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The Death of Cool: From Teenage Rebellion to the Hangover of Adulthood
Though technically a memoir, this is more a compendium of hair-whitening bar stories that punch you in the throat until your eyes explode. Many people have watched their friends die and some have been to jail. There are those who have stepped in the ring with professional fighters and been beaten within an inch of their lives. Others have created media empires. Very few have done all this and embarrassed dozens of celebrities; enjoyed more than a couple of threesomes; brought the world “Warhol’s Children”; consistently attracted a million views with viral comedy videos; said, “Jesus is gay,” on national television; and made two American Indians from scratch.
There certainly isn’t anyone with this kind of life experience who can convey each tale in such a hilarious and endearing way. Whether he’s watching his friend get decapitated on acid or snorting cocaine off women’s breasts, McInnes only ever has one priority: maximum laughs. He’s not here to tell you how wise his father is or how hard it was to achieve his success. He’s here to make you laugh so hard, you puke. That’s it.
There certainly isn’t anyone with this kind of life experience who can convey each tale in such a hilarious and endearing way. Whether he’s watching his friend get decapitated on acid or snorting cocaine off women’s breasts, McInnes only ever has one priority: maximum laughs. He’s not here to tell you how wise his father is or how hard it was to achieve his success. He’s here to make you laugh so hard, you puke. That’s it.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2012
66 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 28, 2016
I finished this book within 36 hours of buying it.
McIness explore his life through a series of insane stories that are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes totally disgusting (an entire chapter focuses on an old man's explosive diarrhea), but always compelling and honest. He captures the blind stupidity of teenagers better than anyone and from there, he just kept me hooked.
The parts about Vice are interesting, but that's almost a side note to a weirdly inspiring history of a wise-ass punk rocker who always did what he wanted and managed to make it work. And despite his do-what-you-want attitude, there's a reflexiveness -and at times tenderness- to the writing that keeps it all from becoming a giant ego trip.
It's as life-affirming as a sex, drugs and rock n' roll biography can get.
McIness explore his life through a series of insane stories that are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes totally disgusting (an entire chapter focuses on an old man's explosive diarrhea), but always compelling and honest. He captures the blind stupidity of teenagers better than anyone and from there, he just kept me hooked.
The parts about Vice are interesting, but that's almost a side note to a weirdly inspiring history of a wise-ass punk rocker who always did what he wanted and managed to make it work. And despite his do-what-you-want attitude, there's a reflexiveness -and at times tenderness- to the writing that keeps it all from becoming a giant ego trip.
It's as life-affirming as a sex, drugs and rock n' roll biography can get.
August 29, 2020
This is a good book with some extremely funny writing. There's a quote from McInnes to the effect of "I wish people would just write like they talk and quit being so deliberate and careful about it," and this book is full of that first kind of writing. Some of the stories read a little too much like Tucker Max meets erotic fiction for my tastes (maybe I'm just uptight, maybe it's because I recommended the book to my dad before I got to those parts), but the overall tone of the book is great: flippant and direct.
He included some photos at the end of the book, and I think my favorite is of a young Gavin singing in his band, having the time of his life, shirtless, with a big X'd out Nazi swastika on his chest -- except he's sweat all the "X" away, so it just looks like a swastika. And no, he's not a white supremacist, anyone who says otherwise is a gullible self-serious dope.
I wished some of the funnier parts of his writing style from the earlier stories kept on going through the entire book, but maybe that's part of the point. While McInnes is the first to admit he isn't a guy who wants to deliver a message, he shows plainly that at a certain point he had to acknowledge his age and accept his new roles in life. And I loved that.
He included some photos at the end of the book, and I think my favorite is of a young Gavin singing in his band, having the time of his life, shirtless, with a big X'd out Nazi swastika on his chest -- except he's sweat all the "X" away, so it just looks like a swastika. And no, he's not a white supremacist, anyone who says otherwise is a gullible self-serious dope.
I wished some of the funnier parts of his writing style from the earlier stories kept on going through the entire book, but maybe that's part of the point. While McInnes is the first to admit he isn't a guy who wants to deliver a message, he shows plainly that at a certain point he had to acknowledge his age and accept his new roles in life. And I loved that.
August 12, 2013
I wish rating systems still had half stars, but at some point, people in charge of media-based websites decided half stars were too much responsibility for common people. Anyway, I would give "How to Piss in Public" (or, "The Death of Cool" which is what its new, consumer-friendly title is) two and a half stars if the star fascists would let me. I like Gavin, I think he's smart, entertaining, and in general is on the right side of the thought line these days on some important things. That said, the best way I could describe this book is as a really cool story about Joe Strummer surrounded by a bunch of other shit. Gavin's tales about getting in fights and being a punk and having a bunch of sex and making fun of hipsters might be more entertaining if you've never gotten in fights and been a punk and had a bunch of sex and made fun of hipsters and then grown out of it.
December 17, 2012
I really enjoy Gavin McInnes on Redeye and I love his contemporary writings at takimag.com. But I didn't enjoy much of this book and skipped quite a few chapters.
The bulk of the book is about all the stupid things Mr. McInnes did in his younger days. These memories are best not shared. It might be fun and worth a few giggles, but for most of us, growing up once is more than enough, we don’t need to relive someone else’s stupidity.
I prefer not knowing everyone’s past. Better to be mysterious and let little snippets out at strategic times.
That said, I would be glad to read his next book when it comes out. The author could easily become this generations leading, cutting edge commentator.
The bulk of the book is about all the stupid things Mr. McInnes did in his younger days. These memories are best not shared. It might be fun and worth a few giggles, but for most of us, growing up once is more than enough, we don’t need to relive someone else’s stupidity.
I prefer not knowing everyone’s past. Better to be mysterious and let little snippets out at strategic times.
That said, I would be glad to read his next book when it comes out. The author could easily become this generations leading, cutting edge commentator.
April 16, 2015
This book is insanely funny. It's the type of stuff that's funny when other people do it (a la Jackass), but best to pass on. Even the author admits by the end of the book that his wildest antics ended with marriage and parenthood. My only question would be for his wife--you kiss that mouth? (This question is not directed toward language.) It's a combination of fierce independence, a willingness to try well almost anything, a serious lack of judgment, and the rare ability to articulately write about it.
May 10, 2023
It's hilarious 🤣
July 6, 2016
This is written in the form of one of those "fratire" books from back in the dark ages. If it had been released back in the mid to late '00s, who knows. Maybe its popularity would rival, say, Tucker Max's I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, or whatever it was called. I'd say this is more or less as good, which, I should probably clarify, I mean as a compliment. McInnes' exploits are more mundane, but it's interesting to hear the story of how Vice began.
The problem with the book is that there's not as much dirt as you'd expect, particularly with regard to Vice, maybe because he agreed not to bad-talk them as part of the agreement in which he received a substantial windfall, when he was sent packin', but maybe also because he didn't want to run into any similar problems in his post-Vice career making would-be viral videos for various brands. I notice he even kinda backpedals some of the disturbing remarks on race that led to him leaving Vice in the first place, though I question his sincerity.
The problem with the book is that there's not as much dirt as you'd expect, particularly with regard to Vice, maybe because he agreed not to bad-talk them as part of the agreement in which he received a substantial windfall, when he was sent packin', but maybe also because he didn't want to run into any similar problems in his post-Vice career making would-be viral videos for various brands. I notice he even kinda backpedals some of the disturbing remarks on race that led to him leaving Vice in the first place, though I question his sincerity.
July 22, 2016
Anyone who calls Ann Coulter his "homegirl" is, by default, complete trash.
April 26, 2018
What a read.
I enjoyed the absolute shit out of this; probably because my world still revolves around my 17 year old, male teenage sense of humour. This book is all about a class clown who ultimately becomes a millionaire with a lot of stupidly funny experiences collected along the way. Gavin writes the same the way he talks, so if read correctly nearly every chapter is gold.
I read at least 90% of this book traveling to and from work on the train. I spent at least 60% to 70% of that travel time directing my brain power onto my urethra, begging myself not to let out a splash. Trying to keep the silent laughing shakes under control. I had to have breaks or stop entirely from reading because I was embarrassed by my involuntary spasms.
I really like this side of Gavin McInnes, compared to his political rantings (which I also find hilarious, however at times wildly/retardedly exaggerated). If you enjoy any of Gavin's content you will probably enjoy this.
I enjoyed the absolute shit out of this; probably because my world still revolves around my 17 year old, male teenage sense of humour. This book is all about a class clown who ultimately becomes a millionaire with a lot of stupidly funny experiences collected along the way. Gavin writes the same the way he talks, so if read correctly nearly every chapter is gold.
I read at least 90% of this book traveling to and from work on the train. I spent at least 60% to 70% of that travel time directing my brain power onto my urethra, begging myself not to let out a splash. Trying to keep the silent laughing shakes under control. I had to have breaks or stop entirely from reading because I was embarrassed by my involuntary spasms.
I really like this side of Gavin McInnes, compared to his political rantings (which I also find hilarious, however at times wildly/retardedly exaggerated). If you enjoy any of Gavin's content you will probably enjoy this.
May 10, 2012
I like a good boozey/druggy/crazy memoir, but McInnes is mostly just a dick. The main point he's trying to make toward the end is that drugs and alcohol are fun and all, but your future and your children are more important, and anything that could take you away from your family is the stupidest thing possible. With this in mind, I'm not sure why he included a chapter about the time he was nearly killed scuba diving because he couldn't be bothered to pay attention during the safety class.
December 11, 2018
Hilarious, exciting and profoundly variable memoir from Gavin McInnes.
The abundance of free, uncensored speech is the same here as it is with all of McInnes' content, so if you're unfamiliar with the author's work be prepared for zero allowance of political correctness or "safety."
McInnes lived a really interesting life. While now a conservative, McInnes began his life as a radical leftie obsessed with fitting in with the punk crowd, playing in a band, fighting, teaching English in Taiwan for a bit, starting the magazine Vice, and a whole lot more. Every story is charged with violence, sex, or grossness (sometimes all three), and it's a blast from start to finish. McInnes is a figure that many of his fans spend a tremendous amount of time with; he has charisma, courage, and is very funny. All of this is present in the book, and for those familiar with the work of Gavin McInnes than this is essentially a plus-sized version of his work; raunchy, blunt, and humorous.
I also don't think politics play as great a role here as you might expect. For left-wing persons I'd still recommend this book; it's just an exciting life that is told in an engaging way. A fun dive into 80's punk culture, entrepreneurship, and facing down enemies.
The abundance of free, uncensored speech is the same here as it is with all of McInnes' content, so if you're unfamiliar with the author's work be prepared for zero allowance of political correctness or "safety."
McInnes lived a really interesting life. While now a conservative, McInnes began his life as a radical leftie obsessed with fitting in with the punk crowd, playing in a band, fighting, teaching English in Taiwan for a bit, starting the magazine Vice, and a whole lot more. Every story is charged with violence, sex, or grossness (sometimes all three), and it's a blast from start to finish. McInnes is a figure that many of his fans spend a tremendous amount of time with; he has charisma, courage, and is very funny. All of this is present in the book, and for those familiar with the work of Gavin McInnes than this is essentially a plus-sized version of his work; raunchy, blunt, and humorous.
I also don't think politics play as great a role here as you might expect. For left-wing persons I'd still recommend this book; it's just an exciting life that is told in an engaging way. A fun dive into 80's punk culture, entrepreneurship, and facing down enemies.
February 5, 2019
To enjoy this book, you have to have a sense of humor and be from a generation when everything was still possible. So, no one under thirty-five or who has ever used the words ‘safe space’ should try.
There’s an interesting sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll story about McIness’ co-founding of Vice (his claim-to-fame) in this book, but much, much more – all still laced with more sex, more drugs, and more rock ‘n roll. I think some Generation Xers may know McIness as their paradoxical spirit animal. He is that charming with his brashness, included in this book.
Anyway, many a giggle and snort (stupid unsnortable coffee) got me through his story. McIness’ story is definitely worth reading. I could not have lived it. But, I think it’s great that somebody did.
There’s an interesting sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll story about McIness’ co-founding of Vice (his claim-to-fame) in this book, but much, much more – all still laced with more sex, more drugs, and more rock ‘n roll. I think some Generation Xers may know McIness as their paradoxical spirit animal. He is that charming with his brashness, included in this book.
Anyway, many a giggle and snort (stupid unsnortable coffee) got me through his story. McIness’ story is definitely worth reading. I could not have lived it. But, I think it’s great that somebody did.
August 2, 2013
Wow. Do most people grow up like this? I was a good girl, so this wasn't my life, but it makes me wonder, how many adolescents were concentrated on slamming as much alcohol and drugs in their systems as they could take while simultaneously risking their lives with stupid stunts and insanely unsafe sex every second of their lives?
I guess this book is supposed to be shockingly funny, I found there was little of either of those adjectives in it. I *did* choke and almost die from laughing from a few of the writer's anecdotes about his Scottish immigrant parents, but the majority of the book just seemed to a portray an asshole who lucked his way into fame and fortune by being...an asshole.
I guess this book is supposed to be shockingly funny, I found there was little of either of those adjectives in it. I *did* choke and almost die from laughing from a few of the writer's anecdotes about his Scottish immigrant parents, but the majority of the book just seemed to a portray an asshole who lucked his way into fame and fortune by being...an asshole.
May 19, 2017
If you don't like crude, please don't read this.
An amazing memoir filled with unbelievable events. It reads like fiction, but just about every single event is documented with pictures Gavin has dug up. He is a certified gross, genius, chauvinistic, talented man.
This book is as about NSFW as books can get, but in my mind, is worth the read.
It helps if you have an idea of who this man is before you read the book.
An amazing memoir filled with unbelievable events. It reads like fiction, but just about every single event is documented with pictures Gavin has dug up. He is a certified gross, genius, chauvinistic, talented man.
This book is as about NSFW as books can get, but in my mind, is worth the read.
It helps if you have an idea of who this man is before you read the book.
March 30, 2019
Great, fun read.
January 14, 2019
The book "The Death of Cool" is a sort of a memoir by Gavin McInnes that really shows that the best stories are the true ones. The book spans from the childhood of Gavin to his mid 40's. This book is raw and raunchy, from extreme vile punk performances to doing acid in a golf course the only thing left out are names so not to incriminate anyone. So naturally I wont describe too much it in detail. The book starts off with his child hood and wild stories of taking a joy ride at a party. Then he describes his different career paths from lead singer of a punk band to tree farmer. Then he describes the years he start to make his own business called Vice and his life since.
I gave this book 5 stars and personally one of my favorite books. I enjoy the raw unfiltered and inappropriate stories almost like a forbidden fruit. This also makes relating to Gavin very easy as the brutal honesty touches something everyone has felt. This book certainly has biases and makes it all the more enjoyable and interesting. Gavin looks back at his life and reflects on his liberal views when he was younger and puts in his more conservative views in. This makes for a unique style of self deprecation humor that really delivers well. "The Death of Cool" mixes profound insight while keeping a New York city attitude about the whole ordeal. I never found myself bored and looked forward to reading more and laughing. Before this I never have found myself laughing from a book. Clearly a great book
"The Death of Cool" is certainly offensive and gross. However, unlike most people I enjoy that about this book. Its funny, honest, insightful all at the same time while not taking itself too serious. The plot was truly interesting on its own but when I remembered this was all real I was continuously put in disbelief and awe. People can say what ever they want about this book or the author but I standby this. "The Death of Cool" is the best book I have read. It leaves reading anything else in the wind in terms of humor and excitement.
I gave this book 5 stars and personally one of my favorite books. I enjoy the raw unfiltered and inappropriate stories almost like a forbidden fruit. This also makes relating to Gavin very easy as the brutal honesty touches something everyone has felt. This book certainly has biases and makes it all the more enjoyable and interesting. Gavin looks back at his life and reflects on his liberal views when he was younger and puts in his more conservative views in. This makes for a unique style of self deprecation humor that really delivers well. "The Death of Cool" mixes profound insight while keeping a New York city attitude about the whole ordeal. I never found myself bored and looked forward to reading more and laughing. Before this I never have found myself laughing from a book. Clearly a great book
"The Death of Cool" is certainly offensive and gross. However, unlike most people I enjoy that about this book. Its funny, honest, insightful all at the same time while not taking itself too serious. The plot was truly interesting on its own but when I remembered this was all real I was continuously put in disbelief and awe. People can say what ever they want about this book or the author but I standby this. "The Death of Cool" is the best book I have read. It leaves reading anything else in the wind in terms of humor and excitement.
November 13, 2021
Gavin's fans will already be familiar with some of these stories but there's plenty of stuff I hadn't heard, too. The eulogy to Dash Snow and what New York used to be was beautiful. Some people seem to forget that he's always been a hell of a writer.
October 7, 2025
Hilarious! If this was what Vice was like in its heyday, I can see why it became such a sensation. I wonder if he's done anything since?
September 24, 2017
Like Gavin, dont agree with everything but I do enjoy his show and he generally makes me laugh. This however started to make me nauseated after a while. I know he seems to think everyone has done this stuff, but I havent. Ive never done coke or had an orgy. Maybe its a dot.com millionaire-NYC thing? Anyway the stories started to make me sick so I had to pack it in early. The only women he seems to have any respect for is his wife (does she know about his untreated herpes?) and his mom. Every other woman seemed to be what he described them as. Im not naive, I know about men and what they think...but damn. Makes you want to wear 5 pairs of clothes.
December 23, 2012
Would have rated it higher, but the essays dedicated to his sexual conquests were kinda dumb... or possibly catering to a more frat-ish demographic? The portions of the book exploring his trials and tribulations were far more compelling than the Penthouse Letters stuff.
With that said, the back quarter of the book written about his life post-marriage were genuinely interesting and insightful. More of that, please.
With that said, the back quarter of the book written about his life post-marriage were genuinely interesting and insightful. More of that, please.
July 25, 2018
Without question the funniest book I’ve ever read. Very crass, but down right hilarious. Might be the only book I’ve ever read that made me laugh audibly from start to finish. Cannot recommend more highly.
For those that might be familiar with McInnes and his political beliefs or activism. This book is not at all politicized. It’s simply incredible stories from McInnes’ life. Don’t let his politics scare you away. This is truly a wonderful book.
For those that might be familiar with McInnes and his political beliefs or activism. This book is not at all politicized. It’s simply incredible stories from McInnes’ life. Don’t let his politics scare you away. This is truly a wonderful book.
August 31, 2012
This book makes everything I've ever read or watched look tame. It was a quick read, and an interesting and at times entertaining look into a subculture that, by the end of the book, I was glad not to be a part of. The ending was a nice reflection on what had at times been an excessively graphic and edgy to the point of seeming forced string of anecdotes.
February 16, 2018
McInnes is a controversial character, so this isn't for everyone. But if you don't actively hate him, this is a highly enjoyable compilation of his most entertaining exploits. McInnes' unique style of prose makes brings the most out of every story.
An easy read that's hard to put down. Don't be surprised if you accidentally finish it in a day or two.
An easy read that's hard to put down. Don't be surprised if you accidentally finish it in a day or two.
May 10, 2012
I am loving this book. Great stories about horrible things.
July 28, 2018
If you enjoy the work of Gavin Mcinnes, you will enjoy this read.
September 15, 2018
Gavin is an absolute legend. I dream of having a life half as interesting and inspiring as his. I strongly recommend the audiobook version.
October 6, 2021
Putting this out there now... This book isn't for everyone.
PSA #1: If you want to avoid profanity, crude language, raunchy sexual details, drugs, and non-politically correct language, walk away from this.
PSA #2: If you're going with the audiobook and will have sensitive ears around (i.e. kids, etc) listen through your headphones.
I am reviewing the audiobook. It was narrated by the author which I think made it better all-around - he was able to impart the tone as he had meant it to be read.
This provided some insight into how Gavin McInnnes became the person he was until the early post-Vice years. If you're hoping more along his transformation into the Gavin McInnes of today - the host of the free speech podcasts The Gavin McInnes Show and Get Off My Lawn, and founder of Proud Boys -- this book won't enlighten you as such since it was published in 2012. He touched quite a bit on the Vice years, but more on a personal level -- he didn't explain in great depth what Vice was truly about and the controversies surrounding it or what made it appeal to a certain populations. Really, what I was listening to was a biography of the author's own personal experiences during his first 40 years.
As someone from the same generation as the author, albeit I'm younger by a couple of years, I appreciated the humour and scenarios of growing up in the 80's and the impacts of the 90's and early 00's. My life and peers were somewhat different than the author's since I grew up in Toronto rather than a smaller city such as Ottawa, but through his anecdotes I was able to see some images of going-ons around me and many of the people I was surrounded with. Memories popped up of punkers, Nazi skinheads, friends' stories of dabbling in sex and drugs, music, bands, nutty parents, and what life was like before social media took over our lives - i.e. actually having fun in the streets with friends and society in general. Serious topics were brought up but I would say the number of humourous anecdotes outweighed the serious.
Why did I remove one star? I think the book was "a bit much" and the author went too far in some of his descriptions. However knowing who Gavin McInnes is, I'm not surprised nor offended.
If you're looking for a light read or listen and can take all the elements I described above, go for it.
PSA #1: If you want to avoid profanity, crude language, raunchy sexual details, drugs, and non-politically correct language, walk away from this.
PSA #2: If you're going with the audiobook and will have sensitive ears around (i.e. kids, etc) listen through your headphones.
I am reviewing the audiobook. It was narrated by the author which I think made it better all-around - he was able to impart the tone as he had meant it to be read.
This provided some insight into how Gavin McInnnes became the person he was until the early post-Vice years. If you're hoping more along his transformation into the Gavin McInnes of today - the host of the free speech podcasts The Gavin McInnes Show and Get Off My Lawn, and founder of Proud Boys -- this book won't enlighten you as such since it was published in 2012. He touched quite a bit on the Vice years, but more on a personal level -- he didn't explain in great depth what Vice was truly about and the controversies surrounding it or what made it appeal to a certain populations. Really, what I was listening to was a biography of the author's own personal experiences during his first 40 years.
As someone from the same generation as the author, albeit I'm younger by a couple of years, I appreciated the humour and scenarios of growing up in the 80's and the impacts of the 90's and early 00's. My life and peers were somewhat different than the author's since I grew up in Toronto rather than a smaller city such as Ottawa, but through his anecdotes I was able to see some images of going-ons around me and many of the people I was surrounded with. Memories popped up of punkers, Nazi skinheads, friends' stories of dabbling in sex and drugs, music, bands, nutty parents, and what life was like before social media took over our lives - i.e. actually having fun in the streets with friends and society in general. Serious topics were brought up but I would say the number of humourous anecdotes outweighed the serious.
Why did I remove one star? I think the book was "a bit much" and the author went too far in some of his descriptions. However knowing who Gavin McInnes is, I'm not surprised nor offended.
If you're looking for a light read or listen and can take all the elements I described above, go for it.
April 23, 2022
I'd never heard of Gavin McInnes until 2015. It's been strange to see how he went from occupying a place in the mainstream world to a cancelled person today. That's why I wanted to read this book, published several years before his total cancellation.
As recently as the middle of the last decade he was a jokey, right-wing libertarian who appeared on Fox News panel discussions. Now, he's unlikely to ever go on again.
This is someone who appeared on Bill Maher in the early 2000s and hung out with the likes of David Cross. This is someone who wrote TV shows for mainstream production companies. Is the McInnes from the Bill Maher appearance an especially different person to who he is today, or is the media and cultural climate around him the thing that's changed?
Gavin McInnes jointly founded Vice when it was just a print magazine and has a very punk rock attitude to life and how he conducts himself in the serious, adult world. The book talks about interviews with journalists where he told as many lies as possible and saw it as a victory when they were printed. He was a young man in the 1990s when being offensive and silly was an end in itself. The book also shows McInnes to be a performative person, enjoying walking the tightrope between real and fake, and between earnest and comedic.
The problem is, there is no room for that any more. Somewhere along the post 9/11 world, culture returned to a puritan outlook where every joke runs the risk of being reinterpreted as deadly serious. If everything you ever do and say can end up being deliberately misunderstood as utterly serious – and done so by powerful people – then there is no room for the Gavin McInnes we read about from the 1990s and early 2000s. If every offensive joke was actually just serious all along, nobody is safe anymore. I believe McInnes recognised this shift but refused to compromise. The book kind of explains why. His commitment to being subversive and difficult is built on a foundation that goes back decades.
It is hard to pin down what Gavin McInnes really is all about now, and that's even harder once you understand his commitment to sabotage and being silly. The sad thing is, the overwhelming majority of casual observers think it's totally unambiguous.
As recently as the middle of the last decade he was a jokey, right-wing libertarian who appeared on Fox News panel discussions. Now, he's unlikely to ever go on again.
This is someone who appeared on Bill Maher in the early 2000s and hung out with the likes of David Cross. This is someone who wrote TV shows for mainstream production companies. Is the McInnes from the Bill Maher appearance an especially different person to who he is today, or is the media and cultural climate around him the thing that's changed?
Gavin McInnes jointly founded Vice when it was just a print magazine and has a very punk rock attitude to life and how he conducts himself in the serious, adult world. The book talks about interviews with journalists where he told as many lies as possible and saw it as a victory when they were printed. He was a young man in the 1990s when being offensive and silly was an end in itself. The book also shows McInnes to be a performative person, enjoying walking the tightrope between real and fake, and between earnest and comedic.
The problem is, there is no room for that any more. Somewhere along the post 9/11 world, culture returned to a puritan outlook where every joke runs the risk of being reinterpreted as deadly serious. If everything you ever do and say can end up being deliberately misunderstood as utterly serious – and done so by powerful people – then there is no room for the Gavin McInnes we read about from the 1990s and early 2000s. If every offensive joke was actually just serious all along, nobody is safe anymore. I believe McInnes recognised this shift but refused to compromise. The book kind of explains why. His commitment to being subversive and difficult is built on a foundation that goes back decades.
It is hard to pin down what Gavin McInnes really is all about now, and that's even harder once you understand his commitment to sabotage and being silly. The sad thing is, the overwhelming majority of casual observers think it's totally unambiguous.
November 22, 2021
Gavin McInnes was the mastermind behind Vice Magazine and really set the stage for many other magazines of that time. I was designing and writing for GQ Magazine during this same period and always wished I was contributing to Vice instead. Gavin manages to somehow have his finger on the pulse when it comes to people, entertainment, fashion, politics, and culture. He says what many people are thinking but don't dare to say themselves because of the ever constricting noose of political correctness that is suffocating America and other western countries. Like all good Scottish people, he is absolutely unafraid of speaking his mind and will not hesitate to publicly ridicule anything that he sees as absurd or pathetic. This, accompanied by a sharp wit is what makes The Death of Cool a great read. He loves women but is relentlessly pro masculinity. He seems befuddled with why men have been so condemned for simply existing and seems willing to fight to the death to make sure men are not sidelined in this ever growing world of feminism, extreme leftists, and mentally deranged people. I’m not sure I’ve ever laughed so much as I did when reading this book. Some really great stories were told here, especially the one where someone disappears down a hole on a golf course. Crazy. Keep doing what you’re doing Gavin and remember, get fired, get in trouble, be brave, and never stop fighting!
April 23, 2022
The US can have Mr. McInnes...
Okay, there's some good stuff and really annoying stuff about this book. Per my heading, the author is an expat Canadian who now lives in the US.
The Good:
- Some great stories. I mean, stories that have you saying, holy s*%t - that's crazy! This guy has lived a full life. His liver should give out in his late fifties, but he will have died knowing he lived life to the fullest.
- It's an interesting tale of coming of age and what you can achieve if you're true to yourself.
- It's gonzo journalism that Hunter S. Thompson would approved of.
- He does a great Scottish accent, so when he's writing/narrating about his parents, it's extra funny.
The Bad:
- For the most part, McInnes is a huge douche bag. For anybody who's stand up and half normal, 75% of the book is beyond cringeworthy. Eventually, the shenanigans become too much and the last part of the book becomes trite and verges towards boring.
- I was hoping to hear more about the author's politics and his role in helping to create the alt-right in the US, but there was little of that. To be fair, I don't think the book was supposed to be about those topics. I had just assumed. My bad, but it's also my review.
Okay, there's some good stuff and really annoying stuff about this book. Per my heading, the author is an expat Canadian who now lives in the US.
The Good:
- Some great stories. I mean, stories that have you saying, holy s*%t - that's crazy! This guy has lived a full life. His liver should give out in his late fifties, but he will have died knowing he lived life to the fullest.
- It's an interesting tale of coming of age and what you can achieve if you're true to yourself.
- It's gonzo journalism that Hunter S. Thompson would approved of.
- He does a great Scottish accent, so when he's writing/narrating about his parents, it's extra funny.
The Bad:
- For the most part, McInnes is a huge douche bag. For anybody who's stand up and half normal, 75% of the book is beyond cringeworthy. Eventually, the shenanigans become too much and the last part of the book becomes trite and verges towards boring.
- I was hoping to hear more about the author's politics and his role in helping to create the alt-right in the US, but there was little of that. To be fair, I don't think the book was supposed to be about those topics. I had just assumed. My bad, but it's also my review.
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