stars and those who party like them: how do you live after putting the bottle down?”
Noisey, 5/8/15
“Offers life lessons and hard-won wisdom from the former hard-partying high-school dropout who found sobriety through martial arts, family, and—of all things—sports radio. In it, McKagan dishes priceless advice.”
My Big Honkin Blog, 5/10/15
“Writing with an easy and engaging style…an entertaining entry on my list of favorite reads thus far, this year.”
Esquire.com, 5/11/15
“Focuses…on issues surrounding masculinity, paternity, partnership and maintaining your integrity and footing in a dizzying world and culture.”
Seattle Times, 5/13/15
“Helpful advice on dealing with the work/family balancing act, financial planning and, yes, book suggestions.”
LA Weekly, 5/11/15
“Encapsulates [McKagan's] life and what he's learned in a highly readable way that everyone—man or woman—can relate to.”
RealLifeHusband.com, 5/12
“The book that all men must read…An easy to swallow textbook of advice and guidance…Men! Go NOW and get this book. (Or women: get it FOR THEM)…Follow his lead, boys, and we can all slide headlong into our graves without regret screaming ‘Wow! What a ride!'”
“Offers life lessons and hard-won wisdom from the former hard-partying high-school dropout who found sobriety through martial arts, family, and—of all things—sports radio. In it, McKagan dishes priceless advice.”
My Big Honkin Blog, 5/10/15
“Writing with an easy and engaging style…an entertaining entry on my list of favorite reads thus far, this year.”
Esquire.com, 5/11/15
“Focuses…on issues surrounding masculinity, paternity, partnership and maintaining your integrity and footing in a dizzying world and culture.”
Seattle Times, 5/13/15
“Helpful advice on dealing with the work/family balancing act, financial planning and, yes, book suggestions.”
LA Weekly, 5/11/15
“Encapsulates [McKagan's] life and what he's learned in a highly readable way that everyone—man or woman—can relate to.”
RealLifeHusband.com, 5/12
“The book that all men must read…An easy to swallow textbook of advice and guidance…Men! Go NOW and get this book. (Or women: get it FOR THEM)…Follow his lead, boys, and we can all slide headlong into our graves without regret screaming ‘Wow! What a ride!'”