Sample
  • It's So Easy

  • And Other Lies
  • By: Duff McKagan
  • Narrated by: Christian Rummel
  • Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,916 ratings)

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It's So Easy

By: Duff McKagan
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
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Publisher's summary

In his New York Times best seller, Duff McKagan, founding member of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, shares the story of his rise to fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his life-saving transformation via a unique path to sobriety.

In 1984, at the age of 20, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle - partly to pursue music, but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then-decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In LA only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as "Slash." Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns N' Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide. In It's So Easy, Duff recounts Guns' unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it did - ultimately - on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As Guns began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that sent him on a unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since. In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duff - one of rock's smartest and most articulate personalities - takes fans on a harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock and roll history and out the other side.

©2011 Duff McKagan (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about It's So Easy

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Great Read!

This book was so much more than I thought it would be. Thanks for sharing your life and the honesty. Thanks to your wife also for sharing you with all us fans.

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4 people found this helpful

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Reflection and Inspiration

Although many may recognize him as the “rockstar” of various very successful bands, Duff has truly carved his own more important personal legacy, in this reader’s opinion, as someone that really “gets it” - he had to fall and get back up to learn, but he did it and this book examines the inspiration and methods he utilized to keep moving forward. I applaud the individual and his autobiography. Definitely recommended!

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Most Inspiring Rock Autobiography I've Read

I have read and listened to many musician autobiographies and this one really does stand out. This is because to me what is best about this book is actually everything that Duff did after leaving Guns N Roses. The way he transformed himself from an alcoholic and drug abuser through martial arts and reading really is inspiring, and for me that was even better than the descriptions of his time in Guns, which of course is the main reason I purchased this book.

I often find that many musicians spend way too long in their books talking about "crazy" tales of drugs and parties and they seem to forget why people want to know about them to begin with, which is that they make great MUSIC. Duff's book can be forgiven having less detail on the music side when it becomes clear that what is exceptional in his story is the radical transformation he made in his life. Probably he can't remember too much detail about that time anyway. That said, the early years leading up to GNR are well covered and you really get a sense of that world I think.

This book goes on to cover his remarkable recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, to his time in college, and meeting his wife and raising his daughters. It also gives a good account of Velvet Revolver and some of the issues he had helping his friend the late Scott Weiland.

Very worthwhile getting this book, and the narrator was fantastic.

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Deliverance

I was interested in the story because McKeegan seems like a down to earth intelligent guy. His stories of the error great. I think this book delivered and I enjoyed it.

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Thanks Duff!!

easy listen and funny, sad and insightful in all stages. It shows how great sobriety can be

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Great Story

Duff was always my fav member of GnR. Dude just stood out. Loved the heavy bass and tunes he sung, so I really enjoyed his story. This is a must listen for any Duff/GnR fan. The narrator did a great job of putting you right in the middle of his story and I’m looking forward to listening to Duffs other book!

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Incredible book

Guns and roses was my favorite band as a child. I had a boombox in my bunkbed and I would listen to the appetite for destruction cassette every night when I was going to sleep. Everybody knows slash and axl but after reading this book it really sinks in just how important every individual member of the band was. His story is an incredible tale of success and redemption. Written very well

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You don't have to be GNR fan to enjoy this book!

A lot of what you'd expect to be confirmed about the dangerous exploits of substances, but also filled with great stories, struggles, recovery, love and for me, some inspiration. i was sad when i reached the end, wanted some more.

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if you like rock autobiographies this is for you

I love Guns N Roses. I have been fascinated with them since I was 8 years old. Being able to hear how they got started was great. The beginning of the book is very good. You will wonder how he got through it.

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Awesome book

I couldn’t put this one down. Very well written and preformed. Such an interesting story.

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