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A Grim Detail: Destination Documentation and Multi-Continental Self Examination 2009-2010
A Grim Detail covers my travels and work from the years of 2009 and 2010. In that time period, I went all over the world for shows and exploration. North Korea, Mongolia, South Sudan and Saudi Arabia are just a few of the destinations.
The book took a long time to complete because of work schedules, travel and the fact that it's a much larger bit of writing than usual.
I hope you like it. - Henry
The book took a long time to complete because of work schedules, travel and the fact that it's a much larger bit of writing than usual.
I hope you like it. - Henry
- GenresNonfictionTravel
519 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Henry Rollins
108 books1,774 followersHenry 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 13, 2014
Alongside "A Mad Dash" and "A Preferred Blur" Rollins' "A Grim Detail" continues the chronicling of his travels. It's journaling, in some ways of the most abject sort, but I keep coming back because there are moments in the writing that are sweeping and educational and help me to synthesize new ideas, understand nagging thoughts, and reframe the conversation in my mind. It's like reading letters from and older brother or uncle trying to teach you a lesson.
January 5, 2015
Blunt, funny, angry and admirable in it intent, Grim is an intense, kick-in-the-brain journal read. Anyone who's familiar with Rollins' media-diverse and prolific work may find themselves nodding to themselves and thinking I remember him talking about that, and those readers who aren't familiar with his work (and aren't angry about his tough-minded, global-political mindset) may find themselves jolted into a new way of thinking.
Rollins' work is at times heartbreaking: he visits the site of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster (which happened in Madhya Pradesh, India), Vietnam and other politically and socially "hot" areas that most Westerners -- journalists included -- aren't visiting, to see first-hand the effects of these disasters, how it's affected those who were there (as well as their descendants). Other countries he visited are written about in a lighter tone.
Of course, as with all Rollins' work, there's a bit of self-deprecation, outrage (a pivotal event in his life is the unsolved 1991 murder of his friend Joe Cole) and the struggle for clarity -- social and personal -- that many of us, underneath all our layers of talk and other bullcrap, also strive for.
I cannot recommend this work enough. While it is not an light read it is a waste-no-words important book that could easily change some lives in a way other Western-culture books won't. Own this, already.
(This review originally appeared on the Reading & Writing By Pub Light site.)
Rollins' work is at times heartbreaking: he visits the site of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster (which happened in Madhya Pradesh, India), Vietnam and other politically and socially "hot" areas that most Westerners -- journalists included -- aren't visiting, to see first-hand the effects of these disasters, how it's affected those who were there (as well as their descendants). Other countries he visited are written about in a lighter tone.
Of course, as with all Rollins' work, there's a bit of self-deprecation, outrage (a pivotal event in his life is the unsolved 1991 murder of his friend Joe Cole) and the struggle for clarity -- social and personal -- that many of us, underneath all our layers of talk and other bullcrap, also strive for.
I cannot recommend this work enough. While it is not an light read it is a waste-no-words important book that could easily change some lives in a way other Western-culture books won't. Own this, already.
(This review originally appeared on the Reading & Writing By Pub Light site.)
June 2, 2019
This is actually more of a 3.5 stars than a flat 3. I've seen Mr. Rollins perform his spoken word tour a couple of times now. I like his way of telling a story. I got this book at one of those shows and he was kind enough to sign it for me.
I dove into this hoping it was going to be like reading a story in his voice. That was NOT the case at all. This book was a list. An exhaustive, extensive and might I add LONG list of names, dates, places and music.
I forged my way through this book in much the same way I feel that Mr. Rollins seems to charge into whatever he's working on. It's work. It's about moving forward. There's always anger and repetitive things. I fell into this rhythm of going along with whatever mood he was writing about and just moving from entry to entry with no goal and no answers. Perhaps that is what he was going for? I'm not sure. It's a long book that essentially describes that he travels, he listens to music, he is angry, he takes pictures, he walks the streets whenever and wherever he can and is a ferocious workaholic.
There are tidbits of good stuff in this book, but his spoken word is sincerely much better. I was hoping for a conclusion, a summary of some kind but I didn't get it. I will close this review with the same words he closed the book with. Fuck it.
I dove into this hoping it was going to be like reading a story in his voice. That was NOT the case at all. This book was a list. An exhaustive, extensive and might I add LONG list of names, dates, places and music.
I forged my way through this book in much the same way I feel that Mr. Rollins seems to charge into whatever he's working on. It's work. It's about moving forward. There's always anger and repetitive things. I fell into this rhythm of going along with whatever mood he was writing about and just moving from entry to entry with no goal and no answers. Perhaps that is what he was going for? I'm not sure. It's a long book that essentially describes that he travels, he listens to music, he is angry, he takes pictures, he walks the streets whenever and wherever he can and is a ferocious workaholic.
There are tidbits of good stuff in this book, but his spoken word is sincerely much better. I was hoping for a conclusion, a summary of some kind but I didn't get it. I will close this review with the same words he closed the book with. Fuck it.
January 26, 2018
Very enjoyable and insightful
Henry gives the reader a profoundly personal and open look at his day to day life and all of the fascinating circumstances he is presented with.
Henry gives the reader a profoundly personal and open look at his day to day life and all of the fascinating circumstances he is presented with.
September 12, 2018
another great book from Rollins. Good diary/journal of his life, travels, and travails. I love his work.
January 4, 2015
I have read all of Henry Rollins' books to this point and the last two have fallen a bit flat for me. There are a few moments that were engaging (his time in Uganda and his feelings on the anniversary of Joe Cole's death towards the end come to mind) but, overall, the writing does not resonate with me the way that previous books did. Perhaps that lack of connection is due more to a change in me than it is to a change in Rollins but I am the least qualified person to make that determination.
I will continue to follow what Rollins does and writes but, at the risk of falling into clichéd critiquing an aging rocker, I liked his old stuff better.
I will continue to follow what Rollins does and writes but, at the risk of falling into clichéd critiquing an aging rocker, I liked his old stuff better.
November 15, 2016
A diary of Henry Rollins life from 2009-2010. An incredible life story with details of journey's all around the world intermingled with his international speaking dates.
Some really great passages from his time in Africa twice, and North Korea. What he convey's about his time in Vietnam is striking and hard-hitting.
Seeing how he is continuously moving forward inspires me to do more, rest less, and be better.
The diary entry format is interesting and disjointed, makes it a different narrative for an autobiography than a novelist format or a jumble of anecdotes, there is just a little too much rawness to move the needle to a five-star rating.
Some really great passages from his time in Africa twice, and North Korea. What he convey's about his time in Vietnam is striking and hard-hitting.
Seeing how he is continuously moving forward inspires me to do more, rest less, and be better.
The diary entry format is interesting and disjointed, makes it a different narrative for an autobiography than a novelist format or a jumble of anecdotes, there is just a little too much rawness to move the needle to a five-star rating.
June 12, 2014
lengthy. lots of the journal entries repeat themselves. not that I expect anyone to come up with 400 or so compelling and unique journal entries. it simply made for trudging reading at times. many nice and wonderful sections in here. really enjoyed the parts about Africa which he makes seem like an alien world.
September 15, 2014
Hank's journal entries covering the years 2009 - 2010. His writing has gotten better and better with time. It doesn't hurt that he is traveling to more and more interesting corners of the world (North Korea, Tibet, Saudi Arabia, etc.) either. One of his best, for sure. I'm already anxiously awaiting the next one.
October 7, 2014
Just finished reading my first edition, signed copy (thanks to my wonderful husband). Once again, a good, thought-provoking read. Rollins' travels, and the insight he provides, always helps put things in perspective.
June 16, 2014
Great as ever and one of any reasons I love being on the road.
August 15, 2014
Read slowly over 4 months while not away at work. Always informative and gets you thinking.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews