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My Life and Times
great condition but with no dust jacket. book has never been read. very nice clean copy.
204 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
About the author
Henry Miller
975 books5,334 followersHenry Valentine Miller was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist. He broke with existing literary forms and developed a new type of semi-autobiographical novel that blended character study, social criticism, philosophical reflection, stream of consciousness, explicit language, sex, surrealist free association, and mysticism. His most characteristic works of this kind are Tropic of Cancer, Black Spring, Tropic of Capricorn, and the trilogy The Rosy Crucifixion, which are based on his experiences in New York City and Paris (all of which were banned in the United States until 1961). He also wrote travel memoirs and literary criticism, and painted watercolors.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 19, 2017
جميل هذا الكاتب، أسلوبه السلس يشعركَ أنكَ تقرأ و قطعة سكر تذوب في فمك
February 22, 2018
الحياة من زاوية مختلفةوفي هيئة كتاب
August 18, 2013
One might well ask why Henry Miller's "My Life and Times" was even published, seeing as the majority of his previous books were autobiographical. Well, this is not a traditional autobiography.
First, it's a coffee table book, printed on heavy, creamy paper, and lavishly illustrated with silvery black-and-white photographs of Miller, his family, friends, and haunts, his manuscripts, and his book outlines, as well as color photographs of his lovely paintings.
Second, it doesn't follow the usual format for an autobiography. True, there's a detailed chronology of the major and minor events of Miller's life printed on the end-papers, but the main body of the text is taken from the transcripts of interviews with Miller conducted by the book's principal photographer and designer, and it loosely covers seven chapters ("Now," "Writing," "Big Sur," Painting," "Paris," "Paris Revisited," and "Childhood"). As such, the style of the text is breezy and conversational, with lots of practical wisdom tucked in here and there.
All that said, I think the book would better suit an established Miller fan who's read some of Miller's books and knows something about his life, rather than a beginner who is seeking an introduction to the writer's life and thought.
Miller has long had a reputation as a writer of sex and smut, but to be honest, that's not what I like about him. Indeed, the sexual material in his books bores me. But if you're willing to stick with him, to lash yourself to the mast and ride out the sometimes bewildering storms of his many digressions, you'll find great wisdom in his work. By the final decades of his life he had become a sage, a very centered, self-actualized old man who understood how to live, how to appreciate life, and how to be a good friend.
First, it's a coffee table book, printed on heavy, creamy paper, and lavishly illustrated with silvery black-and-white photographs of Miller, his family, friends, and haunts, his manuscripts, and his book outlines, as well as color photographs of his lovely paintings.
Second, it doesn't follow the usual format for an autobiography. True, there's a detailed chronology of the major and minor events of Miller's life printed on the end-papers, but the main body of the text is taken from the transcripts of interviews with Miller conducted by the book's principal photographer and designer, and it loosely covers seven chapters ("Now," "Writing," "Big Sur," Painting," "Paris," "Paris Revisited," and "Childhood"). As such, the style of the text is breezy and conversational, with lots of practical wisdom tucked in here and there.
All that said, I think the book would better suit an established Miller fan who's read some of Miller's books and knows something about his life, rather than a beginner who is seeking an introduction to the writer's life and thought.
Miller has long had a reputation as a writer of sex and smut, but to be honest, that's not what I like about him. Indeed, the sexual material in his books bores me. But if you're willing to stick with him, to lash yourself to the mast and ride out the sometimes bewildering storms of his many digressions, you'll find great wisdom in his work. By the final decades of his life he had become a sage, a very centered, self-actualized old man who understood how to live, how to appreciate life, and how to be a good friend.
October 22, 2017
هنري ميللر، يروي. عنوان الكتاب يمثل تمامًا ما يمكن أن يجده القارئ بداخله. يتضمن الكتاب خلاصة حوارات أقامها برادلي سميث مع ميللر خلال ثمانية عشر شهرًا، بالإضافة إلى بعض الأجزاء من الوثائقي الخاص بحياة هنري ميللر "أوديسة هنري ميللر". وقد قام برادلي سميث بجعل هذا الكتاب أكثر إمتاعًا عبر تقسيمه حسب مواضيع معينة في ٦ فصول. "الآن- الكتابة- بيغ سور- الرسم- باريس- الطفولة".
على الرغم من أن قصة حياة ميللر متواجدة في كتبه، حسب قوله. إلا أنه من الممتع جدًا أن تقرأ هنري ميللر، متحدثًا عن نفسه دونما إضافاتٍ أدبية.
على الرغم من أن قصة حياة ميللر متواجدة في كتبه، حسب قوله. إلا أنه من الممتع جدًا أن تقرأ هنري ميللر، متحدثًا عن نفسه دونما إضافاتٍ أدبية.
March 21, 2013
Hard to describe this one. It's an illustrated autobiography based on a series of conversations and interviews with Henry Miller around his 80th birthday. It's also part scrapbook with edited manuscript pages from Tropic of Cancer, scribblings and hand written notes and lists, commentary on Miller's paintings, and anecdotes about friends, wives, and lovers. Starts in the present (of 1970) and ends with his childhood. The chapter on "Writing" is the best-- opinionated and insightful and very funny in spots.
September 5, 2020
Fascinating! One of my most coveted books. My edition is a beautiful bright blue linen with gilt print in a dust jacket by Playboy Press. I love this book! Wonderful illustrations in color and black and white from 1891 to 1948. He tells all... with many remarks from friends and family and hundreds of photos!
October 27, 2012
enjoyable monologue by wacky artist, writer and lover of snooker and blondes or asians
April 20, 2026
I can’t know what is absolute truth, but the writing feels deeply raw and honest. No embellishment, no performance, just clarity and presence. The photos, handwritten notes, and creative additions give the book a powerful sense of authenticity. A beautiful portrayal of reflection and (inner) life.
January 12, 2019
sits on my coffee table and always will. next best thing to visiting miller’s cabin in big sur, and i’ve visited miller’s cabin in big sur.
October 2, 2023
Surprised to have come across this coffee table sized book - enjoyable autobiographical read
February 10, 2024
My love for Henry Miller is as shameless as he was in his personhood.
Did Not Finish
June 1, 2022لن أكمله.. بل سأحرّقه.
في مقدمة كلام الكاتب عن حياته كلام سيء قبيح عن الله عز وجل وغرور وتكبر عن عبادته.. لا أدري لم يغش معظم القراء المسلمون ولا يذكرون هذا لإخوانهم على سبيل النصيحة والفائدة.. أهان عليكم ربكم أمام لذة الأدب والقراءة إلى هذا الحد ؟ لا بارك الله في قراءة من لا يبالي بالإشارة للكفر والزندقة.. وليس الكلام هنا عن كتب الكفار وآدابهم عامة، وإنما عن الكتب التي فيها سب للإله وإساءة للأدب مع جلاله وحاشاه.. حتى لو كانت كتب عرب.
في مقدمة كلام الكاتب عن حياته كلام سيء قبيح عن الله عز وجل وغرور وتكبر عن عبادته.. لا أدري لم يغش معظم القراء المسلمون ولا يذكرون هذا لإخوانهم على سبيل النصيحة والفائدة.. أهان عليكم ربكم أمام لذة الأدب والقراءة إلى هذا الحد ؟ لا بارك الله في قراءة من لا يبالي بالإشارة للكفر والزندقة.. وليس الكلام هنا عن كتب الكفار وآدابهم عامة، وإنما عن الكتب التي فيها سب للإله وإساءة للأدب مع جلاله وحاشاه.. حتى لو كانت كتب عرب.
August 4, 2024
AN ABRIDGED VERSION OF MILLER'S OWN STORY
This 1973 publication was abridged from the original edition of 'My Life and Times.' Bradley Smith notes in the Preface, "This account of Miller's life was talked out word for word over many a gin and tonic... Our talks, which were prologues to the hours spent in the conversations that were put on tape, were invariably interrupted... When I first suggested an autobiography to Miller, he said, 'But I just finished making a motion picture of my life...' When I objected, saying that a book was not a film and that I hoped to have him retell the story of his life, he reluctantly agreed... our conversations were like continuous explorations into the reality of the past." (Pg. 4-6)
Miller says, "Actually, you don't have a choice. We THINK we have choices, but your temperament, your character and your previous mode of living---everything that you have done in your life---dictate what you will do, whether you like it or not." (Pg. 11) He explains, "I am a man who's constantly falling in love. People say I am an incurable romantic. Perhaps I am. In any case, I'm grateful to the powers that be that I am that way. It's brought me sorrow and joy. I wouldn't want it any other way. People work better, create better, when they are in love." (Pg. 17)
He suggests, "I don't think what is called the work of the world, this everyday work that is glorified, is really so important. It would be much much better if people were told to be lazy, shirk their jobs, be idlers, enjoy, relax, not care, not worry. I think we'd get all that work done some other way." (Pg. 21) He says, "I am a film addict and a book addict, too, but they are not equal in effect. The film satisfies something in me which books don't... [but] a film doesn't stay with you as a book does. A book is real meat and substance... A film, if it's a good one, is something which gives you a few wonderful moments and then fades away." (Pg. 28)
He admits, "I struggled in the beginning. I said I was going to write the truth, so help me God... I found I couldn't. Nobody can write the absolute truth. It's impossible. Your ego won't permit it. I think the truth is something that slides through your fingers... I think we live lies. All of us. We never live face to face with the reality about ourselves." (Pg. 42) He later adds, "No man is as full of chaos as I am. People think I am an orderly man. My house is orderly, and my work table is orderly. But inside I'm a raging chaos. I don't think I could be creative if I weren't so chaotic." (Pg. 90)
He observes, "It's a hard thing for some people to understand, how one can enjoy life when living at the bottom of the pile. Yet I think that that is the most important thing that ever happened to me, to be without anything, no crutch of any kind, cut off completely from all help. You have to FIND it every day, this help; you have to learn to live from day to day. Sure, you suffer and you're miserable, but it's so interesting and so fascinating that you become thoroughly alive." (Pg. 104)
Real "fans" of Miller will want to read the complete work, rather than just this abridgement; but this shorter work is interesting in its own right, and provides insights into the man and the writer.
This 1973 publication was abridged from the original edition of 'My Life and Times.' Bradley Smith notes in the Preface, "This account of Miller's life was talked out word for word over many a gin and tonic... Our talks, which were prologues to the hours spent in the conversations that were put on tape, were invariably interrupted... When I first suggested an autobiography to Miller, he said, 'But I just finished making a motion picture of my life...' When I objected, saying that a book was not a film and that I hoped to have him retell the story of his life, he reluctantly agreed... our conversations were like continuous explorations into the reality of the past." (Pg. 4-6)
Miller says, "Actually, you don't have a choice. We THINK we have choices, but your temperament, your character and your previous mode of living---everything that you have done in your life---dictate what you will do, whether you like it or not." (Pg. 11) He explains, "I am a man who's constantly falling in love. People say I am an incurable romantic. Perhaps I am. In any case, I'm grateful to the powers that be that I am that way. It's brought me sorrow and joy. I wouldn't want it any other way. People work better, create better, when they are in love." (Pg. 17)
He suggests, "I don't think what is called the work of the world, this everyday work that is glorified, is really so important. It would be much much better if people were told to be lazy, shirk their jobs, be idlers, enjoy, relax, not care, not worry. I think we'd get all that work done some other way." (Pg. 21) He says, "I am a film addict and a book addict, too, but they are not equal in effect. The film satisfies something in me which books don't... [but] a film doesn't stay with you as a book does. A book is real meat and substance... A film, if it's a good one, is something which gives you a few wonderful moments and then fades away." (Pg. 28)
He admits, "I struggled in the beginning. I said I was going to write the truth, so help me God... I found I couldn't. Nobody can write the absolute truth. It's impossible. Your ego won't permit it. I think the truth is something that slides through your fingers... I think we live lies. All of us. We never live face to face with the reality about ourselves." (Pg. 42) He later adds, "No man is as full of chaos as I am. People think I am an orderly man. My house is orderly, and my work table is orderly. But inside I'm a raging chaos. I don't think I could be creative if I weren't so chaotic." (Pg. 90)
He observes, "It's a hard thing for some people to understand, how one can enjoy life when living at the bottom of the pile. Yet I think that that is the most important thing that ever happened to me, to be without anything, no crutch of any kind, cut off completely from all help. You have to FIND it every day, this help; you have to learn to live from day to day. Sure, you suffer and you're miserable, but it's so interesting and so fascinating that you become thoroughly alive." (Pg. 104)
Real "fans" of Miller will want to read the complete work, rather than just this abridgement; but this shorter work is interesting in its own right, and provides insights into the man and the writer.
April 25, 2008
For Miller fans, this book is almost TOO fun. Note the (illustrated) story about how hanging around with hot nude women sixty years his junior has helped improve Henry Miller's pool game.
March 26, 2017
جداً أحببت صراحته في السرد والتعبير عن نفسه وآراءه وأفكاره مهما كانت مجنونة بكل وضوح وثقة.
ولكن حتى مع توفير التاريخ الزمني للسيرة خر الكتاب، ما زلت أجد صعوبة في ربط الأحداث والشخصيات حيث أن الأزمنة في السرد تتداخل بشكل مُشتت.
ولكن حتى مع توفير التاريخ الزمني للسيرة خر الكتاب، ما زلت أجد صعوبة في ربط الأحداث والشخصيات حيث أن الأزمنة في السرد تتداخل بشكل مُشتت.
September 25, 2017
MY 200# BOOK IN LIFE
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews