The First Five (Henry Rollins)

I started reading Rollins' books at the beginning of the year and he has quickly become one of my favorite authors.This set of books is essential to any fan of Rollins in my opinion for two reasons; First, it was written prior to the death of a dear friend of his which is visible in his writing. I can't exactly explain how. But it is there. Second, Rollins (though he won't admit it) is one of the great writers and poets of our time. His works will be studied in universities someday as they reflect the era and challenge our accepted moral codes in a poetic but fierce manner. This books gives the reader a chance to see the author's words prior to their refinement. Prior to his relationship with H. Selby Jr. Prior to becoming a regular with LA Weekly. Prior to being famous.I recommend this book. But I will warn you. Like other Rollins books, it is exhausting- in a good way.

What can be said about the illustrious Mr Rollins...really. replacing a copy that was stolen. I hope they read it and learned something at least.

Love it.

Hit or miss collection of writings. There are some diamonds in the rough but there is a great deal of rough.

Great condition, excellent book!

It's tough to know what to make of Henry Rollins. No matter how much he talks, no matter what he says, its hard to know exactly what his story is. A part of him seems very together; another part of him seems not just misanthropic, but legitimately disturbed.The material here is variable. Some of the writing feels like someone bragging, whereas some of it feels like someone seeing how far down he can dig. There's an angular, nearly futurist quality to it. What struck me most is how coldly frightening this book is. Some of the essays, such as the one where he goes to look at the body of a recent suicide, are as scary as anything I've ever read. Cold, very cold.Much of the writing displays a trait common to alcoholics and drug addicts; he's totally self-consumed and his opinion of himself vacillates between extremes of self-loathing and self-congratulation. But why? Why is he so tortured? Hard to know.In aggregate, this collection paints as accurate a picture of the pre-internet punk world as I've ever read.

Though not technically his first five books (you'll have to do some serious research), this is an EXCELLENT compendium of the early works. I always suggest that people begin with "The Portable Henry Rollins" which is a reader of various "middle period" works, and then proceed to this which comprises "early period" works.This stuff is not for the faint of heart. You must be in a frame of mind to experience someone ELSE'S feelings and pain and be able to reflect on them and analyze them for yourself.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

You know those nights...the ones that make you want to dig a big hole and pull the ground over your head or the kind of days when getting hit by a bus would be a HUGE improvement? If you're a fan of humanity as it stands, this book will cure you of that quickly. It's as real and raw as anything ever written and far more honest than is likely to make you feel comfortable. This is the sort of stuff that rattles in your head when aren't sure why you even bother waking up anymore. This book will keep you company in the dark hours and soothe even the most bruised soul. If you're not a "HAPPY" person, this book probably belongs on your shelf.

Mainly a collection of brutal vignettes of Rollins' 20's in LA and on tour.Worth a read for the soulful insights into the tortured psyche of a lone warrior of self-discovery.