Product ReviewsLife by Keith Richards (2010, Hardcover)

A must read for Stoens fans, but not a gem.

I have been an avid Rolling Stones fan for over 30 years now. When I first heard that Keith was going to write a a "tell all" as the ultimate insider, I was excited. Somehow, my "LIFE" got in the way when it was first publised, and I got too busy to purchase and read the book until last month. The first thing I can say, as someone with a degree in English, is that this is no literary masterpiece, and at times I find the straighforward simplistic writing style almost a totally distracting lack of style. But it is Keith telling us his story as only Keith could. There are riviting passages and details, boldly frank discussions of rumors and events that spare no detail. And yet, as a physicisn that has had to deal with too many men Keith's age ravaged by over 40 years of drug and alcohol abuse, in the end hearing Keith's version of things I have to admit there is no guarantee that I am any closer to what has really happened then I was before. Reading the book and seeing Keith promote it, I am almost saddened to find a man that I have always considered humble about his accomplishments has probably become the biggest believer and promoter of "KEITH RICHARDS, LIVING LEGEND OF ROCK AND ROLL." I would much rather have seen him back on stage showing us how he earned the title than reading about how he has come to believe in it. So in the end, I have to say this is a must read for any true Stones fan, but if you are reading it as a fan of history and the book's genre, you could probably do better.Read full review...

Life As Keith Knows It

Everything that is told in "Life" is so vivid and rich in details it seems that it came straight from a personal diary, (as if Keith is really the type of guy who is concerned about writing his daily adventures on a notebook).

The book is divided into three major parts: first is about early life in east of London, adolescence and the development of taste for music until the foundation of The Rolling Stones, heavily influenced by Blues and Jazz; second (and the darkest) was about life on the road after their take-off to stardom, tense relationships with his band mates and Anita (first wife), drug abuse, personal struggles (including the loss of a son) and occasional problems with authorities, and third and last back to music and life in recent years, covering what seems to be the everlasting feud with Mick Jagger (professionally handled over the years), the influence of business and money in music and some other everyday things, like family life.

In the audiobook version, after a duo narration by both Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley, Keith takes the microphone and ends telling the story of his own by himself, and in some parts he can't help but to entertain himself by laughing at his own tales.

A good reading (or listening) for rock and roll fans out there.Read full review...

A review of Keith Richards "Life" By Justin Anderson

This is the must have book about Keith Richards. Nothing short of straight from the source the living guitar legend himself. Covering from his days as a young English lad, to the crazed drug and boozed induced days of the 70's. Richards serves up never before heard tales of run-ins with custom agents in Hawaii. Plus the heroin hell that became his life. Including a confession that he introduced 'Papa' John Pillips to the drug by accident. Also the softer side of Richards life. Including his days spent as a grandfather, and his near fatal fall from a palm tree. A few drawl backs are that for near 70 years of this most fascinating life 538 pages do not seem to do this justice. It feels as if it were rushed, and if the proper time was put into writing, this book would not be good, but excellent. Another is the price 29.95. However if one has not a ton of cash to spend there some excellent deals out there, I found my copy for 7.99 plus shipping. So If you looking for a good read this holiday season or a gift for any Stones fan this is would be your ticked item.Read full review...

Greatest rock and roll guitar player ever

Very well-written and insightful. It tells you a lot about him and his philosophy, and helps you understand why the Stones are still touring after 50 years!

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Everything you always wanted to know about Keef but didn't know who to believe.

Keef goes back to the beginning to tell about his roots and the start of the band. I've always been a big Stones fan but I learned a lot here. He dispels many myths and tells fantastic stories. He doesn't hold back on the criticisms either. A fascinating read. Highly recommended to any Stones fan.Read full review...

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Good book but it was NOT NEW as proclaimed

This item was NOT NEW. Sticky stuff on the dust cover and it clearly had been read based on the binding. I deduced that it was previously a library book.

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Very Interesting

I love Keith Richards and this was a great book about Keith and growing up and how they got started. It was really good. I'm only half way through, but it won't take me long to finish it.

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If you need a break from reality get into Keith’s mind!

I read this book 3 times whenever I felt the need to have a good laugh and put my own life into perspective. Keith has a lot to say and a very sophisticated way of saying it. Little stories abound about life with the Stones and life with Keith and his numerous girlfriends. The book even includes some guitar tricks and lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed it with his relating his living-on-the-edge life style. And yet with all his hours of being intoxicated he wrote a huge body of fantastic tunes. A lot like Jim Morrison who’s incredibly beautiful body of work apparently was written while drunk or high. Read this book. The opening gets you immediately into it with an hysterically funny story of Keith and Ronnie in The Midwest Bible Belt , holed up in a diner , getting blasted in the bathroom, and then emerging in full Stones attire and punk hair do’s , arousing the curiosity of the god fearing diners, who called the police.

You’d never expect Keith could write so well. Eric Clapton’s autobiography written a while back was full of English grammar mistakes. Keith apparently is no slouch when it comes to the Kings English. Well written and a fun read. Read full review...

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You didn't know Keith Richards

Very good read, never dull and keeps on track. While it doesn't list a lot of inside "dirt", it does show that the media side of the man is NOTHING like the real Richards. He is smart, funny, witty, and very much grounded in reality. I was never a huge fan of the music, listen to the old songs now and hear a lot of it is overrated in my opinion. The band had an excellent PR man who hyped them as the "anti" beatles. It worked.
So while thinking the band is average, I would love to have dinner with Keith Richards.Read full review...

Great book, a must read, for Rock n Rollers!!

This is a very revealing book, I am enjoying it immensely! You will too!

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