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  • It's So Easy

  • And Other Lies
  • Written by: Duff McKagan
  • Narrated by: Christian Rummel
  • Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (105 ratings)

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It's So Easy

Written by: Duff McKagan
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
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Publisher's Summary

In his New York Times best seller, Duff McKagan, founding member of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, shares the story of his rise to fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his life-saving transformation via a unique path to sobriety.

In 1984, at the age of 20, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle - partly to pursue music, but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then-decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In LA only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as "Slash." Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns N' Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide. In It's So Easy, Duff recounts Guns' unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it did - ultimately - on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As Guns began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that sent him on a unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since. In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duff - one of rock's smartest and most articulate personalities - takes fans on a harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock and roll history and out the other side.

©2011 Duff McKagan (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about It's So Easy

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Absolutely loved it!

Absolutely loved it. Duffs story is intense and narrator choice was spot on. A great listen!!

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1 person found this helpful

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it's a good day to die

great book, enjoyed listening to over long drives, crazy stories real life struggles. would recommend

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Love a Comeback story

Incredible stories, rock debauchery, just pure insanity. Getting your life together with exercise, trade one addiction for another. Duff, one of the coolest dudes around.

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Great story

Great narrator not knowing much about Duff, this story brought you up to speed quickly

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What a crazy unbelievable story!

This gives new meaning to “it’s a Long Way to the top when you wanna rock ‘n’ roll”!
So good!

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Outstanding

I used an Audible credit on this book because I’m a GNR fan
But this book is far more than some fan piece
It’s the story of rise and fall and recovery
Amazing
Highly recommend

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Honest!

Duff McKagan is a full honest guy. He spoke truthfully about addictions of himself and others in bands. Redemption in the end and he loves life and of course his family.

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Excellent book!

Excellent book, great insight into Duff’s life. One of my favorite bass players. Good choice of narrator.

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  • Katrina Hamilton
  • 2016-10-16

This book just may save a life.

Duff, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This read just brought my hope back. Boxing, Biking, Climbing. (meditation), which I'm familiar with....
My son and I used to practice Buddhism. I now know your aware of its teachings.
Buddhism sees life as a process of constant change,. I believe that one can change for the better.
My son is an addict. Heroin.
You just gave me a great idea for my son's recovery.
Duff, you're the real deal. Thankyou so so much!!!

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27 people found this helpful

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  • NicbachDVM
  • 2016-09-09

A very inspiring memoir from a rockstar

I have long been a fan of GNR. Duff has recently intrigued me with his financial business and interviews. He's a very intelligent individual, and this memoir has inspired me in ways I never thought possible.

The life he has lived is uncanny. It's literally unbelievable he is still alive, with how much drinking and drugs he used to do. The transformation he has made is unbelievable.

He goes into great detail about his early years in Seattle working in various punk bands, to becoming one of rock's biggest stars in GNR. He talks about the drugs, the drinking, and the women. He gives detailed information about why GNR broke up (complete lack of communication and egos), and how much he gave up of himself to drinking and drugs.

Now many years sober, he looks back on his mistakes and how he's turned his life around. Though I've never been addicted to anything in my life, it's truly inspiring to hear a firsthand account of how to beat addiction. Duff kicks his butt every single day, and is extremely motivated never to go down that path again.

This isn't a book just for GNR fans. I highly recommend it to anyone suffering from addiction as well. Duff never went through traditional 12 step programs, but found his solace through martial arts, yoga and meditation. It's very inspiring how he's transformed his life. I can't wait to get his new book now!

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23 people found this helpful

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  • marie popick
  • 2016-10-14

Pleasantly surprised,not just a rocker story!

I listened to GNR music, but would not call myself a super fan. I saw an interview with Duff a few years back and thought the book might be interesting. Being my first 'life of a rocker' book, I did not have high expectations. Wow, I was wrong, it is a well written journey of his life, choices, mistakes... He should be extremely proud of his accomplishments in life! Nice job Duff.

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14 people found this helpful

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  • Jr
  • 2017-02-22

Great book!

Fantastically well-written book. I only wish it was read by the author. The narrator sounds strained and un spontaneous which makes the book and some of the stories lose the feel the author intended. it's a great story of a man who's much more relatable than his rock star status would lead to believe.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2017-03-13

Great Read!

This book was so much more than I thought it would be. Thanks for sharing your life and the honesty. Thanks to your wife also for sharing you with all us fans.

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  • Steve Hurry
  • 2017-01-20

Just the high level

This book contains a lot of personal info about Duff's personal journey but I was hoping for more stories about the crazy stuff that went on during the early GnR years. He admirably took the high road in not calling out or embarrassing anyone else in particular, but you know some crazy stuff went on and I would have liked to hear more of it.

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  • Richard
  • 2017-01-18

Down to earth

Great book, it takes the listener on a journey from strung out to health guru.
All the usual stories of trashing hotel rooms to groupies but done with class. Duff showed respect to everyone from managers to fans. Nice to see his love for family, education and nature not to mention music. Great read it won't let you down.

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  • Wild Bill
  • 2016-12-18

An amazing story!!!

I started reading, well... listening to musician biographies last week with Sabastian Bach's new book 18 & Life on Skid Row. My recent discovery of the Audible app has helped me fill the sometimes long void while driving from job to job all day for work. Being a product of the 80's I have always had much love and admiration for the bands of the era. I find the story of Duff's life amazing. Good times , bad times and experiences not unlike those of my friends and myself back then. Though on a much larger scale. I put this book away with an even greater respect and admiration for Duff McKagan. The story of his life gripped me from chapter one all the way to the end. He made it out the other side of a dark place where most people don't make it out alive. Congratulations on life Duff and thank you for all the great music. Rock On!!!

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  • Lindsay
  • 2017-04-06

Rock and Roll and OK

Would you try another book from Duff McKagan and/or Christian Rummel?

I probably wouldn't try another book by Duff McKagan, and I wouldn't not consider a book because Christian Rummel narrated it. Christian Rummel was a decent narrator. It took a little time to get used to the gravel tones in his voice.

Would you be willing to try another book from Duff McKagan? Why or why not?

Duff's story was interesting enough, but beyond this book, I don't find myself particularly curious about his life or writings.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I guess so. I don't have any problems with the narration, once I got used to the voice.

Do you think It's So Easy needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really, since this book seems to cover the entity of Duff's career thus far. Maybe in 20 years it would be neat to see where his life has gone since this book.

Any additional comments?

Ok read, worth the daily deal, but not sure it was worth the credit. I'm not a Guns and Roses fan, so I bought this book more so just to see what his rock star life was like, not because I love the band.

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  • Mark
  • 2017-01-09

loved the book. great stories and well written.

Great stories of how Guns and Roses began and to hear about Duff's journey. Amazing to hear about his life lessons.

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  • Joshua
  • 2022-03-25

Fun Book!

If you like rock 'n roll and a good story, stop!
This is it! It's not a perfect detailled history of Guns 'n Roses but it's a nice way from Punk to business man,
This first book of Duff takes you from the start to 2010 era and you get an idea of what he went thru and how he got where he is.

Just like the other bio's there are some claims that they all like to take on them and get credits or have contradictions on each other, and for example in this book the love for his bandmate Matt Sorum is not too big if it was written a year earlyer, it would have been. So, 100% rock 'n roll !

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