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patmcmanamon's review
4.0
I'm glad I read this, but I can't say I like Eric Clapton a whole lot more having read it. He's a brilliant musician, but ... well ... there's lot about him and his life not to like. I credit him for beating addictions and alcoholism, and for trying to help others struggling with the same issue. But ... well ...
reaperreads's review
3.0
I really only enjoyed the segments in this book that contained Clapton's encounters with other musicians of his time. That was just about only the first third of this book. His autobiography only succeeded in broadening my scope for the blues--the rest of the manuscript contained mostly complaints about his screw-ups throughout his lifetime. There never seemed to be much of a real main point to his writing this autobiography. I kept on giving it chance after chance to reveal its purpose, but none ever arose. Sure, he discusses his struggles with drugs and personal life and how he overcame those issues, but the transitions between screw-ups and attempts at fixing said screw-ups were so enigmatic that they were nearly pointless. There was so much focus on the negative, that the positive was overshadowed. Maybe the darkness was supposed to be the appeal of this book, but I never really found it too appealing. When it got to the point at which he started talking about being "saved" spiritually, I just gave up on trying to push through. This is a good read for those interested in Clapton trivia and broadening their scopes musically. Anyone else will most likely be disappointed, and may in fact lose a little respect for this amazing artist.
megreadsandknits's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
cathiedalziel's review
4.0
Ok, so I don't know if this really was an above average read, but I do know I'm a Clapton fan so it held my interest. Some good honest insights here into his good and his bad behaviours and some of your average I'll gloss over the things I'm not willing to talk about items.
Good history on Cream and the early years as well as more reflection on his later years.
Good history on Cream and the early years as well as more reflection on his later years.
heather2921's review
5.0
I read "Wonderful Tonight" by Pattie Boyd before I read this book. I thought it would be good to hear Eric Clapton's side of the story. This was a really good book and I enjoyed it. I have never been a huge Clapton fan, but I came away with a great deal of respect for him.
erinmp's review
4.0
It is amazing to me that with all the smack, coke, acid, alcohol, prescription drugs (not to mention the car crashes) that this man is still alive to tell his story. And it's an amazing one. Clapton writes of his entire life, from his unusual childhood and upbrining to the present day. He covers all aspects of his musical career and his substance abuse recovery.
Some of it was a little jumpy, but I'd have to attribute that to his limited memories of those days...and it's a wonder he remembers anything at all. One of the most interesting things to me since I previously read Pattie Boyd's autobiography is how the two write about the same time. This helped to fill in some of the gaps, and it's interesting to see how the two viewed some of the same situations. Very interesting life and his record of recovery is sure to be an inspiration to many facing the same challenges.
Some of it was a little jumpy, but I'd have to attribute that to his limited memories of those days...and it's a wonder he remembers anything at all. One of the most interesting things to me since I previously read Pattie Boyd's autobiography is how the two write about the same time. This helped to fill in some of the gaps, and it's interesting to see how the two viewed some of the same situations. Very interesting life and his record of recovery is sure to be an inspiration to many facing the same challenges.