It came in better condition than I expected(which was excellent). Very quick shipping as well.

...and thusly I wasn't disappointed. My father lent me his copy, and I noticed once I began that there was a book marker in the second to last chapter, making me wonder if he was able to get through the book.

I already had a pretty good idea that Eric Clapton is/was/has been a sorry human being. Yes that is very harsh, and I understand that he came from a dysfunctional family, as the book makes clear. I have enjoyed most of his music over the years, and I do credit him with making an attempt to help other people battle the demons he has. That said, I am so very grateful not to have had him as my father, and I would probably not recommend him for anyone seeking treatment for chemical dependency. Let the professionals handle that.

Like others, I also noticed the glaring absence of elaboration in the deaths of George Harrison. I don't know if they had a falling out that just isn't mentioned, or if George didn't want to be disturbed during his last months, but it seems that it should have been discussed, since Eric had no problem exposing a lot of very personal details about Patti and many others. And I don't mean to be judgmental, but I laughed out loud when he flippantly mentioned how his relationship with his new wife--so many years into sobriety--developed. But hey, his heroes all got around, used and threw away women, gave them children they didn't want, and his own father (and mother) were absent from his life. He had lousy role models, and many celebrities seem to live by a different set of rules. At least he has stated that he really wants to end the cycle of broken homes.

Still, I'm highly skeptical that the jet-setter he's become is conducive to being a decent part-time dad to two different families, even if his touring schedule slows down. He doesn't seem happy to stay anywhere...England is too dark and cold for him, but California and the Carribean only seem to provide temporary respite until he becomes homesick for England again.

Don't get me wrong, I do have a healthy respect for the guy. It does take a lot of courage for someone who spent most of his life as a spoiled brat to tell anyone who'll listen what a flawed person he's been. I'll let slide most of the positive things he has to say about himself (which I do agree often come off as boasting) since I don't think anyone's going to be interested in 300+ pages of pure self-pity.

I won't say it's a waste of time to read. It is interesting to get his perspective on a lot of things, such as the music business, the places he's traveled, people he's interacted with, and the time period in which he's lived. Just don't expect to find a whole lot of reconciliation. He does seem to have come more to terms with himself, with his wealth and fame and responsibilities, but it seems like he's still let a lot of personal relationships sour. He's come a long way and it seems like he's on the right road, but he's still got a lot of growing up to do, in my opinion.

...and thusly I wasn't disappointed. My father lent me his copy, and I noticed once I began that there was a book marker in the second to last chapter, making me wonder if he was able to finish the book himself.

I already had a pretty good idea that Eric Clapton is/was/has been a sorry human being. Yes that is very harsh, and I understand that he came from a dysfunctional family, as the book makes clear. I have enjoyed most of his music over the years, and I do credit him with making an attempt to help other people battle the demons he has. That said, I am so very grateful not to have had him as my father, and I would probably not recommend him for anyone seeking treatment for chemical dependency. Let the professionals handle that.

Like others, I also noticed the glaring absence of elaboration in the deaths of George Harrison. I don't know if they had a falling out that just isn't mentioned, or if George didn't want to be disturbed during his last months, but it seems that it should have been discussed, since Eric had no problem exposing a lot of very personal details about Patti and many others. And I don't mean to be judgmental, but I laughed out loud when he flippantly mentioned how his relationship with his new wife--so many years into sobriety--developed. But hey, his heroes all got around, used and threw away women, gave them children they didn't want, and his own father (and mother) were absent from his life. He had lousy role models, and many celebrities seem to live by a different set of rules. At least he has stated that he really wants to end the cycle of broken homes.

Still, I'm highly skeptical that the jet-setter he's become is conducive to being a part-time dad to two different families, even if his touring schedule slows down. He doesn't seem happy to stay anywhere...England is too dark and cold for him, but California and the Carribean only seem to provide temporary respite until he becomes homesick for England again.

Don't get me wrong, I do have a healthy respect for the guy. It does take a lot of courage for someone who spent most of his life as a spoiled brat to tell anyone who'll listen what a flawed person he's been. I'll let slide most of the positive things he has to say about himself (which I do agree often come off as boasting) since I don't think anyone's going to be interested in 300+ pages of pure self-pity.

I won't say it's a waste of time to read. It is interesting to get his perspective on a lot of things, such as the music business, the places he's traveled, people he's interacted with, and the time period in which he's lived. Just don't expect to find a whole lot of reconciliation. He's come a long way and it seems like he's on the right road, but he's still got a lot of growing up to do, in my opinion.

an excellent book. i wish it was longer.but the 60's and early 70's were a blur for him.

Have been an Eric Clapton music and live performance fan all my life. But the book is disappointing. It has no insights. It is a rambling description of a life spent in a haze. I would stick with the music and forget about his personal life, which should have remained private if there were no take aways from it.

He does come through as very honest.

I've read tons of rock biographies over the years. One way that I've learned to judge them is whether I'm interested in exploring their music catalog when I'm done or while I'm still reading. I've never been a big Clapton fan, but was given this book as a gift, and was very interested in reading it based on his extensive career and what I already knew about his life. I found the early chapters about his childhood, getting started with the guitar, and getting into his first bands to be the most interesting. I was disappointed by how little was written about the music itself. There was hardly any focus on songwriting, inspiration, album recording, etc... which left little interest in actually going out and buying any C.D.s and exploring his catalog. It's also very hard to really like a book when you don't really care for the personality of the main character. Clapton comes off to me as a self-centered egomaniac, who left many casualties in his wake. There was a lot of name checking of people that wanted to work with him due to his incredible talent. Another constant thread in the book was his insatiable desire to build up, conquer, and then tear down every relationship, be it band or human, that he ever had, due to either ego, drugs, or alcohol. The list goes on and on--Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominos, Blind Faith, George Harrison's wife (while posing as George's good buddy), and various other relationships and band situations, which makes him very difficult to like.

I listened to the abridged version on disc. Very well done...personal, frank and sincere. It was a nice touch that the reader was a fellow bloke. It made me feel like Mr. Clapton was the reader. As a musician, I would have enjoyed more information on how Eric got to be so good. All in all, a great story of a real legend.

I raced through this book even though I'm not particularly a Clapton fan. This is a general reader's perspective, not that of a musician or recovering addict, so other reviewers' criticisms of the book on those scores would not have occurred to me. Clapton has lived a big life, spending over 40 years in the eye of the popular music storm, experiencing highs ("Clapton is God" on the London underground walls when barely out of his teens) and lows (the death of his child) that most of us could hardly imagine. As one would expect, he has many interesting tales to tell about his own life, his influences and his contemporaries. Of course the big ego and self-absorption are on display. Most of us probably don't need or want to read about his collection of "Philippe Patek timepieces." Few, however, rise to his heights of fame without blinding ambition and egocentricity. At least Clapton has passion for his art and a grand talent, unlike say Madonna, who as a Letter to the Editor of Vanity Fair once said, "has taken a teensy talent a long way, like stretching a Chiclet to the moon." Unlike many autobiographers, he does not use his book to settle old scores, justify himself, or paint a rosy picture of himself for posterity. Instead, he gives us honest accounts of bad behavior, including drug addiction, stabbing friends in the back, and using women like Kleenex. He also shares the excitement of making brilliant music and the peace of addiction recovery and family life. You may not like Clapton after reading this book (which I think is entirely to his credit), but it's difficult not to emerge with a measure of respect for his relative honesty and his attempts to journey from over-indulged, self-indulgent megastar to something resembling a responsible, mature human being.

Eric Clapton is deemed one of the best guitarists/musicians of the twenty-first century. Yet, his autobiography, Clapton: The Autobiography, does not parallel his artistic ingenuity. The book is mediocre in writing; whether done purposefully or due to an inability to "paint a picture," the book gives very little information about Clapton's beginnings. This unbalanced portrayal of the musician's life leaves the reader wondering: What inspired Clapton to become a musician? How did Clapton emulate the sounds of recordings when he never had former music lessons as a child? How did he begin his career as a composer (i.e., what inspired him? How did he begin composing?)? These questions, in my opinion, would have allowed the reader to see how the personal and artistic facets of Clapton relate to one another.

Clapton's discussion of his drug and alcohol addiction is, in one way or another, the foundation for most of the book. The examination of how alcohol and drugs paradoxically "took him to fame," as well as how it destroyed his life can be viewed as controversial and/or interesting. Ironically, I believe that the only reason why this book may grab the average-reader's attention is because of the unfortunate incidents Clapton had with his mother, love, and son: the revealing of whom were Clapton's real parents, his love-affair with Patty Boyd and the superficiality that surrounded it even after they got married, and the death of his son Connor.

The last chapters of this book as solely devoted to examining of Clapton the married/family man. While I enjoyed learning about the musician's (new) views on parenthood, family, and responsibility, I felt that the author rambled all throughout these pages. In other words, Clapton sharing of his love for his children, the trips he shared with them, and their joys, appeared to me to be something of an annexation to the book rather than an essential part of the structure. As a consequence, these chapters can be seen as page-fillers rather than honest and informative acts about the musician's post-alcohol/drugs life.

If you are hoping to learn about Clapton the person, and how his thoughts and emotions are portrayed in his music, this book will give you very little -if any- information. This is a shame since Clapton is idolized by thousands of people throughout the world, and every one of these individuals would like to be able to relate to their idol as a person and an artist.

Clapton's writing couldn't possibly be as nimble as his playing, but we get a good first-person account of his ascendency towards guitarist deity, and, especially, the impact of his longtime Archilles heel--the consumption of drugs and alcohol in staggering amounts. As he often points out, he's very fortunate that he's still alive. Although his periods of recovery get too much air here, there are some revealing insights. Flaws and all, what's perhaps best about the book is the voice of authenticity; it doesn't have that annoying "As-told-to" quality, nor is it so polished that the "autobiography" seems like a lie.

I think it's fair to say that Clapton is basically honest about those things he wishes to open, but that he doesn't always open up everything. Given what must be some very painful emotions, I'm ok that he doesn't do a "tell-all." It's more like a "tell-most," with the subjectivity that necessarily underlies all autobiographies. Investigative types, or those who feel Clapton has been unfair to others here, can read other books to get a fuller picture--Patty Boyd's own autobiography would be a good starting point.

As a fan of British rock and amateur (very) musicologist, my largest compaint is that Mr. Clapton doesn;t devote enough time to his "late" early years, especially those in the period between (and including) "The Yardbirds" and "Blind Faith." Clapton chronicles his youth and early beginning in clubs with fascinating detail; we learn about his early influences, pre-bigtime life on the road, and his encounters with other newbies who would soon become famous in their own right. Unfortunately, he leaves out this kind of detail once the Yardbirds section begins.

The last third or so of the book covers more of the solo years, his personal life, and his battles (and eventual victory) with addiction. It's a mixed bag: He thanks so many people obscure to those outside the industry that it begins to read like a "Christmas letter" to is closest friends; however, those outside that circle may get lost in the details. I also agree with others who felt the quality and quantity of the photos could have been better. On the other hand, Clapton--perhaps the most blues-oriented of the major rock guitarists, leaves us with a very classy and heartfelt tribute to the electric blues pioneers who inspired him. Deeply personal at times, and somewhat--perhaps understandably--evasive elsewhere, this is a well-written, thoughtful book that any rock fan (especially British rock, and what is lauhingly referred to today as "classic rock") will enjoy. This isn't the definitive book on those areas, but it is, by default, the definitive autobiography. Thanks, Eric.

Well written and interesting autobiography. If you like Clapton or have an interest in music, I recommend it.

Eric Clapton, for sure, is entitled to be declared as the best marketing man in Rock history:- for 36 years (since Layla days) that he didn't deliver or contributed anything to the Rock world and especially in the guitar playing world and still, he sells everything and is still considered to be one of the best guitar players of all time. For a guy that plays the same guitar solo all this time, he should have something- and this something is his remarkable marketing skills.
Don't get me wrong, EC is a gifted song writer but, there are more than few song writers that can be compared and achieved much more then EC.
The book itself reminds me of EC show I saw a week ago in Zurich (August 20)- weak, dull, shallow repeats to death old material, puts other guitar players aside to, so called, "stronger" him and at the end of the day, a British snob who came to do the work in order to get your money, nothing else.
Let me give you some examples: although you can hear till today the direct influence of Duanne Allman on EC guitar playing, in the book you will find no more than a couple of pages which relates to him- some nice words and that's it. Although the Cream was his pike of his career, EC is very cheap in words as to the greatness of the experience at that time.
On the other hand, we have a lot of pages which deal with his struggle with all kinds of addictions and self pity (a lot of, I must say).
Looking very carefully into his career, I must say that no one will convince me that EC should be regarded as one of the best guitar players ever lived- how can you compare him to the real great ones?? How can you explain the freeze and the lack of progress in his guitar playing since Layla days?? How can you explain the fact that EC plays some 60% of his live shows, blues standards that the effort in playing them equals to zero and most amateurs are playing them in their first guitar lesson?? One explanation- a dull personality that has amazing marketing abilities. Sorry folks.

I'm reading various negative reviews of this book, and I cannot believe that people are calling Eric Clapton arrogant in his writing. This book had its flaws, but Clapton's supposed "name dropping" and "arrogance" does not exist, at least not in this book.

I'll say first that I love Eric Clapton's music. He's the reason I'm playing my guitar, and he's taught me a lot about music. I'm only 24, though, and the only image I've ever had of Clapton is his current old man image. It's not much of an image, so I've always just focused on his guitar playing and music making. And because the guitar playing is one-of-a-kind amazing, I've managed to put Clapton up on this pedestal, and I didn't mind. To me, he deserved it.

The book erased that godly image of Clapton I had. As soon as he started getting into details about his life instead of his music, that image was erased from my mind. He did tons of drugs and drinking, had a bunch of issues with sex and women, which probably led to his crazy first marriage. I couldn't believe that the actual Eric Clapton was letting this stuff out! He's always been extremely shy, and you can tell in this book. The way he writes about his experiences are detailed, but at the same time so abstract. For example, when he starts to talk about his son's death, or his daughter that he didn't raise, you wonder some things, because he just doesn't talk about how those things made him feel.

I also could've gone with more guitar details. He talks about what his first guitar was, how much it cost, where his parents bought it for him and how he learned to play it, but he just doesn't talk about how playing it made him feel, and how he felt owning it for the first time (funny, because he's got the blues, and blues players are all about the feel. He just lets it out in his guitar playing, I guess.)

I honestly don't know where people get the "arrogant" criticisms from, though. He actually downplays his skills and does not reflect with happiness when he thinks about all the people he screwed up. Maybe the arrogance criticism comes from the fact that he only focuses on his side of the story. But how can he tell someone else's story? Either way, he reflects with remorse, and a little bit of shame as well. And calling Clapton a name dropper is an oxymoron. He was part of a music movement and an innovator, not a hanger-on. If anything, people were name dropping him.

Don't criticize the book because it only has a few black and white pictures. Clapton has always been very private, and him writing this book (all by himself, by the way, which explains why the writing is jumpy and brief at times) was enough insight into his life. And did a reviewer here actually think it was wrong that he married a younger woman and bought a boat? Why does that even matter?

And I'm biased here, but I found the story admirable and kind of sad at the end. Unlike a lot of his peers, he lived to tell his story. It broke my heart when he said the only thing he dislikes about getting old is that he won't see his young daughters when they're grown. In the end, he's a man who got down on his knees and admitted every single thing he did wrong. You can't turn back time and take everything back, but you can learn from your mistakes. And I think that's what Clapton did, and in this book he tries to tell the reader.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Clapton gives a no holds barred account of his life, his failings and his successes. The portion about his son's death is very sad and disturbing. What's even sadder is how Clapton, a serious alcoholic at the time, admits he didn't devote the kind of attention to his young son that he should have.

I'm not sure what the negative reviews screaming "arrogance!" here are all about. The man in question is extremely talented as well as opinionated. He also repeatedly acknowledges he is a deeply flawed person. He comes across as confident in his undisputed musical ability, and humble about how lucky he is to have been given a second chance at happiness after a lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse. I further admire the fact that Clapton even at a young age, and at a time when he had no fame or fortune, stuck to his guns and played music on his own terms when many around him were selling out. Furthermore, he is quick to point out the irony of his life and his own idiosyncrasies.

I won't go into to too much detail about his life, I think the reader should read the book.

I'm not giving it 5 stars because I would have liked to hear more about Clapton's music and how he got to be the guitar virtuoso that he is.

I bought a used copy of Clapton's biography because I was searching for information about Screaming Lord Sutch's band in the very early 60's and I knew it contained one or two comments on Sutch's musicians - they were best rock players in the UK in around 1960. I've only once seen Clapton perform - that would have been in Birmingham UK around 1965, when the Yardbirds were a supporting act for The Animals. As a reader of anything and everything, I went on to read through the book anyway.

Early in his career, he quit the Yardbirds, because he felt they had sold out - in producing records aimed at commercial success. But in the final chapters, he boasts of buying a 150 ft yacht and how its purchase would be financed by a forthcoming world tour - a slight touch of irony there. Someone mentioned that the name of the yacht is Va Bene.

Anyone who wants to see pictures of the boat can Google "va bene yacht". Clacton mentions that its captain is Nick Line. Searching on "va bene nick line" leads to:

Captain Nick Line, who has worked on the Va Bene, a 158 ft yacht, for four years, says the Va Bene is owned by a high-profile musician. "For him, the yacht is a secure holiday," says Line.

Evidently Eric had the yacht refurbished. A report says:

"Her remodelled interior will provide contemporary luxury and elegance for twelve guests in six ensuite staterooms. The owner's stateroom was completely stripped out and re-configured by Struik & Hammerslag under the direction of the yard to a H2 Interior design. The new owner's suite now includes a large bathroom - with separate bath, walk in shower, double hand basins and separate toilet/bidet, a walk in closet and large office that converts into a bedroom for up to three children."

"Each of the other five staterooms on board were given a face lift with new fabrics for the deck head and bulk head panels, new mirrors, lighting, as well as replacement bedding and soft furnishings. In the VIP suite the entire full width bathroom was removed and replaced with modern fittings and limestone décor."


Clapton says in his book: "I was on cloud nine, and had to keep telling myself, 'Yes, you do deserve this.'"

My verdict on the book: Read it if you are a Clapton fan, otherwise I am sure you can find a better use of your time.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thinks Eric Clapton is a tad arrogant! I was a bit shocked when I read his comments on the Beatles. (jealous much?) Like some reviewers wrote, I kinda wish I hadn't read this because it just tarnished my image of someone whose music I love. Now, whenever I listen to his music, all I can think is, "this guy was whacked out of his mind when he recorded this!"

I was also hoping to read more about how his songs came about (most all of them). And as a lot of other reviewers wrote, he seems to skip around, so you kind of become lost when trying to figure out the chronological order of things.

And, I couldn't help but think, how much of this is "true", since he was so messed up with drinking and drugs??? Not to say that he's lying, but rather, how well is his memory?

Up until almost the first half of the book, it is rather boring, unless you know about guitars and music -- he seems to write too much in detail about both of these. The first part, where he writes of his childhood and finding out about his mother, etc. is good though. Then, the middle is good (a page-turner!), as is the end, somewhat.

All in all, it seems to me that Mr. Clapton has never really grown up. I was hoping he had married someone closer to his own age, and I was disappointed to find out that he married someone young enough to be his daughter. But, then again, it probably suits him well, since emotionally, he is about that old.

I was also disappointed because I had heard this was a good book. Not that it was bad, but i was just disappointed in how boring it was (the beginning) and in the man himself.

Also, I would love to know what all he "did" to Alice! I wish he would have written about what she said to him when confronting him at the Priory! Now, THAT would have been interesting!!!

This book is just like ec / shallow, vain, self absorbed and at times vengful. A silly chauvanistic child that even 12 step program can't help. He's still a dry alcoholic and drug addict, never able to change. I would put zero stars but the computer won't let me.

This book is so good.....what a page turner...it is full of interesting
insight and lots of industry names etc....Eric Clapton is really open.

After reading some of the negative reviews written on this site, I delved into EC's autobiography with some skepticism. What I found was a most fascinating story covering 40 years of one of the greatest icons in the history of music. Expecting to find an egotistical tale of success(from someone actually dubbed "God"), I instead found Clapton to be an extremely humble, insecure and naive man, despite all his fame and fortune. He candidly tells his most inward thoughts and reveals many mistakes along the way.
The book begins in his early childhood when he learns his parents and brother are really his grandparents and uncle, and that his young mom wants little to do with him. This would leave any child feeling vulnerable and insecure, and Clapton is no exception. He believes this to be the cause of much of his erratic behavior and to his many poor choices of failed relationships throughout his life.
We follow him through swinging London in the '60s as he joins, and leaves, several legendary bands. Clapton explains how Cream was doomed before they even began; how he just wasn't into Blind Faith as much as he should have been; his lack of confidence was what kept him from going solo for so many years.
Clapton is painfully honest about his severe heroin and alcohol addictions, his botched suicide attempt and his obsession with Pattie Boyd. He describes how awkward it was to be good friends with George Harrison, all the while trying to steal his wife.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the humor as Clapton laughs at himself in retrospect at his naivete regarding his bizarre behavior. He discusses how he frequently brought derelicts home to his estate because he thought they might be more "real" than anyone else, but instead found them to be "barking mad and talking gibberish", with poor Pattie having to cook dinner for them all. There's the hilarious story of his being conned by a crazy woman from New York into performing spells and incantations in an attempt to win back Pattie's affections.

With this honest autobiography, Clapton has dared to lower himself from the pedestal and join the ranks of the "everyday" man who struggles to get by each day. This may be the best autobiography I have ever read.

This was a good autobiography of Eric Clapton. Easy to read and very insightful.

This book is not very well writen. It drops a lot of names but doesn't have much insight. It really drags at the end. Clapton admits to a lot, but somehow it all rings hollow and I get the impression that he really doesn't understand himself, even though he's lived life into his 60's. I'm huge Clapton fan and I wish that I didn't know what his book had to tell me about the man, both on and in between the lines. Listen to the guy's music. That's the best auto-biography he could present, and it really tells us all we need to know. Something is badly lost when an attempt is made to reduce the monumental drive, talent and events from which these notes and words flowed into a book writen by a mere man.

As a big fan of Cream and Derek and the Dominoes and a lover of the Bluesbreaker album with Mayall I looked forward to reading Mr. Clapton's autobiography, especially concerning the early years. I found the author to be a very unlikeable, emotionally shallow, self absorbed narrator. He basically describes how he's screwed up everyone's life he has been associated with, including his own, with no apparent guilt or remorse. Sort of just a big whatever but it all ends well because he's happy now. Not an inspiring read at all.

I was not happy with the condition of the book when i received it. It was a gift and the cover was torn and wrinkled and I could not give it as the gift it was intended to be.

My, my, my. A lot has been written here about disappointment in Eric Clapton's morals, character, psychology... The following is from the viewpoint of someone who is a casual fan of Clapton, certainly not of the insider or idolizing variety, and someone who knows little about music except what she likes to hear. Mostly, that would be Blues.

It didn't occur to me as I read this book to get worked up over his treating women like crap - he's a rock star, how would he NOT? He demonstrates insight into this himself, so it's not as if he's still doing it (and there are plenty of those guys). I saw his early relationships as more about opportunity, alcoholism and masochism than about cruelty toward others.

Some reviewers didn't like the length or tone of his grief over the loss of his son. Grief is expressed and worked through differently in everyone. I found his recounting quite moving and appropriate, and I suspect he said all he could bear to say on the subject. Regarding his massive, lucrative hit "Tears in Heaven," he says, quietly, "if you want to know what it cost me...go visit my son's grave." There are complaints that he did not acknowledge all of the people, or the right people, or acknowledge the right people enough, for contributing to his career. I have no idea about that. I don't know all the names he should have included, but gobs of musical influences, management and support staff were discussed in plenty of detail for me, thank you.

This autobiography was thoroughly enjoyable - not great prose, mind you (hence 3 stars, not 4), but adequately written to give a picture of Eric Clapton, the ordinary kid turned brilliant musician turned man. He says repeatedly that the "E.C. is God" phrase of the '70s baffled and embarrassed him, yet probably corrupted his ego during his most obnoxious years. As it would any of us.

The only criticism I do agree with are reviewers' mentions of the poor quality publication. Stupid typos, stingy photos, and so on...but what mass-market book these days lacks stupid typos and cheap photos? It's a book-publishing standard for about a decade, now, as far as I've noticed. Hardly worth being peeved about in any particular book.

Inflated self-image combined with self-loathing, drugs and booze, rock stardom, buckets of money, and beautiful, unstable women...I was not at all shocked that Eric Clapton succumbed to all of these for a major portion of his life. And it was fun to read about his triumph - yet constant vigilance - over his addictions and over carelessness in relationships (including fatherhood). I like it that he's now a contented man. As ordinary a man as a rock star can be.

that tells its story the best way he can . Open and Honest . Too bad RComposer as thousands want what they want of the man , isntead of accepting the man as he is , a talented man of flesh and blood . Is not what we want , is what we Get . And having been trough clinic , 12 steps and the miles that go with it , I do agree that you help the way you can , and that whatever works for u , used it . Anoninity is relative . Following the 12 steps to the letter sound like fanatism to me , hey i could be wrong but 10 years clean is a Trip in itself and i use whats best for me . I liked reading about his life , that i do not hunt , that i do not have his wealth , his luck , his talent , so what , I have my own to live . That i really liked Pilgrim musically and spiritually , so i do , it's me . That he is happy with a loving family and wants to share the Joy , good for him , inspires to be a better person , tolerant and loving ... Long Live Clapton ...

CLAPTON: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY ERIC CLAPTON: Now out in paperback, the story of Eric Clapton's life as written and told by himself is not necessarily a happy one, but it is one that is true to his life, as he recounts the moments when he wrote and recorded some of the world's favorite songs. He tells of the times he wrote and recorded the great songs like "Layla," "Wonderful Tonight," "Bell Bottom Blues," and many more, as well as discussing his obsession with Pattie Boyd and the effect it had on his friendship with George Harrison.

Eric Clapton, like many British musicians, began life in a poor family with very little, the son of a builder. Discovering the great music of the 1950s, he made it his goal at a young age to become a great guitarist. Clapton's career began slow, with his lack of money, his first guitars just weren't that good and hindered his creativity, as well as his ability to teach himself to play. Nevertheless, he began his playing in a time that was bursting with creative music talent, giving him many avenues to practice and improve. From the beginning, Clapton was both a perfectionist with his music, and somewhat stuck up and arrogant about the sound he wanted. He saw the Beatles as too commercial, looking for a purer and more complex sound. This is why he spent little time with bands, going from one to the next like The Yardbirds, Cream, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, and Blind Faith. And yet with each band he improved and became more popular in the eyes of the fans, developing the nickname "Slowhand" as well as the chant "Clapton is God!"

At the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 70's, Clapton was at a highpoint in his career, wealthy for the first time, and because of the time, took very heavily to drugs, alcohol, and smoking, and was soon a heroin addict. While Clapton never really openly discusses why he became an addict for so many vices, he is upfront in revealing the disappointment his father always had for him in pursuing a career in music, as well as an awkward first sexual experience that led to many problems in his life. In 1970, Jimmy Hendrix, a good friend and revered as a hero by Clapton, died from unexplained circumstances, but was known to be a very heavy drug and alcohol user. The parallels were obvious to Clapton, but instead of swearing off everything, he went the other way and spent years depressed, constantly drinking and taking heroin.

Through the 1970s and early 80's this addiction sadly continued with Clapton, even though some of his best music was written and recorded during this period. Clapton is honest in saying that he cannot remember as much as he would've liked to of his life. Going through serious rehab, he eventually stopped the drug abuse, but simply switched to alcohol and smoking. The 1980s were a time in which Clapton spent most of the day drunk, and yet still managed to transcend the world of music in his guitar playing and writing. It was not until the 1990s that he finally stopped drinking completely, as well as eventually ending his smoking habit.

It was not until the late 90's that Clapton found his current wife and admits that it has only been in the last ten or so years of his life that he has been truly happy. This is visible in his music, with the album Pilgrim on through to the present; it is a more mature and happier sound, with less anguish, as if Clapton really is enjoying what he is doing in his life for the first time.

Clapton: the Autobiography is the life of Eric Clapton through his memories and thoughts. It is a life of sadness, depression, heartache, alcohol and drug abuse. In some ways it tarnishes the joy and happiness fans find in his music, when he cannot even recall recording a favorite song. Nevertheless there is a silver lining and a happy ending that makes the reader realize that in the later years of his life, Eric Clapton is finally at peace with his past and enjoying the great music he continues to make.


For more reviews, and writings, or to buy yourself a copy, please visit [...]

The band Cream always kind of intrigued me. They seemed so ragtag, yet really quite good. Then, shortly after I graduated from college, I had a housemate who was an accomplished blues guitarist--in contrast to my cheap attempt, you know, hoping for the fame without putting any energy into it. He informed me that Clapton got all his style from black guitarists. I took his word for it.

Well, Clapton confirmed that. He was just a kid, bought himself a really cheap guitar, and spent hours mimicking styles of Muddy Waters, etc. Then he moved into the Yardbirds, and the rest is history.

Would that it were so smooth.

Actually, I listened to the recorded version as I really don't have the time to read a showbiz autobiography. I find such texts to be so laughably self-indulgent. And I hoped for more from Eric. He is, after all, quite talented, that's obvious. Yet for most of his life, all he did is over-indulge. He got strung out on junk, then used some accupuncture means of overcoming his addiction--I challenge that such a practice would work, but for the time being, I'll take his word for it as well.

Then he switched substances and drunk until he dropped. He attached himself to George Harrison's ex-wife over whom he'd had a fantasy for some time. In the meantime, he spent more time with more women than most of us will be able to fantasize.

To make a long story short, after his son died, he decided to dry up. Then he met a woman half his age and since they've had four kids and he's pleased as punch while still attending his 12 step meetings and, oh, life is so wonderful.

I'm sorry but I get really tired of showbiz autobiographies. Most of us who are music fans I think anticipated that Cream were skilled musicians with great tours. What was important was the talent and music, not their personality clashes and constant indulgence in more drugs than you could find in any city on any day.

Such an autobiography makes its writer look like an ordinary guy. But, no, Eric, you had more money than most of us will see in a lifetime. You bought a new home at the drop of a hat, travelled more in a year than the rest of us will be able to in a lifetime. So, no, you're not just one of the guys.

As I indicate in the title, I think as rock stars are getting riper--Clapton is now 63--the PR stunt, that which gets more of us to buy their albums is to write an autobiography so we don't forget them either. And the "one of the guys" is a shrewd means of getting us to identify with them. But it's not particularly honest, whether the author thinks it is or not.

Anyway, it was written pretty well, I guess, but finishing off with "I'm all recovered now" is just another dimension of the cliche of the showbiz autobiography.

I hoped I'd respect Eric Clapton more when I finished the book. Now I find I'm getting more cynical in general for the celebrity crowd.

Like many others, I looked forward to reading about the life of a musician whom I had admired for 40 years. Unfortunately Clapton's book is disappointing, not only from a literary standpoint (he needed a ghostwriter or an editor who could stand up to him and make some sorely needed changes), but from a narrative perspective as well. Two-thirds of the book is about a selfish, immature individual who truly didn't deserve the success that came his way. I found much of his childish behavior to be maddening. The last third of the book centering on his redemption from addictions, also helps redeem the story. (I found that I was nearly as disgusted with Clapton by the time I finished as I had been before his second rehab stint.) All in all, I kinda wished I hadn't read the book at all. Some things are better left unknown. Sorry, Eric!

Yesterday I read Clapton's amazing autobiography in one sitting. Now I must admit, I took my teenage kids to a day-long music festival where the primary genre was "screamo". So while they were taking in the head-banging and mosh-pit action, I listened to Mark Knopfler on my Ipod and read Clapton's amazing confession of a life nearly wasted, except by God's grace. No, I am not 100% sure he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. But if he was being as honest in the book as I believe, then I wouldn't bet against it.

Here is his confession that I think is so humble and so honest:

"...I was in complete despair," "...In the privacy of my room, I begged for help. I had no notion who I thought I was talking to, I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether ... and, getting down on my knees, I surrendered. Within a few days I realized that ... I had found a place to turn to, a place I'd always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and with my ego, this is the most I can do. If you are asking why I do all this, I will tell you ... because it works, as simple as that."

Clapton did not mention in the autobiography his born-again confession of Christ from the Blind Faith days. Some say he recanted it during his years of addiction. And yes, the memoir does demonstrate his unsophisticated theology, his agnosticisms and even his interest in non-Christian religious concepts.

But the bottom line is, the man's confession was humble and heartfelt. He attends church and buries his dead in Christian funerals. He was married in a Christian ceremony. No, that doesn't make him a believer. But his confession is surely a "good confession".

Here is the life of a boy born of an unwed mother, hurt by the shame of his bastard status in his working-class extended family. His pain and shame drove him to the guitar and that outlet lead to one of the greatest musical talents of the 20th (and now the 21st) century. His life personified the nightmare of the cultural disintegration of the 1960s and '70s. He lived it out in the self-centered "I am God" focus; that is the result of rejecting the true God in humility and embracing "me" as the one who I will glorify. Yet all the while, he wanted to do good and not bad. But the bad found him, and he embraced it in a long death-kiss. Still, God was merciful, eventually. God knows and cares for His own.

Clapton did not have to see the graffiti "Clapton is God" scrawled on the subway walls in London. He was already his own God, focused on everything that would make HIM happy, make Him feel better since his family humiliated and rejected him; make HIM get what he wanted. His obsession on the most pure music, the most beautiful women (even a friend's wife while they were still attempting to maintain a marriage), the best people to play with, the finest in "street fashion", was all about his need to have everything his way.

And no, God's not through with him yet. The introspection he presents through the amazing telling of his story is partial at best. But it is sincere. His "surrender" is real and his telling of his progress (after the disaster of addiction) rings true.

EC is a humble man in many ways. He is humble like most humble people; imperfect humility. He is realistic about his shortcomings and his gratitude for the blessings God has given him, including letting him live. He is humble in acknowledging God's purview to take his son, not rebelling against Him in the pain of such a monumental loss. Yet he is still the rich man loving his wealth, but in a humble way. Even so, he does give it away; he's an beautifully generous man. So why resent his upland fowling and his fly fishing? (those happen to be two of my personal peccadilloes, and it's not hard to eat all the trout, pheasant and grouse one can harvest in a season)

He is still Clapton, still the greatest guitarist alive. God took Hendrix and Allman early. He acknowledged their even greater talent, but if they had lived, would they have been as prolific or successful? We'll never know. Well, maybe we will know on that Day, if Jimi and Duane were saved (and maybe they were; only God knows for sure).

Regarding his writing, I think it's absolutely perfect. He's talking to the reader individually. It's almost a conversation, not a monologue. He makes some initial comments and then, as though the reader had made an insightful reply or query, he continues, as though responding in a friendly interview over a nice cup of coffee. The photos in the paperback book were interesting, and I'm glad they were there. There was not a good shot of Patty, although she was certainly in good form in the beach shot. But the photos were not the point; his life story as he told it was captivating.

I couldn't help but wonder how he might have truly changed the world if he had turned from the drugs and sex and simply stuck with the music and used it as a ministry to God. He is now 21 years sober and his music has become the standard upon which much of modern music is founded. His influence cannot be overstated; certainly on par with the Beatles.

What if he had turned to Christ after that Blind Faith concert when the Christian fans prayed with him to accept Jesus? What if he had followed "In the Presence of the Lord" with something more like "Shout to the Lord" instead of "Cocaine" and "Lay Down Sally"? Could he have helped turn us from becoming a society that aborts full term babies on demand? Might he have helped turn the world away from recreationalizing sex? Might he have helped keep marriage sacred and honored instead of trashed?

We'll never know, although it's something he may hear from Christ on that Day. Someone with as much influence as he has had on our world culture could have helped prevent much of the insanity we have bequeathed the current generation. Yesterday I watched as teenagers cavorted proudly with the self-mutilation of full-body tattoos trashing their formerly God-given beauty. Might Clapton the man of God (instead of simply "Clapton the God") influenced society in a way that would have spared so many from so much pain. Yes, he's doing his part for addicts. Praise God. But how many of those addicts were influenced by the life he lived as the addict who could still be the world's greatest guitarist?

One last comment. I saw Clapton play on his tour in Florida in '06. His performance was peerless. I've never seen a guitar man play with such accomplishment, power, passion or genius (and I saw Duane Allman from the 3rd row in a crowd of maybe 300 in 1970). He played the Derek and the Dominoes tunes better than the original, and I thought I was going to have to wait for heaven to hear them that way (and that was on the long chance that he'd actually make it there!) The old man can play (he's 8 years older than me, so that's OLD)! Today I'm buying his Robert Johnson and JJ Cale albums on the strength of the autobiography.

Hendrix, Allman, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin all should have lived. Music would have benefited from them living longer, I believe. But maybe, if they had lived, the world would be even more secularized, evil and degenerate than it is today. The fact is, Clapton was a passive player in the cultural revolution. He was an unlikely culture warrior. His virtuosity, his musical genius was his hallmark; the music made him famous, not his on-stage demeanor. The fact is he was a bit player in the culture wars, even though he was surrounded by the prime suspects. Most of his degeneracy was personal, destroying mostly his loved ones and himself.

But his disastrous life, until he finally kicked heroin, alcohol and whoredoggery, influenced the culture just the same. No, not as much as might have happened if Lennon, Morrison or Joplin had lived an additional 25 years. Certainly Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have done nothing to restore traditional family values in the last quarter century.

But EC has repented. He has turned away from the old life of insanity and turned to a life of God and family. He is a man of prayer. He clearly puts his sobriety as his number one necessity in life, and from my reading he credits his sobriety to God. And then his family is next, because without his sobriety his family would be in grave danger. And he's also seeking to help others by his rehab facility in Antigua. Then it's about his fishing, hunting and nice yacht.

That is the mark of the Christian life. God is number 1, others are number 2 and I'm number 3. That is Clapton's testimony, told in humility and self-effacement.

All in all, that is what salvation is about. Turning from the sin that separates one from God and turning to Him, seeking His face first, relying on His strength alone for life, and then, by His strength, serving others.

Of course, I may have misread the story. Certainly Clapton used a degree of restraint in his testimony. That was smart; coming out too overtly "Jesus Freak" could turn many hard cases away.

This is certainly the most surprisingly inspiring read I've found in many years. Highly recommended!

DO NOT buy this book, but DO READ it. Borrow it from a friend, or from the library. If you need proof that old age does not equal wisdom, this is it. If you need proof that famous musicians should not be entrusted with any oracular powers, this is it. But I suppose many people need that proof, so in that sense it is a good idea to read this book. It will show you the real Clapton, the incompetent writer and all-around boring, self-serving careerist.

After reading this book, I think Clapton would do anything just to further his career, and after getting his way, he'd write another book about it where he'd say he's made a huge mistake, and he'd like everyone to say a prayer for him. Oh, and he's better now, and the last years have been the best of his life. And he's all wise and perfect now. He'd just been thinking that he's perfect in the past, but now he really is. Honest.

After reading "Clapton" I understand Eric a little bit better. Granted, I feel that he is not the "watch me bleed" type he tries to reveal parts of himself to the reader. He is brief and provides little explanation for his substance abuse and doesn't reallly elaborate much during the book on key things that people want to know: feelings about his troubled marriage to Patti, how he felt when he lost his friend George, etc. Yeah, he is very lowkey about these episodes in his life but I feel that he has achieve enough distance to talk about his relationship with his mother (very confusing family) and his early substance problems. I truly feel that he has tried to be as honest as he can about his life. But, he is not going to open up his gut and just spew up his inner most feelings for the entire world. In this way I think that he demonstrates very healthy boundaries!! I think the book was good because he wrote himself not so ghost writer!!

i really enjoyed reading about EC's life. i had a little bit of trouble with the English slang, but was able to figure most of it out by using context clues.

i had no idea that he had had such a troubled life. i always had the impression that he was sort of a quiet virtuoso, if you will. teach me to assume!

i am glad that i read this book and i highly recommend it.

Its not like we really need another review on this book or anything. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to remind everyone of the Michelob commercial (late 80s maybe). You know the one with the "After Midnight" redux. How stupid does that sound after you read about Clapton's many inferences regarding artistic integrity? I think it was Neil Young's "This Note's for You" that was intended to bash this trend of "Selling Out." Anyway, the theme of Clapton's book was indeed integrity (the lack of it on any level).

I must admit to enjoying the book primarily for the references to both the musical and political culture during the late 60s early 70s timeframe as well as the interaction with his contemporaries. As others have mentioned however, I kept waiting for there to be some revelation (true crossroad) which never really materialized. I thought it was going to happen with the "down on the knees, desparate plea", but it was not developed or really consistent with future attitude or behavior.

I am neither a literary nor music critic, but I appreciate Clapton's early musical output and enjoyed the process of reading the book regardless of its lack of redeeming value or the taste it left. I agree with those who think Clapton has painted himself as a shallow individual, unwittingly or purposely so.

It never ceases to amaze me how differently people can react to the same stimulus as evidenced by the wide array of reviews. The part in the book about Clapton never having made his bed prior to being in rehab reminded me of Billy Joel's "Captain Jack" where he sings something similar to: you're 21 and your mother still makes your bed, and that's too long. My take on that set of circumstances was that he was saying that you were a loser. My friend's impression was that Joel was just saying that's just the way it is. Perhaps both are correct, but I still hold myself and others to a higher standard.

Eric Clapton's autobiography should have been fascinating, mysterious, and deeply insightful. After all, along with Jimi Hendrix, he was considered a rock guitar "god." So it is with some degree of disappointment that you learn how pedestrian a life can be--shorn of all the drugs, alcohol, girls, fame, and money--when the guitar god in question doesn't appear to understand or appreciate his own gifts. It's not that Eric Clapton's life was dull--far from it. Or that he's not honest about his trials and triumphs. It's just that you hope for something rare and wonderful to be revealed in the life of a man who achieved such artistic excellence. You want to believe that artistic genius somehow permeates the life of the individual as much as what he creates. Here is the short version of Clapton's book: He is born into a working class family. He learns, at age nine, that he is really the illegitimate child of a woman now living happily in Canada. When she first comes back into his life, she demurs when he asks if he can call her "Mum." He feels lost, alone, and different from other people. He discovers the guitar. Soon, he is recognized as a great guitarist. He drifts in and out of several bands, eventually unhappy with all of them. He drifts in and out of several affairs, eventually unhappy with all of them. He becomes addicted to drugs and alcohol. He behaves abominally. He finally hits rock bottom. He marries a very young woman. He finds peace, of a sort.

Eric, is there nothing more that you can tell us about playing so well? Is there something else that we can learn about someone with such an incredible gift? Or is that all there is? I'm sorry, Eric. I wanted to be more in awe of you. Perhaps that's the problem with all gods, guitar and otherwise. They tend to disappoint their followers.

Donald Gallinger is the author of The Master Planets

Great read. He shares aspects of his private life most people don't know about. He's had it rough but the Cream Always Rises to the Top!

Eric is the man and he does a great job being truthful and insightful in to his career and many addictions. He has played with the best musicians of our time and has great stories to tell that you never knew. Everything is great and the books reads fast till you reach the last chapter about his current life. It just kind of rambles on from then on. I would definitely recommend reading this book if you are a Clapton fan at all.

I gave Clapton's autobiography 5 stars because the reading experience was so enjoyable for me. Well actually, the listening experience -- I got the CDs. From reading other Amazon reviews I see people are rating the book with only 1 or 2 stars based on their take on Clapton's character, his writing skills, his "ego" and so on. These reviewers are shocked and disturbed by Eric's self-revelations. Fair play to them for their opinions, though they make me wonder if they fully grasp the very well known fact that Clapton was a rock and roll star from the 60s who partied hard. These reviewers might be better off reading a Charlie Watts bio if they're so easily dismayed by unadorned tales of sex drugs and rocknroll.

What makes Clapton's story so admirable and interesting to me is how freely he lays out the good and bad about himself. In the end, Clapton is not a god, on the inside he's just a guy like the rest of us who had a great deal of talent and luck.

The only thing in the book that bugged me came right at the end, where Clapton naively comments on how "we" would be better off if their were no more record companies. Clapton says this after telling us at length of the many houses he owns across the world, his fabulous yatch, his taste in fine watches, etc, all paid for with the giga google gaga millions he's made in the music biz. I don't begrudge Clapton for making lots of money and spending it any way he likes. But Eric, just how was it you made so much $$$ in the music biz? Even given your talent, could you have ever made any real money in music without the record companies working for you?

As a professional musician, Clapton has had a tremendous influence on my approach to music. I was priveledged to have been a participant in the making of his most famous album, Derek and the Dominoes. Even though at the time he was deep into drug use, I found him very professional and easy to work with. This book gives so much insight to the man and any Clapton fan will love it. Eric has spent his entire life devoted to the blues. It's been said that "You can't play the blues until you've paid your dues". Eric's bill was paid up in full forever when he lost his son. Many of us thought that would be the end of Eric but he found comfort in his music and wrote "Tears In Heaven". Yes, he is extravagant and given to spending money like a madman (clothes, watches, hotrods, and a 150 foot yacht), but he's given back tenfold in his music and his desire to help other recovering alcoholics.

I am enjoying the book immensely. It is a very good read. Glad I bought it.

I found this book to be an absolutely fascinating read on British and American music culture in this period of our history. Growing up, I used to hear the expression: "The sun never sets on the British flag". This was to underscore the the scope of British colonization and world domination. It occurs to me in reading this that the sun likely never set on Clapton's "conquests" either. Really though, what an incredibly entitled, hedonistic, misogynistic group o'guys who were to create some of the most important music of our day. Music that influenced an entire culture. It's really wild when you think about it.

Here, for instance, George Harrison is described in a weird kind of duality as someone deeply spiritual and yet as a philandering, egocentric "partier". Isn't it then fitting that this musical giant of our time finds himself in the dilemma of unconciously confusing the melody of "My Sweet Lord" with "He's so Fine"? Maybe even a karmic irony?

I'm a fan. I am a big fan. I'm more moved that Eric Clapton was courageous enough to to open himself to our judgement and scrutiny in writing this. I just think it would be a trip to revisit this particular culture fifty years from now. Will we worship at this alter--or recognize that creativity is an energy which moves through people? "Let it flow, let it blossom, let it grow". Maybe then we can accept our own humanity and the same humanity in the people we call heroes. Clapton is not God.

Awesome narrative from a rock legend. Well written, honest, and profound. Read this and Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me and you will get a big picture of life during rock's classic period.

This is a fast paced read. Clapton thankfully spends little time on childhood "growing up". He generally gets to the "good stuff" and stays there. His honesty is refreshing and nearly makes up for the fact that he truly is a human turd. Buy this book, you won't want to put it down.

In Clapton's own words the blues are "a celebration of triumph over adversity", which certainly is the case here.

There's no doubt the Clapton is a great musician, so I'll leave who's the best up to others to debate.

I've been familiar with Mr. Clapton's music for years, but wouldn't call myself a die hard fan. Someone lent me this book, so I read it.

I took the trouble of listening to the music mentioned in the book in the same order, The Yardbirds, John Mayall, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, etc. to keep things in context.

The stories that were recounted, both professional and personal were often heartbreaking tragedies that were hard to read (I rarely read autobiographies).

It was hard for me to grasp how someone could put themselves through such anguish. This book is very engaging, which more than compensates for the fact it could have been edited a little better.

In the end, this truly is a story of triumph over adversity. In other words, Clapton has lived the BLUES.

That's How the Light Gets In: Memoir of a Psychiatrist by Susan Rako, M.D. The title comes from a song by Leonard Cohen: "There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Rako's book is both wonderfully well-written and brilliantly insightful. It is a great read. The writing just flows.

I have to somewhat agree with RComposer's review. I too have followed his career, loved his music and even admired him as a fan. After reading his book, I still love his music, but I don't have any desire to follow his career or admire him. For me, his book came across as a man who spent the majority of his life without a soul.

This book is full of "bits" of information but no real substance. I really wanted to come away from reading this with a nice warm fuzzy good feeling towards him --- that didn't happen.

It's ironic that he has such soul & passion in his wonderful music and so little in his personal life. Or maybe there is more to him and his writing is just so bland. Either way, the book left me with a less than favorable opinion of him.

On the good side: He has lived a full life and has met and worked with some of the greats. He is also advocating sobriety and putting his money where his mouth is in helping others. He now appreciates his life & is proud of what he has. All in all, Clapton is a great musician and afterall... isn't that what he is all about?

I have always loved Eric Clapton and his music and boy, am I sorry I ever read this book. He really needs to get a over that he was lied to as a youngster and that his parents were really his grandparents and his sister was really his mother. But then again, most junkies I have known were real whiners and their lives thought to be extraordinarily tragic.

Now when I hear his music, all I will think is - boy, what a cad. AHHH!!!

Eric Clapton is very honest account of his life in music. I knew of his basic life history from a previous book that I read. However, this autobiography goes much deeper. His growing up years with his grandparents as his leagal guardians is quite intriguing. His forays into the music world starting with John Mayal and the Yardbirds are quite interesting. Also, I enjoy how Delaney Bramlett and indirectly Steve Winwood instilled a confidence in Eric to sing with confidence.

Eric's battels with drugs and alcohol add a hazy shade over the book. And for a while you wonder how Eric Clapton was lucky enough to survive. And the constant turmoilish relationship with ladies most notably Patti Boyd illustrate Clapton's struggles with adapting to a life partner. Finally he becomes alcohol free and finds a loving wife and children.

I enjoy hearing the many fascinating stories behind many of Clapton's big hits. Isn't it interesting how sometimes a performer does not see his own greatness. Nonetheless, I found Eric Clapton's autobiography very compelling.

If you are looking for a detailed book about how Eric Clapton created his songs and what his inspirations were or even about his relationships then this isn't the book for you. I wanted to know his thoughts and feelings about the different things that have happened in his life. I also wanted to know details about his life. This book is more of an overview of his life. He glossed over a lot of his chasing and trying to steal George Harrison's wife. When he caught her then he glossed over the abuse that he threw her way. He didn't own up to all the abusive things he said and did while he was doing drugs and drinking. He even tried to underplay his arrests and wrecks. This book is written like how Mr. Clapton speaks. It needed to be edited better. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone other than a person who knows nothing about Clapton.