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List Price: $21.95 | | Publisher: Bartleby Press
Salesrank: 39735
Released: February 22, 2007 |
| Our Price: $12.00 |
| Used Price: $15.29 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
With over ten million albums sold and multiple Grammy nominations, the hard rock band Godsmack has become one of the most successful groups of the last decade. The band's driving beats and searing lyrics have garnered widespread acclaim, while their well-known work ethic has earned the industry's respect. Fans who attend Godsmack concerts are sure to be rewarded with a fiercely energetic show. The force behind the band comes largely from founder and front man Sully Erna. Onstage, growling into the microphone with characteristic intensity, he appears perfectly at home, and it's no wonder. Erna has been immersed in the world of rock ever since he got his first drum set at the age of five. Given his achievements, that early start might suggest that his career was a straight shot to the top. The truth is, Erna took so many detours during the years between his first drums and Godsmack's first contract that, more than once, he nearly forgot his destination. In The Paths We Choose, he relates the turbulent story of his life before the platinum albums and packed arenas. "The Lawrence I remember was full of murderers, thieves, and rapists and half the time those people were your next-door neighbors," Erna writes of his childhood hometown in the gritty Boston suburbs. Although the danger of the streets was a constant reality, young Sully's world really revolved around music. From the day he convinced his mom to pay for drum lessons, "beating the skins" was all he ever wanted to do. As he grew older, Erna began devoting all his energy to one band after another. Life as a marginally-successful (and sometimes downright unsuccessful) musician was always unpredictable, and Sully's good times were equally matched by his frustrations. He learned that talent and passion were not enough; he also had to know who to trust. Beautiful blondes attracted Erna like a moth to an open flame, and his affairs with them were intense and often unstable. Outwardly hardened, yet privately vulnerable, he couldn't open up. This, combined with his high-adrenaline lifestyle, seemed bound to catch up with him and did. Here, Sully delves with surprising sensitivity into the emotional struggles that almost forced him to abandon his ambitions. Musical fame was never a given for Sully Erna. He could easily have continued to be "just another punk on the streets." The extraordinary success he now enjoys with Godsmack only came by an unlikely combination of talent, sweat, lucky breaks, and hard falls. Any one of the decisions he made along the way could have brought him to a dead end. But that just might be the whole point. Sully's story shows us that whatever hardship we may face, ultimately, our choices determine our destiny. He's made the most of every advantage and obstacle he has faced, and reminds us that we can, too. But for Sully, career success is not an ultimate destination. Every day brings a new fork in the road another path to choose.
The Paths We Choose Reviews:
One Of Amazon's Biggest Sellers Got The Ball Rollin' For Godsmack! 
2008-08-25 - One of the most interesting facts stated in this book is that Newbury Comics in Boston,Mass.starting selling Godsmack's first CD's ever printed.
Newbury Comics is a chain of stores like Hot Topixx. They are one of Amazon's biggest and most popular sellers.But more importantly Sully gets down to the roots of who he is and all the torture he went through to be a million-dollar rockstar.If anyone thinks that his level of success is easy,then just flip through a few chapters.At one point Erna quit music altogether and had a job as a collection agent. He pulled odd jobs and had very interesting,funny and borderline psychotic relations with the ladies.Sully reveals that he could have choked to death from doing too much coke and the period of his life where he suffered with anxiety attacks.And some chapters play out like screwball buddy movies.The whole cocky hardened rocker image fades away and you find out that this dude is as fragile as the rest of us.He says there is nothing wrong with showing weakness and emotion and that you need to release those feelings or they could kill you.This is where the music and songwriting comes into play.Sully is a machine and he has mastered every aspect of a hard rock band.Everything from writing,guitar progressions and drum arrangements.You will never find a more greatful person like Erna or his band Godsmack.But in the end he states that hard work is the price of fame.Life is full of disappointments but what you survive will make you a stronger and better person. If you have a dream of being a rockstar you should follow it. You will be surprised what paths it will take you on!
The Paths We Choose
2008-06-17 - The Paths We Choose This book is raw and inspirational. Sully tells his story in an "in your face way" as he brings you along with him on his ride to superstardom. A must read for aspiring musicians and Godsmack fans.
Very intense reading
2008-06-02 - Very intense reading. The book makes you want to meet Sully Erna in person. He seems to be a very fascinating figure! Also, the book can be very inspirational. It appeals to any person, in my opinion.
A great memoir from Sully
2008-04-02 - I really enjoyed this book. I usually don't read any non-fiction, much less memoir or autobiographies. But Godsmack is one of my favorite bands, I wanted to read this book. Sully takes you through all the ups and downs of his life from early childhood to the early days of Godsmack. I never knew what Sully went thru as a child growing up in Lawrence, Mass. But those events defintily shaped as he grew up into a wil, drug-using rocker. His personal conflicts spilled over to his music, both in good and bad ways. And all of this combined led to Godsmack.
A must-read for any G-smack fan, but also an interesting read for anyone trying to understand the thigns that happen to you happen for a reason, and shape you for the future.
Book is great! Delivery SUCKS!
2008-03-29 - I know being at an APO, you can't guarantee a timely delivery, but i ordered 4 items at the same time and this was the last to get here, even though it was first shipped. It took 6 weeks to receive this book, i got everything else from my order in 2 weeks or less. To be honest with you, i completely forgot i ordered the book because i gave up and was planning on writing amazon asking where it was at. I have ordered many things from amazon and for the most part they get here very quickly. This is the second time that i had to question why i hadn't received my purchase.
