The Long Hard Road Out of Hell
by Marilyn Manson, Neil Strauss
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Book Reviews of The Long Hard Road Out of Hell
Book Review: Fascinating Look at the birth of Marilyn Manson
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was extremely fascinating. It really brings to life the transformation of Brian Warner to Marilyn Manson. It shows events in his childhood that helped to shape him into the person he is. With first person memories, he describes his childhood and the impact music played on his ambitions and goals.
The book goes on to talk about the formation of his band and how the members met, discussing problems with band members and how the band had lofty goals that seemed unreachable. Later, opening for Nine Inch Nails, he became friends with Trent Rezner and later came to know Anton LaVey, both of whom had great influence on his life. Manson talks about how his rise to Superstar status changed his view on drugs, sex, other life aspects. He explains how he took on the the name Marilyn Manson permanently, stating that at a certain moment he realized Brian Warner was dying and Marilyn Manson was being born.
Throughout the book there are moments where Manson remembers where he was when he came up with ideas for some of his songs including his version of "Sweet Dreams" and "The Beautiful People". The book also covers some of his own philosophies about love, homosexuality, and life.
The book is beautifully constructed with photos and artwork which help with the understanding of what he is discussing. The book goes into great detail, allowing the reader to really understand why Marilyn Manson is the way he is. A fantastic read that, I believe, fans and non-fans would enjoy.
Book Review: Great, interesting book
Summary: 5 Stars
Annotation: "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" is Manson's life as told from the person who would know it best, him. He tells the story of his life starting from the time him and his brother would sneak in his grandfather's basement. Then onto him being in a private Christian school. He tells about how he tries unsuccessfully to get himself kicked out of school, to starting his band, getting signed, and meeting Trent Reznor. Also it reveals the struggles of getting Antichrist Superstar recorded.
Evaluation: The book starts out with the chapter "When I Was a Worm"; the other two chapters are called "Deformography" and "How I Got My Wings". This shows a progression throughout the book from him being a naïve, mischievous kid to him changing and coming about to find out who he was, and confronting the struggles, which he faced. Shows a lot of insight into a man, who often tends to be misinterpreted. This book shows another part of him and shares with his readers some of his deepest thoughts.
I thought this was a great book for Manson fans or not. It is very entertaining; there never is a dull part. It is hard to imagine another biography that could be as interesting as this one was. This book has everything from some very humorous that you wouldn't be able to stop yourself from laughing out loud, to some wild, sickening parts. Manson shares some of his philosophies and also disproves some rumors surrounding him. This is a book I would recommend to anyone, even those who don't like to read.
Book Review: Marilyn Manson Revealed
Summary: 4 Stars
Marilyn Manson (Brian Warner) is many things to many different people. He is a satanic demon and antichrist to the religous right. He is an idol to many teenagers. He is a respected and a hated musician. He might even think of himself as the redeemer that Nietzsche hoped would triumph over God and nothingness.It is not suprising that many do not understand this man. A Long Hard Road Out of Hell is an insightful portrait the man who has inspired much controversy. He represents the course of his life as a descent into hell--Dante's inferno to be precise. As his life and the book progress, he descends into lower and lower circles.
This is an interesting device, but the book tends to focus more on the descent than it does on his thoughts. There are many other people who have written about their darkest experiences, but Manson's ideas are unique. A Long Hard Road Out of Hell is at its best when it focuses on Manson's philosophical side. I like knowing that his music has a purpose. Manson is trying to get people to see who they are (what society has made them become), and show them that they can become more than the sum of society's influences. He is a musician but he is also a philosopher. Many of his ideas are a lot like Nietszche's and La Vey's. His songs are about self sufficiency and not being dependent on constructs such as religion and media. It is almost ironic that in a way he is trying to reform society by becoming everything that it hates.
Book Review: Marilyn Manson scares me
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, not so much him as his image. Throughout the entire book I found myself covering many of the pictures and even avoiding viewing the cover.
That said, the book is incredible. Despite, for some odd reason, my innate--almost unconscious, and especially irrational--fear of his image, I found myself especially intrigued by many of his 'uncommon' experiences. He is an incredible, thoughtful writer, and though I had only casual interest in (or even knowledge of) him before, it was very cool to get a peek into his mind and thought process (and to gain an especial appreciation for his musical works with this knowledge). I often found myself agreeing, and perhaps even looking at things in a new way.
He lays his views out well, and sticks it to his (often hypocritical and just plain *wrong*) critics with justifiably pissed-off grace. And even through all the 'shocking' events throughout his long career he casually divulges and explains, there is a sense of true underlying morality. And though this is non-fiction, I did get a sort of sense of a 'happy ending'. Not in the cliche, sappy way of course, but as the book wraps up, after his self-reflection has examined and rehashed all the effed-up events of his earlier days, it seems as though there's a sort of change-for-the-better. An enlightenment that implies he's grown into a more mature person, and he's ultimately better than many of the things that he's been a part of.
Book Review: Great Read - We Have A Lot In Common
Summary: 5 Stars
Brian and I have a lot in common, specifically that we both went to those hypocritical, theo-fascist/theo-nazi, "Christian" schools, albeit in different parts of the country, but the net result was pretty much the same. I saw more abuse in those places than I ever did in "the world", which was a kickstart for me to keep investigating for myself the utter hypocrisy I was being indoctrinated with. At age 43, I continue to do just that.
My school was part of the Hyles legacy, a man who had more sin going on in his own life than I had ever heard of. In fact, one fellow student, 2 or 3 years older than me, eventually became a police officer, and ended up murdering his wife and kids in later life. Talk about cracking under pressure ! That place was known for being whacko. This was but one example of many I could tell about.
Manson speaks for two generations with his music, and I've heard much of his material. Some of it I cannot follow because of the screamo style, but eventually I get it. Were it not for "heavy metal", I'd probably be pushing up daisies right now, because due to what I went through, I didn't feel life was worth living. But for better or worse, music saved my life when religion didn't do squat. Nowadays, I've "lost my religion", to borrow a phrase.
Thanks Brian ! Ya did good, my brother! Keep fighting the good fight.