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Blotto: Adventures in Alcoholism / Ruin to Recovery
A young boy, Duffy, watches helplessly as his father drinks himself to death, prompting him to vow that he will never, ever, be like his father. But, when Duffy is a young man, he has become exactly like his father, and desperately struggles to find a way to a life worth living.This gripping memoir, an intimate journey, from the perils of trying to survive in an insanely dysfunctional home, to becoming a drunken, drug-addled tornado, blowing through the lives of others, while laying waste to his own, finally lands Duffy in AA, where life gets really crazy, as he faces two choices; wind up like his failed father, or become his own man.There are 107 million alcoholics in the world, and countless family members and friends who love them, and fear for them. This book, told with compassion and humor, offers help and encouragement.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 15, 2020
Blotto is a rags-to-riches story. Yes, the author found stable work through overcoming his alcoholism. More profoundly, though, he became rich in spirit – and this shines through in Jeff Pohn’s frank account of his addiction.
The book starts at his lowest point: a pathetic man so broken he can’t get out of his paralysing situation. From early childhood, it then details his trajectory into his insidious disease. It can be hard for someone without this experience to imagine how alcoholism can compromise a person’s life, but Pohn makes it relatable.
Written in first person present tense and with an easy reading style, this story is impassively told. The author doesn’t shy away from his heinous behaviour while drinking. He then details the set-backs in his difficult recovery as clearly as his advances: Alcoholics Anonymous assisted his “slow-briety” greatly.
In some respects, this is a standard memoir of a child growing up, then moving into the wider world with adulthood. Pohn details family relationships, most of which start off complicated, and all of which end up estranged. His daily routines are commonplace, familiar to many.
It’s this familiarity which allows the reader to delve more deeply into the author’s dire circumstances – because it’s even more understandable that alcoholism could have been anyone’s outcome, but for a chance of circumstance here or there. Anyone who has suffered knock-backs, whether big or small, will see their reflection somewhere in this tale.
The book contains some spelling and punctuation errors which detract from the reading experience. At times the style is so laid back as to lack emotion behind the words. More diverse vocabulary would increase reader interest. The scene which orientated the book reappears halfway: repeated word for word, the impact of this pivotal event is reduced. Revisiting this incident with different phrasing would have been beneficial, adding to the gravity of this turning point in the author’s life by exploring it in more depth.
The book’s appealing cover is simple yet effective: to read the subtitle, the reader must turn the book almost upside down, unconsciously mirroring the life described within. The story ends with the author’s sobriety and stable life – and mind – that accompanies it. The reader is left with the feeling that Pohn has beaten his demons, and continues to win with every day he decides not to drink.
The book starts at his lowest point: a pathetic man so broken he can’t get out of his paralysing situation. From early childhood, it then details his trajectory into his insidious disease. It can be hard for someone without this experience to imagine how alcoholism can compromise a person’s life, but Pohn makes it relatable.
Written in first person present tense and with an easy reading style, this story is impassively told. The author doesn’t shy away from his heinous behaviour while drinking. He then details the set-backs in his difficult recovery as clearly as his advances: Alcoholics Anonymous assisted his “slow-briety” greatly.
In some respects, this is a standard memoir of a child growing up, then moving into the wider world with adulthood. Pohn details family relationships, most of which start off complicated, and all of which end up estranged. His daily routines are commonplace, familiar to many.
It’s this familiarity which allows the reader to delve more deeply into the author’s dire circumstances – because it’s even more understandable that alcoholism could have been anyone’s outcome, but for a chance of circumstance here or there. Anyone who has suffered knock-backs, whether big or small, will see their reflection somewhere in this tale.
The book contains some spelling and punctuation errors which detract from the reading experience. At times the style is so laid back as to lack emotion behind the words. More diverse vocabulary would increase reader interest. The scene which orientated the book reappears halfway: repeated word for word, the impact of this pivotal event is reduced. Revisiting this incident with different phrasing would have been beneficial, adding to the gravity of this turning point in the author’s life by exploring it in more depth.
The book’s appealing cover is simple yet effective: to read the subtitle, the reader must turn the book almost upside down, unconsciously mirroring the life described within. The story ends with the author’s sobriety and stable life – and mind – that accompanies it. The reader is left with the feeling that Pohn has beaten his demons, and continues to win with every day he decides not to drink.
March 9, 2023
This audiobook is so well-read, I think the author should look into working as a voice-artist.
If you like addiction and slice-of-life memoirs, give this book a chance. It is entertaining and hopeful. The author is a funny guy and it comes through even when he's having a horrible time before embracing sobriety at the age of 30.
If you like addiction and slice-of-life memoirs, give this book a chance. It is entertaining and hopeful. The author is a funny guy and it comes through even when he's having a horrible time before embracing sobriety at the age of 30.
November 16, 2025
Good book!
Great read. I recommend. Very easy to read and well written. Don’t give up before the miracle. Lots of good messages.
Great read. I recommend. Very easy to read and well written. Don’t give up before the miracle. Lots of good messages.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews