One from None: Collected Works, 1987

by Henry Rollins

Book by Rollins, Henry

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Music, Philosophy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Henry Rollins (born Henry Lawrence Garfield; often referred to simply as Rollins) is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, author, actor and publisher.

After joining the short-lived Washington, D.C. band State of Alert in 1980, Rollins fronted the Californian hardcore punk band Black Flag from 1981 until 1986. Following the band's breakup, Rollins soon established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups until 2003 and during 2006.

Since Black Flag, Rollins has embarked on projects covering a variety of media. He has hosted numerous radio shows, such as The Henry Rollins Show and Harmony In My Head, and television shows, such as MTV's 120 Minutes and Jackass, along with roles in several films. Rollins has also campaigned for human rights in the United States, promoting gay rights in particular, and tours overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain American troops.

Reviews

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im not sure which way is the smartest way to read this entry from the Rollins catalogue. One from None is essentially a two part book with the majority being his random thoughts captured at both opportune and inopportune times on his journeys. I don't like using the word random however those unfamiliar with Henry will not really understand we he is trying to accomplish with his thoughts on paper. Frankly I don't think anyone but the man himself will which is what has drawn me to his work since I was 12 years old some 26 years now.

The second half of the book was an extended and in-depth interview conducted with Henry over a period of a few days in Europe. Whats interesting is how closed off he was at first and how the interviewer was able to relate and communicate enough with him to allow him to open up for the reader.
Secondly, the interview sheds some light on Rollins's writing, his style, his intent, his purpose and his need. Part of me says that you need to be introduced to the very raw and dark side of Henry and that you should jump in feet first to his writing but the other side says that some may need some enlightenment first so read the interview.

Ultimately, while writing this review and my reflection of all of Henrys work that I have ingested over the years, I say...If you can't handle your animalistic side and are afraid to jump right in, you don't deserve to bare witness. Rollins would probably say, you can't handle it, walk the fuck away.

Knuckle up and let the machine take over.

[Casey Kiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better Rollins books, in my opinion.

'I want to take a screwdriver
Mutilate my face
Find a beautiful woman
Make her love me for what I am
Then say I don't need it and walk away'

'People get lost
The alarm clock goes off and someone loses their way
All of a sudden five years have passed
Same job
They look at themselves in the mirror
Can't understand where it all went
A dirty underhanded trick
Someone gets lost and destroyed
People walking the streets like dumb animals
Smart enough to be cruel
Handcuffed to the television set
Another beer can opens
The sun goes down on another day
Self destruction slow and complete
What nasty things we do to ourselves'

'Whoever said that shit about no man is an island
Has never met me'

Just real.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

You think you have it bad, Henry will remind of worse.
This book made me stop feeling sorry for myself & all
the fucked up shit I had done to myself or that others had
done to me. I read three of his book in a row & still have more to go.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot. It's early stuff compared to most of his work that I've read, and the copy I had included a lengthy interview I enjoyed as much as the rest of the book.

[Gavin Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy going read

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Written the year after Black Flag broke up, Rollins records his thoughts and feelings with very few markers of time and place despite starting up the Rollins Band and going on multiple spoken word tours. It's Get in the Van pulled inside out. Intense and elliptical, it's the journal of a young man whose had his work turned inside out. The last third of the book contains a long interview he did in Switzerland that could be called "The Philosophy of Henry Rollins."

I thought this bit was telling:

Be careful of people
People on their way up
People on their way down or out
These punk rockers turned stoner record executives
So funny that they survive

[Missy Lattanze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read many many times, this is a favorite of mine.

[Alex Ankarr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my fave. Still love Rollins, though.

[Matt Aragon - Shafi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real shit.

[Jamie Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm more forgiving of the early Rollins stuff now - it's like it all makes more sense (the whole career/catalog) with time and the further you go in. First time reading this one, but liked a lot of it - whereas previously I've found his earliest stuff a bit rough. This was still rough, but somewhat charmingly so.

[sadako · Rating 1 out of 5]

back when i thought he had something worthwild to say i read some of his books...bad mistake. how come i can't put negative stars?

[Tom Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, I know exactly how he (at least his poet persona) feels.

[Kathleen Kosiec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, powerful poetry and essays. Just what I would expect from Rollins.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Rollins collected writings from 1987. Basically just collections of his sporadic thoughts at the moments he took the time to write them down.