I always love an insider look at rock bands, but Don Felder is such a whiny baby that I had to work hard to keep my lunch down while reading his tome. There is no doubt that Felder is a great guitarist, but no one will ever accuse him of being a great thinker. Don Henley and Glenn Frey ARE the Eagles and apparently Felder was the last one to figure this out. Sorry, bub, other than writing the music to "Hotel California," you were always a sideman, no matter what agreements were made in the very beginning of Eagles, Ltd. You should have just accepted that Henley and Frey were the Lennon and McCartney of your outfit or gotten out if it was as bad as you described and saved us all 300 pages of bellyaching and whining.

"Heaven and Hell:My Life in the Eagles" is a must read for any fan. I have been a long time fan of the Eagles and have read alot about how the band couldn't get along, but to I am astonish to read that they had differences since the very start. I liked the book from beginning to end. Felder tells us about his heart warming and sometimes unsettling life with his parents, wife, and children; as well the good and bad times of being a member of the Eagles. I found it interesting that he knew and was hanging out with so many well known and legendary musicians before they made it famous. I just couldn't put this book down. After finishing the book I just wanted to give him a hug.

Don Felder, composer of HOTEL CALIFORNIA, has written a book yanked from the belly of the beast.

Five musicians gather as equals, form a great country-rock band, and then discover not all of them are created equal.

Felder, the ethereal mood-guitar artist, nicknamed "Fingers" by "The Gods", strikes back at them with a thorough biographical view of their inter-relationships, fights, orgies, threats, business-dealings, grudges and knifings that somehow came together for a short time under the cold eyes of Glen Frey and Don Henley, the control-freaks who ran and ran into the ground the flight of The Eagles.

And Felder does not pull any punches, so if Henley and Frey are your heroes, be prepared for a huge jolt of reality.

Also, be prepared to listen to The Eagles in a new way. Some songs used to seem vague; now they can be deciphered.

At times, Felder's account of his own drug abuse and marriage failure seems a bit maudlin, over-dramatic. Too much posed fainting and remembered sighs.

But you can accept all this because he survived the trauma and escaped from the Hotel California with most of his brain intact.

Wait a minute. I just gotta stop here and listen, once again, to his soulful riffs on "I Can't Tell You Why."

by Larry Rochelle, author of BOURBON AND BLISS, the dark side of New Orleans.

I think Felder did a great job of putting his ego in the background and telling the story straight. Don and Glenn pushed the band from an equal partnership of five Eagles to the two Gods plus their hired hands Tim and Joe. Felder fought and lost. Yes he resents the heck out of them but at the same time is not so blinded by his anger (perhaps due to help from an able ghostwriter) as to present an unrealistically one-sided tale.

The book is clearly cathartic for someone who lost his marriage, his career and decades-long friendships to his fight against Henley and Frey. Anyone who's loved and lost -- or made major life mistakes -- can relate to the story of survival and determination.

It serves as a reminder that the Eagles are more like all the other reunion bands -- with a few originals and several interlopers -- rather than the myth of continuity presented by their PR machine. Of the best-selling rock album of all time -- their Greatest Hits -- only 2 of the original 5 contributors remain. That all seven were present for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is one of the few legitimate codas to the long soap opera of Eagles Ltd.

I love the Eagles' music, always have, always will. I guess I knew they were ALL a bunch of egomaniacs and not very nice people but didn't really care. Don Felder attempts to make himself out to be the good guy of the group but I'm not buying it. He cheats on his wife for years and then gets his feelings all hurt because she finally gets her own life. He obviously despises Henley and Frey (who wouldn't?) but sucks up to them every chance he gets. He is constantly crying like a little girl about how horrible life in the Eagles is but can't seem to get a grip when they kick him out. He just doesn't come off as very sympathetic to me, no better or worse than the rest of them. And if you are looking for any juicy tidbits of gossip, forget it. This book is basically Don Felder patting himself on the back and whining about life in one of the best and most successful bands ever.

A lot of people probably aren't even aware that Felder wrote the Eagles biggest hit, Hotel California.

Dealing with "the Gods" Henley and Frey for so many years sounds like it was torturous at best but Felder refrains from unnecessary mudslinging and reports the facts more like a journalist than an embittered ex-bandmate.

I bought it immediately after hearing Felder on the Howard Stern show performing a beautiful acoustic rendition of Hotel California. He came across as down to earth and thoroughly entertaining. The same can be said for this book. Highly recommended.

This book is well written, in that it flows well, and is informative as it keeps the reader interested from beginning to end. It is a good book for someone with little knowledge about the band, but for a fan, this is a revelation of answers. It even provides some interesting facts that I had not thought about pertaining to the group's history. I have always thought Felder was a very good instrumentalist, though somewhat "mysterious." Before reading this book, I had never found any text concerning his professional career prior to playing with the Eagles. American players historically do not seem to get the same level of media coverage that the English guitarists seem to receive. Felder was so "regal" in his demeanor on stage, ..like a male lion moving slow off in the outer perimeters. He never seemed to say much during his time with the Eagles. He just played impecable lead guitar lines on top of those magnificent songs, album after album.
But, all seven of the Eagles are great, and each one contributed greatly to the output, and performance of the band. To my perception, the guy standing on the corner of Winslow, Arizona will always be Glenn Frey. Also, Don Henley did not have to agree to reform the Eagles, but he did, and that permited them to be "new", with a great new album for the new century. It is great to listen to the wonderful harmonies in songs that I didn't listen to during high school! But, back to this book, it is very good, and I could not put it down for the time it took me to read it. I will miss Felder, but Stewart Smith is the same guy that played on that masterpeice by Rosanne Cash a few years ago, .."Kings Record Shop" I think. The playing he did on that albumKing's Record Shop was amazing, so I am glad to finally hear from him again! I would also like to comment about the image portrayed in the book of the band's manager. The writing is not very comprimentary in reference to this man. All the writing in the book reads in such a way as to "feel" as if it is honest, so this guy may indeed be a tough fellow. But, before deciding what really makes a band manager "bad", I suggest that one should read another book entitled "The Tragic Story of Badfinger"Without You : The Tragic Story of Badfinger (with 72 minute cd)

What could have been a fascinating look into life in the Eagles band during the 70s, turned out to be a long diatribe against Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Did you know that they didn't give Felder a Christmass present one year? Well you do now!

If you're looking for salacious stories about drugs and groopies, look elsewhere. Felder glosses over all this material. He hints at things, but doesn't follow up with the details.

For example, Felder reveals that he drove Joe Walsh to rehab. I thought ok, this should be an interesting story. But no. Felder just uses this incident to highlight what a jerk Walsh was in not sticking up for Felder when he got fired.

Felder also seems very naive. When the Eagles reformed to tour in the '90s. Felder is shocked. Shocked! To find that he's not going to be paid as much as Frey and Henley. Well he agrees to the deal any way and spends much of the book bemoaning his status. If all he did was count the money in my wallet, like he did to Frey and Henley, I would have fired him as well.

What could have been a fascinating look into life in the Eagles band during the 70s, turned out to be a long diatribe against Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Did you know that they didn't give Felder a Christmass present one year? Well you do now!

If you're looking for salacious stories about drugs and groopies, look elsewhere. Felder glosses over all this material. He hints at things, but doesn't follow up with the details.

For example, Felder reveals that he drove Joe Walsh to rehab. I thought ok, this should be an interesting story. But no. Felder just uses this incident to highlight what a jerk Walsh was in not sticking up for Felder when he got fired.

Felder also seems very naive. When the Eagles reformed to tour in the '90s. Felder is shocked. Shocked! To find that he's not going to be paid as much as Frey and Henley. Well he agrees to the deal any way and spends much of the book bemoaning his status. If all he did was count the money in my wallet, like he did to Frey and Henley, I would have fired him as well.

If you love the Eagles, you'll like this book. It's not especially well written and is mildly repetitive, but will make you see the group in a whole new light.

I couldn't put this book down. Don Felder captured perfectly, the innocence and cultural changes of 70's coming of age experience through his personal Eagles journey.

Don writes honestly about the clash between musicians and corporation's need to make a profit, with greed, excess & egos growing out of the band's success. In a Rock & Roll band, the experience of working with a talented group of musicians unfolds much like any group that experiencing sudden wealth or power. Today it could be a team in software development. The pitfalls, tensions and self importance are similar. This story is told first hand and honestly in beautiful shades of grey.

I enjoyed this book more than To The Limit (which is excellent book and reaffirms the same Eagles' story Don Felder tells). A great read for a summer day. Kudos to Wendy Holden for her prose.

This book came to my attention just before Memorial Day while I was staying in the Sierras at a lodge close to the Strawberry Festival. Went out for a walk and was stopped by a guy wearing an "Event Staff" outfit and reading this very book with its most unique license plate cove while he was guarding access to the grounds. The Strawberry Festival is an annual music festival held in the Sierras and it spans a wide spectrum - from folk and bluegrass to roots and more. Anyway, I asked about the book and was given a brief summary. When I got home, I bought the book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I have a much better understanding of the history of the Eagles, the music business and music politics. The book can be further enjoyed by watching YouTube videos of the author and the band, the Eagles.

We always new that Glen Frey and Don Henley were a couple of insecure jerks didn't we? Well Don Felder confirms it with lots of details in this book. There are a couple of things that I like about this book. First of all, it feels honest. Felder speaks about how he, Joe Walsh, and the other members of the group (with the exception of Bernie Leadon who didn't take any of Frey's crap) more or less cowered before the two people they called "The Gods" in order to preserve the music. I also enjoyed Felder's story of growing up in Gainesville, Florida, and his interaction with his family and other future rock and roll musicians (such as a young Tom Petty). I'm usually disappointed in these type of books (such as the Clapton biography), but this one is worth reading!!!!

Don Felder spends the majority of the first half of the book telling the story of his life as a poor, Gainesville, Florida boy who married young and rode his guitar-playing expertise to the top of the music world.

Felder's friendship with original-Eagle Bernie Leadon and his lean years with fledgling bands make his unlikely membership in the Eagles an enjoyable success story. His energetic, rock-edged guitar playing helped re-invent the Eagles sound, and launched them to greater heights.

While a number of previous reviewers dismiss Felder as being bitter for suing the band to maintain his just and contracted equal share of the Eagles' profits, I think he does a fair job of stating the facts in a non-whiny manner. Message to all: Save all paperwork related to business!

It is evident that manager Irving Azoff's desire to divide and conquer was successful in dividing the Eagles. I had hoped to see Don Felder return someday to the Eagles; it may eventually happen, now that his lawsuit has been settled out of court.

Don Felder is very forthcoming about his life, and his place among the Eagles. Burdened by his self doubts and insecurities about his guitar skills, these traits haunt him even today. These inner demons kept him in Gainesville longer than he should have stayed; kept him from ending low paying, deadend jobs in Boston; prevented him from trying to make the scene on the West coast; perpetuated his own disillusionment with the Eagles; and ultimately played a starring role in his unfavorable demise from the group.

He tells the story of a different time in music, and the gifts he was given by knowing so many talented musicians who just loved making music. The guys jammed together, and filled in for each other in a pinch, and even taught one another to play different instruments. I mean, we're talking Chris Hillman, Duane Allman, Herbie Hancock, Elton John, the Beegees, the Blues Brothers, Tom Petty, Gram Parsons, and the list goes on! The book would be a great read just to get a glimpse of a magical era in rock and roll music itself.

Once he joined the Eagles, Don "Fingers" Felder became a work-a-holic on a listing ship which became increasingly difficult to get righted. As he spent his life at the beck and call of the Eagles' success, his wife Susan took complete care of him. She was his emotional rock night or day, raised their four children single-handedly, and stuck by him through drug abuse, infidelity, and years on the road. He is blatantly honest about being non-supportive of Susan when it came her turn to make her mark in the world. Instead of taking care of her, their home, the kids (although the hard part was over), and reciprocating her 30-year commitment to him and his career... he divorced her. And he discusses the woman he shares his life with now, and how she is there for him, because he still can't stand up emotionally for himself.

So Don Henley is anal, and Glen Frey's sense of self-importance is only surpassed by that of the Greek god, Narcissus? Old, old news. But it was interesting to gain a bit of insight into two entities who worked hard to propel the Eagles straight into rock history, only to destroy the Eagles by sacrificing them to feed their own insatiable inner beasts. While Don Felder grew increasingly frustrated with the inner mechanisms of the band, he just didn't have the confidence to stand up for himself. He never seemed to understand why Tim and Joe were caught in the middle. They had much more to lose, in many ways, than Don Felder. As Joe tried to explain... it's hard as hell on the mind, body and soul out there going solo, with the work load, the hours, and the responsibilities. But it is something one must experience to understand. Never having experienced it, he was not able to recognize it and support Susan while she built her company... solo. And he humbly acknowledges this shortcoming in himself.

Despite the soaring highs and sweeping lows in his life, it sounds like Don Felder has found peace. I appreciate that for him in his life.

My strongest regrets about the way things ultimately transpired among the members of the band are sheerly selfish: 1) I will never get to see the Eagles perform with Don Henley, Glen Frye, Don Felder, Timothy Schmit and Joe Walsh. (The hope of seeing them perform, including Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, died decades ago.); and 2) I can play hell getting a guitar or photo signed by all 7 members of the Eagles. Ahhh. Thank God for CDs!

Great book, everybody mentioned in this book are geniuses in their own right, ego's are always a huge factor in any group, and without a defined leader, people naturally push to get things done the way they feel is best, the Eagles were no different. Entertaining to see how their music and personal lives evolved over the years, Felder writes from the heart, and his personal experience in the band sheds a light on how power and money changed the environment that was once totally music driven, to one that tried to maintain the music standard, and add the big business aspect.Great reading, enjoyed it all.

I tend to assume that celebrity bios are ghost-written, and this one at least credits the co-author. Given that, it's a much better read than I expected, well put together and coherent. Don Felder makes a good "unsung hero", and for an unsung hero getting his chance to speak, he does a good job of taking the high road. He makes a noticeable effort to be fair to all the members of the Eagles with whom he played, and as a result he doesn't come off as petty or whining. I have always enjoyed and admired his guitar playing, and now have a sense that he may also be a pretty decent person. Worth reading.

This is basically another tale of domestic abuse--this time with a '70s country-rock soundtrack. Oh, and not one but TWO abusive husbands: Henley and Frey. I do understand how Felder's situation put him in a tough position within the band, but I really do think someone should have shaken him really hard at some point, maybe by the early '80s, and shown him how the sacrifices he was making with his marriage, family, health, and musical talent were in no way worth the cash and any financial security he ended up with.

I always figured Don Henley and Glenn Frey were egomaniacs...Don Felder's tell-all book called Heaven and Hell not only confirmed my assumption but provided loads of details to back it up. Wow. I know the money was great and all but I still can't understand how Felder survived all those years with these guys.

When I first opened this book I assumed I would skip whatever pre-Eagles coverage Felder offered and jump right in to the Hotel California era. I also thought I'd cut it short and not bother reading much beyond the band's first breakup. Much to my surprise, I started reading about Felder's childhood on page one and was immediately hooked. The guy has led a fascinating life and it's remarkable how many other well-known musicians he's stumbled across over the years. Growing up in Gainesville gave him access to bands like The Allman Brothers and he was even Tom Petty's first guitar teacher.

While the early years of Felder's life were more interesting than I originally figured, the book really shines when he hooks up with The Eagles after they've had a taste of success in 1974. Hotel California is one of my favorite albums and probably the only one I care much about from The Eagles. The story of how that album was made, and how that song was written, is riveting. Felder takes you behind the scenes of tours, studio sessions and traveling with the band. You get the impression you're right there in the same room with these guys. The book is exceptionally well-written.

I finished reading it last night and I'm still marvelling at how Henley, Frey and the band's manager (Irving Azoff) railroaded Felder into a much smaller cut of the proceeds towards the end. And yes, I realize Henley and Frey were the two "faces" of the band and they had much more successful solo careers than Felder, but still...I'll bet Paul and John never hosed George and Ringo like that. When you see these mega-bands from the '70's reuniting for "one final farewell tour" and ticket prices are well north of $100 it's hard to look at it as anything other than greed. Heaven and Hell will reinforce that notion, particularly when it comes to Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Irving Azoff. No matter how much you liked (or even disliked) The Eagles, Heaven and Hell is a very worthwhile read and sheds much light on the '70's music scene.

I think Don Felder was probably caught in the worst position of the seven men who called themselves, at various times, the Eagles. He wasn't an original member, but he also came along before clear latecomers Joe Walsh and Tim Schmitt, and he probably felt like he was as responsible for their most successful period as anybody else. That probably is a stretch, but I can see how he felt that way. He was the musical inspiration for Hotel California, and his driving guitar licks helped transform the band from soft to mainstream rock- a fact that became complete when Joe Walsh came in to replace Bernie Leadon. I wish Henley- whose bleeding heart is always worn prominently on his sleeve- and Frey- the linchpin of the group- would have been more magnanimous and kept the members all as equal partners in their recent ventures, but I can fully understand their belief that they are the frontmen for the business venture and deserve higher shares of its profits. Having recently seen them in concert, Felder is absolutely not missed...not one bit....and that fact makes it pretty clear where he ranked in the hierarchy. I would think Joe Walsh has a bigger beef, since he stands out in his own right in performance..but I also think Joe is grateful he ain't dead from self-abuse, and for something to do with a nice paycheck and just shows up for work. Felder whining about his wife of 29 years "abandoning" him and Joe and Tim telling him to pretty much take a frickin' hike when he called them after being canned are reasonable clues that his own self-deception of his real value is as much a part of the problem as the "Gods", Henley and Frey (and Azoff),getting tired of dealing with him....i'd wait for the paperback- its a great read for the beach but not worthy of the bookshelf.

From what I heard from other sources, this book gives an honest and interesting overview of the situation inside and around the Eagles. Both Frey and Henley are know to not be the most sympathetic people in this field.

This book gives a good insight!

Felder does a nice job of giving us his biography as well as his career in the Eagles. I think in general he is very fair and not particularly harsh (I mean I have heard the Frey/Henley issues before). There are issues after the reunion in 1994 he did not like that I get (like the money split then vs. now), but complaining the camera was more on Henley and Frey on Hell Freezes Over is really silly (he's the first stinking interview on the DVD for crying out loud).

He does also show you can leave a successful group and live a fairly normal life. Sadly his demise with the Eagles led to the demise of his own marriage. He portrays Henley and Frey (at times) as penny pinching and greedy but I have heard tale Mr. Felder has had his own episodes of penny pinching.

Clearly after hearing Long Road Out of Eden CD without DF it's clear they miss his guitar edge as the album seems to lack both dynamics and soul

If you are an Eagles for or Rock Bank Biography junkie you'll enjoy it a lot. It's great to hear stories of people from small towns making it.
Whether they liked each other not they had great moments as a band with all the varying line ups.

How people end up as tight knit trying to make it to people who can't even be on the same floor of a hotel on tour together is anyone's guess.

Felder does a nice job of giving us his biography as well as his career in the Eagles. I think in general he very fair and not particularly harsh (I mean I have heard the Frey/Henley issues before). There are issues after the reunion in 1994 he did not like that I get, but complaining the camera was more on Henley and Frey on Hell Freezes Over is really silly (he's the first stinking interview on the DVD for crying out loud).

He does also show you can leave a successful group and live a fairly normal life.

If you are an Eagles for or Rock Bank Biography junkie you'll enjoy it a lot.

By now, no Eagles fan should be surprised by tales told about "The Gods," Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and how they have treated (or mistreated) their fellow musicians over the years. What makes this book stand out is that the recounting here is done from the inside, by someone who is not only very capable of telling that history, but is also adept at conveying it in a very readable, conversational way. This is guitarist Don Felder's memoir-to-date, "Heaven and Hell."

Other Amazon reviewers have covered the basics of Felder's life story, tracing his beginnings in Gainesville, Florida; his growing focus on music and guitars; and his father's undue influence on his life. Knowing where he'll eventually end up, the pages make for interesting and anticipatory reading. We follow Felder's winding career path (which includes attending Woodstock) as it eventually leads toward the Eagles, to California, and to the celebrity and opulent lifestyle that only rock stars can earn. And of course: simultaneously to alcohol, drugs, extramarital liaisons, and chain-saw attacks on hotel room furniture. (You go, Joe!)

Those folks who have also read books like Jonathan Gould's "Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain & America" will no doubt be stirred by the resemblance of the Eagles to the Fab Four. Felder himself refers to the analogy on page 116 when Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon are said to have adopted "the George and Ringo positions" in the group. Ain't it the truth? Here we have a band made up of highly creative musicians, dominated by two of the original members (who seem to be writing most of the songs) and a manager who's behind it all, calling the shots. And though the first albums took the public by storm, subsequent albums became tougher and tougher to put together as tempers flared, arguments ensued, and individuals walked out. Near the end, in and around the breakup, intricate legalities took over. In both cases, it all boiled down to ego and money. In retrospect, one wonders what would have been the Beatles' fate if Mark David Chapman had not pulled the trigger. Would John, Paul, George and Ringo have eventually buried the hatchet, just temporarily, and embarked on a "Hell Freezes Over" kind of tour? Wouldn't we all have fallen over each other to get tickets for it?

As for the Eagles: with just one phone call, the controlling forces decide that Don Felder -- after more than 20 years of service, and after contributing the signature "Hotel California" melody -- is no longer necessary to the band. To his credit, he does not roll over and play dead, but instead fights to keep his original legal position in Eagles, Ltd. Nevertheless, Felder is left behind in the end, much like the California license plate that graces the book jacket: battered, bruised, and detached; yet still in one piece, ready to be picked up again. I'm quite pleased to know that, due to the outcome of his successful lawsuit, he will still benefit from the CD I bought at Wal-Mart and the ticket I already bought to see the Eagles in concert later this year. Good for you, Don! And thanks for sharing both the good times and the bad times with us. But please know that after reading this book, I'm going to think long and hard before I spend any more of my own hard-earned dollars on the Eagles.

When HEAVEN AND HELL was first announced, word-of-mouth was that it was going to be so incendiary that Frey and Henley would need asbestos gloves to read the thing. After breezing through HEAVEN AND HELL - and it is a quick, entertaining read - we're treated to the following: The Eagles did a lot of drugs and booze. They jumped every woman that came near. Don Henley was a sour-faced, perfectionist control freak. Glenn Frey was a ego-tripping control freak who treated people like dirt. Joe Walsh was a good-natured, slightly bent guitar hero who loved to trash hotel rooms, etc. And so?? All those peccadillos were fairly common knowledge or at least rumored for years...all Felder's book does is to confirm it!

HEAVEN AND HELL may have exposed the Eagles dirty laundry but - substitute a few names here and there - and it could be the story of the Stones, Zeppelin or any major rock group creating great music amidst drugs, alcohol, groupies and oversized egos. Why should The Eagles have been different?

Actually, given Henley and Frey's demeaning treatment of other members of the group, I thought Felder did an even-handed job of describing the group's life in the fast lane. People may question why he wrote the book but why shouldn't he? He was there; he has a perfect right to record what happened. His version of events may not agree with the version Frey and Henley want the public to accept but so what.

As I was reading Felder's book, time and again I got the feeling I was getting 'The Rest of the Story.' For example, as much as I liked the Eagles' music, often-times it seemed almost too perfect, too mistake-free. Now I know why. Likewise, judging from the book, Henley and Frey seemed as concerned with controlling the public's perception of the group as they were in crafting evocative songs and endearing music.

Felder's book should be required reading for all Eagles fans. It is a rare, warts-and-all, insider's view of the workings of a major rock group. Sour grapes...maybe. But it's still a great read!

Bring back Don Felder, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner! Too bad the powers that be in the Eagles (Frey and Henley) were more interested in money and power, than music or friendship. Don Felder, to give him credit, stuck to his ideals of what is right and wrong, rather than taking whatever money was tossed at him, take it or leave it. It just goes to show that money not only can't buy friendship, but it can destroy friendships too. I bought the newest Eagles' album (double album) and it just makes me long more for the Eagles of old. The production is slick, there probably isn't a hint of a mistake anywhere, and it's about as sterile and boring as an album can be. Oh, and it shows so clearly how important Don Felder's guitar work was to the Eagles. It's funny, when I heard the Eagles had added Don Felder to the group, I wondered how Bernie Leadon felt about another guitarist (competition). It was interesting to find out that they had known each other before and were friends. It was just one of the insights into the Eagles that I enjoyed reading about. I learned a lot about the Eagles, and of course, Don Felder. If you were or are an Eagles' fan, you absolutely have to read this book! Oh, and since I've read this book, I bought 'Mirror', Bernie Leadon's solo album and 'Airborne', Don Felder's solo album. They're both better than the Eagles' latest album!

Felder's perspective on the Eagles is very interesting. As an avid Eagles fan it was very enjoyable to learn more about the people behind the band. I skipped some chapters in the front of the book as Felder tended to give a little too much background of his early life. Also at times Felder comes across a winer. He constantly refers to Henley & Fry as "The Gods". Although it seems that Felder has some legitimate grievances many of his complaints come across as a bit petty. One the whole though, Felder does a great job of telling stories and sharing his life-lessons. He seems to be a nice guy with a kind heart. It's a shame he's not with the band anymore. The man that wrote the music for "Hotel California" should be up on stage playing it with them. To Henley & Fry: "Get Over It" & hire the man back!

An engulfing bio on working life with the Eagles. Many readers write this one off as, 'sour grapes'. Not entirely true. This is a biography of a fantastic musician, introspective of whom contributed what, etc. He speaks fondly of most bandmates, a few not-so fondly. Eagles fans, like myself, will not find a revelation about the band's internal turmoil, it is common knowlege. His abrupt firing and the details mentioned halted the release, i sense... but I found it comical at times, and highly entertaining being a musician myself.

This book, while offering an inside look into the Eagles, does not provide an in-depth view. If you are looking for insider stories of how, what, when and why, you will be disappointed. Much like Felder's description of his lawsuit, there is no "meat" on the bone.

He meets Stephen Stills, but where does that relationship go? How about "little Tommy Petty?" Again, no real detail. How much money did they all make? What type of parties? How did the collaboration really work? How did he end up writing his guitar licks for so many songs? What happened with Walsh?

This book paints a very negative picture of Don Henley and Glen Frey. It makes Felder out to be the good guy, along with everyone else who got fired from the band, while Frey and Henley are "the God's" whose wrath all the "other mortals" had to endure.

I am being generous with 3 stars.

This book is really Don Felder's Life story up to an in the Eagles. While there is some bitterness in places, Don really does give you a good idea of the inner workings of the band. A very good and entertaining read. It is a shame that the Eagles let money get in the way.

If you love the Eagles you may not wish to get to know them as well as you do in this book. Don Felder, however, remains a gentleman throughout his autobiography. I've never read such a straightforward account of some very unpleasant people. One never feels as if he/she is reading one of those tawdry gossip publications that proliferate the marketplace these days. Mr. Felder dishes reality without dishing dirt.
His accounts of creating the Eagles' music are just as involving and, obviously, well-informed.
Overall, one feels as if he/she is receiving a balanced look at what happened behind the scenes. Mr. Felder is not afraid to step back and take a not always flattering look at his own behavior. If you have any interest in the Eadles and their music this is the first book to read.

This is a real page-turner and anyone who has listened to Eagles' music and music by the various participants will realize that Don Felder speaks the truth. I thought it was very well-written and he sounds like a guy who is really trying to do the right thing. Don Henley made okay music after the Eagles, but considering "The Heat is On" - nothing bad that Frey reportedly did or does surprises me. A bonus for me was having my opinion of Graham Nash confirmed.

I found reading this book by Don Felder most enjoyable. I found out things about the Eagles separately & as a group, that I never imagined. I recommend it to any Eagles fan.

Finally all the answers to the questions we've all had since Don Felder was booted from the Eagles. This is a very good read. I understand that there are many sides to this story but Felder had every opportunity to totally discredit 'the Gods' (Henley, Frey and Azoff) but chose to take the high road for the most part. 'High Road' being an understatement during the 70's for this great band. This book is a 'no holds barred' trip down a sometimes tense and rocky road that led this band to international stardom and back. Too bad this story doesn't have a happy ending but with all the GREED and the huge EGO'S it couldn't have ended up any other way. I'm an Eagles fan from way, way back and I own their entire catalog, saw them every time they've been in my area since 1979, but I've seen them LIVE without Don Felder's signature guitar sound only once. After that night I knew I'd never pay that kind of money again to see this band. You can't replace a member as important as Don Felder and have the same 'sound'. And for anyone else on this planet to even think about playing the guitar parts on 'Hotel California'???...forget it. I don't think I'll ever hear the Eagles again in the same light. What do you do when you've made ALL the money you could possibly need (for several generations)? What a greedy, self-centered bunch. "GET OVER IT".

If you're an Eagles fan, this is a rapid-fire page-turner, to be consumed over the course of a single weekend. The carefully crafted brand of The Eagles is coolly dissected in Don Felder's HEAVEN AND HELL, and it makes for great reading.

The ego-jousting of The Gods vs the rest of the band was entertaining and insightful: of course there are going to be petty rivalries, jealousies and passive-aggressive whackiness with a group of highly creative musicians who create a phenomenon bigger than themselves. A favorite part was Felder's recollection of how the music for "Hotel California" came to be at his Malibu beach house, and how Frey and Henley immediately recognized it as the band's future signature song. The highlights and the lowlights (the drug addictions, Joe Walsh's rehab, etc.) are compelling reading.

Why not five stars? Sometimes Felder's passivity is frustrating -- griping about slowly being eased out of an equal partnership by manager Irving Azoff and Henley/Frey over the years and constantly putting up with it was a sad spectacle, although there can be no doubt that Felder is a very rich man following his lawsuit. Also, a lot of the groupie sex and more outrageous conduct of Frey and Henley appears to be watered down (conspiracy theory: perhaps The Gods fought him in court for years on the details in the book and Felder simply took a lot of the juicy parts out?)

Nonetheless, the writing is crisp and the history moves at lightning speed -- it provides insights to this spectacularly successful supergroup previously unavailable elsewhere. Well worth the money and time.

I could not put this book down. I'm a HUGE Eagles fan, so I was eager to get a first-eye look behind the scenes, but I got MUCH more than that. Don's life is aww-inspiring. Growing up dirt-poor and following his dream of being a rock star, only to have that dream squashed by those egotistical bastards Frey and Henley (or "The Gods" as they were known) who hired him to help make their music more relevant in the first place.

Felder has one hell of a story to tell. An absolute MUST for any Eagles fan.

Poorly written. If he had help writing this book it does not show in the text.

It's sad to read this account by such a talented guitar player.

I regret reading this book.

A great insight into how a rock band operates and how personalities and fame effect individuals. Answers a few questions as to why the comeback and then so quickly disbanded again. I thought it a very good read.

I am stunned more people don't know about this book. I found out about it while watching the Don Imus show on RFD-TV.

Felder is an immensely gifted musician who lifted the Eagles to another level with his multi-instrumental virtuosity--his contributions are obvious during the MTV 'Hell Freezes Over' tour special. It must have been sheer magic to hear them live when Bernie Leadon was in the band with FElder. To quote an LA native, "...you had to be deaf and blind not to see how good they were." The duets with Joe Walsh are immortal, culminating in what is probably the most famous guitar solo waxed on American soil--'Hotel California.' The genesis of that song was riveting--Felder spelled it out in black and white and the group's talent and songwriting abilities (and excesses) are bared for all to see, as is Bernie Leadon's legendary departure from the band.

One of several stories which stood out for me was Felder's visit with his dad. Standing there trying to explain who the Eagles were. His dad was more concerned with the electric bill than anything else. True old school and a great glimpse of Felder's life. Same with his story about visiting his mom and offering to buy her a new house. Just priceless.

The main thing I took from this book is how glad I am that he has emerged from the debacle with some semblance of an intact family. Any musician who can say that their families have survived that lifestyle can truly say they have accomplished something.

I'm not even sure where to start with this review and I'm giving it 5 stars because when the Eagles were at the height of their popularity, I was busy raising my kids and listening to their great music while I cleaned the house and did laundry. I never had time, nor did I hear of the tensions that went on behind the scenes with the greatest American band ever, so this book was a real eye opener! From the 3E parties to the antics of Joe Walsh, I thank Don Felder for enlightening me.

But, I'm sorry to say, Felder just doesn't get it and I think he may have been less than honest with with a few things that just downright bugged me. Please bare with me while I get a few of these things off my chest!!!!

Felder really rubbed me the wrong way when he started complaining that his wife of 29 years had made a career for herself and wasn't paying enough attention to him. What did he expect? He was out on the road for how many years (cheating on her to boot) and then became distraught because she made a life for herself and didn't have time for him? What is up with that???? And then he dumps her over the phone? I have to agree with another reviewer here, me thinks Felder already had Kathrin Nicholson waiting in the wings!

And then we have Felder whining and crying about not getting that equal share in the profits. What he fails to understand is that "The Gods", not so much Frey, but definitly Henley, were the two original band members who not only wrote those hauntingly beautiful lyrics, but also sang them! "Hotel California" wouldn't have been the hit that it was without the words that took us to another place in our minds and the soulful voice of Don Henley! Do ya get it Felder? And if you were so unhappy with the way the business was being run, why did you beg "The Gods" and Irv Azoff to take you back???

I went and saw the Eagles California Farewell Tour a few years back! Don Henley and Joe Walsh stole the show and Felder's replacement, Steuart Smith, was just as good, if not better than Felder. After finishing this book, I keep getting this strange feeling that "The Gods" just got tired of Felder crying the blues about the money and decided to cut him loose.

But to Don Felder's credit, he was pretty fair with his portrayal of "The Gods", gave me some good insight into the music business, made me laugh out loud with his Joe Walsh tales and and didn't do the continual name dropping like so many other celebrity authors are doing these days, thus the the 5 star review.

I've always liked the Eagles, have always heard or read that Frey and Henley were a-holes and figured I'd learn a little bit more about that, which I did to some extent. Seems that Frey (the far lesser talent than Henley) is the biggest punk of them all, BUT, during and after reading this I couldn't help but feel like Don Felder is the biggest wimp in the world, I mean how many times did he mention crying in the book, tears and weeping. C"mon man, you're a guitar player and WE GET IT, you wrote the music for Hotel California (not the words nor the imagery), but after a while get a clue dude. I'm actually surprised Glen and Don put up with him as long as they did, Tim and Joe got it, go with the flow, play your parts to perfection, collect check, or DON'T. Felder could've said "um no thanks to this deal" any time he wanted, but kept playing and whining and playing and whining and then they boot him out and he comes RUNNING back like the little b*tch that he is, ready to agree to any of their terms. Its ridiculous for him to think he's as important as "the Gods", if you're so important write some songs (you obviously don't sing), instead of sitting around and waiting for Glen and Don to and then wanting to be an equal, and then moping about why you're not considered an equal. Would've been nice to hear more of the goings on, like how they came up with songs from the onset but this book, it seems is pretty much a therapy session where we're supposed to feel sorry for Mr. Felder, (who, speaking of what a wimp he is, calls off his marriage of 29 years over the PHONE, and calls out his buddy Joe Walsh because Joe just wanted to take the deal offered and play, without all the hassles, sorry for making a living, Don). Your new girlfriend IS a hottie though, I'll give you that, and I'd bet anything that relationship started way before you called off the marriage. Oh and nice teeth, and fake tan. Okay I think I'm reviewing Don Felder, the person, more than the book, but ayyy so be it.

OK, once i got my hands on this, I could not put it down...I don't recall the last time I read a book so fast.

I am a HUGE Don Felder fan. I'm also an Eagles fan. Being a musician, I can see both side of the story...I'm just sorry it ended the way it did...it made the last time I saw the Eagles a bit bittersweet. I loved hearing the songs - but hated seeing someone "cover" his guitar parts.

If you like the Eagles & Don Felder - it's a must read.

Mark

Don Felder was the main guitarist for the Eagles since the early 70's until 2001 and the composer of one of the greatest hymns in rock music "Hotel California". (and explains how he did it !)

Well written and a nice reading, Don Felder explains his wild side on the road in the 70's as much of the super rock groups of that era, putting on evidence who was the principal in charge of that big wave of fame in a group like the Eagles and the egos and personalities of each one of the members.

I liked the way he explains the way they choose the songs and the recording process of albums like Hotel California and The Long Run that took many rolls of tape and hours and hours of studio to sound the good as they are.

Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)
I really enjoyed reading this book--in fact, I am now reading it for a second time. It has really been amazing how little has been known about the inner workings of the Eagles--particularly the firing of Don Felder.

In reading the book and listening again to the Eagles recordings, it becomes more apparent how important Felder's guitar work was to giving the Eagles their edge. It is a band with great vocals, lyrics, and songs, but Felder's guitar work made them something special. This is notably true on "The Long Road Out of Eden." The edgy guitar work is missing, particularly Felder's slide work.

What is particularly appalling, however, is the confirmation that Henley and Frey are such dispicable people. Felder was fired because Henley and Frey wanted more money. It wasn't enough for them to have nearly all of the songwriting royalties, they wanted the lion's share of everything. Schmidt and Walsh caved to them, Felder started asking uncomfortable questions, which he was right to do. The Eagles were a partnership--with two of the partners effectively stealing from the others.

Henley's reputation as an outspoken critic of corporate greed makes all of this even more heinous. It is a shame, but sometimes bad people win. I'll bet the lawsuit cost them plenty....

A well written reminiscence by Don Felder... his story from childhood to national fame to being disinherited by the Eagles . An amazing behind the story story for any Eagle fan. Yet another fantasy blown ! So much for the life of rock stars... guess it's better to just listen to the music and not know about how disfunctional the rich and famous can be ! Fortunately it sounds as if he got through to the other side. Good for Felder !

I really loved this book! Got it yesterday and read 3/4 of it soon as I got it...quitting only because it was 3 a.m... and my eyes were sleepy! Lot of it has been reported on Henleys and Freys Egos and all...but this was even more of an insight into....how greedy they really seemed to be. I could have read more...wish he'd gone into even more detail...but of course "THE GODS" sued to keep a lot out of it! hard to believe they could become one of the greatest band ever.amonst all the acrimony, etc.!Really an enjoyable read!

Don Felder rose from near poverty to become guitarist in one of the most popular bands in the 70's. His new book HEAVEN AND HELL chronicles how he became a guitarist, met Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green, Duane Allman and other important guitarists, developed his skills and ultimately became one of the guitarist/songwriters in the Eagles. Felder was first introduced to Henley & Frey by his future and former Eagles bandmate Bernie Leadon who was a friend. Interestingly, Felder also played at one time in a band with Stephen Stills although he never tried to use that connection when he got his first big break backing David Blue and, later, Crosby & Nash.

Felder's book is surprisingly even handed given the recent bad blood between Don Henley & Glenn Frey and Felder over his firing from the band. Felder ultimately had to take his former bandmates to court since he was a part owner of Eagles, Ltd. the company the band set up to pay out their royalities and handle merchandising. While there's no doubt that "The Gods" (as Felder refers to them when, later in the band's career, they suddenly became perfect and untouchable in their own eyes)are talented, they gave Felder a raw deal considering how much he did contribute to the band. Nevertheless, Felder manages to be fair balanced and brings up both the good and bad times. Ultimately, he feels that his sacking from the band was a benefit because, as his estranged wife pointed out, he was locked in an abusive relationship at the end of the band's rein.

Felder provides details about the creation of many of the band's classics, how the band really was a "one for all and all for one" at first when he joined but that the fighting and bickering had already begun as well. He also chronicles how the Eagles managed to bruise and damage his friendships with former bandmates Joe Walsh and Tim Schmit.

Kudos to the book's co-author as well for helping Felder create a breezy memoir about his life in the fast lane. The book does have some flaws for example when referring to "On the Border" the book states that Henley & Frey wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 14 songs on the album (there were only 10 songs on the album and Henley co-wrote 5 while Frey co-wrote 4). I suspect that during the galleys this got overlooked but there are bits and pieces that have minor inconsistencies. The authors also thank Marc Elliot for his book TO THE LIMIT which was written with participation of Don Henley to clear up some issues as well. Elliot's book, along with this one, provide a good clear idea about the band's rise and fall from the heights of rock stardom.

It's a pity that Felder was sidelined as he is a talented guitarist and songwrite but this book does address some of the questions that lingered around his dismissal.

This truly is Felder's inside perspective on being in one of the most popular bands of its time. I would have liked a complete discography on Felder's career and, perhaps, to have also heard a bit more about his post-Eagles life but those are minor issues in the context of the thing.

He gives the real story...the stories about how the songs were conceived, recorded, and of course the stories about the road...all delightful reading..I highly recommend for any Eagle fan who wants to learn the inside scoop about the band and it's members...!!

First off, Felder has written (with help, admittedly) a very enjoyable look into the life and times of one of America's last great rock bands. Days when musicians depended on talent and not computer samples to create songs, and when being able to carry a tune with your voice wasn't such a liability as it is nowadays.

Secondly, it is an eye opening and fascinating look into what happens to insecure people with huge egos once they come into money, and lots of it. By this I'm speaking about "The Gods," Don Henley and Glenn Frey. At one point late in the book, the band is on tour in (memory fails me, but I think) China, and Glenn Frey instructs a lackey to overnight him a couple of cartons of his favorite cigarette. The lackey is summarily fired - because he shipped Frey SOFT PACKS instead of FLIP TOP BOXES. My jaw literally dropped when I read that. If that's what happens to you when you get rich and famous, I'm glad I am neither.

Having been (somewhat) in Felder's shoes, where people I trusted and thought of as friends suddenly threw me under the bus and had convenient amnesia as to my contributions to their success, I can relate to his story. Frey and Henley welcomed Felder into the band whole-heartedly, calling him Duane Allman incarnate, (which he is), and then set themselves up as the Supreme Dictators Of The Eagles, wrapping themselves in their own cloaks of superiority and fired Felder only when he asked to see the books of where the money was going.

I also cannot believe that Irving Azoff is actually still in business, the way he "managed" both Felder and "The Gods," yet was nothing more than a highly paid lapdog of Frey and Henley, screwing everyone else around him.

I'm afraid I've digressed, but it was a very intriguing book, one that I found hard to put down. If you're at all a fan of the band's music, and especially if you've read "To The Limit" by Marc Eliot, you'll find it incredibly enjoyable.

I read about "Heaven and Hell" in a British magazine before the book was published in the United States, and I knew I had to pre-order it. It was worth the wait. As mentioned by another reviewer, this book makes an excellent companion piece to Marc Eliot's "To the Limit." I've read all four Eagles biographies that I know of, but those two are the best.

"To the Limit" gives a great overview, and "Heaven and Hell" gives an inside look from Felder's point of view, plus later details not covered in "To the Limit."

Once the book picks up speed, it's hard to put down, even if you've read the other Eagles biographies. Felder seems like a nice guy; of course, I guess most people would present themselves as such in their autobiographies. However, since he's pretty frank about himself and others, he may indeed be as decent as he seems.

I think Felder is an immensely talented guitarist, and he does have the right to stick up for himself and the other lesser-known Eagles -- and he seems to really be the one member who most transformed them into a rock band (right in the middle of "On the Border").

Still, I'm not sure why he doesn't seem to realize why Henley and Frey demanded and got top billing when the reunion rolled around. Not only did they have the most successful solo careers, they were the primary songwriters, the primary singers on the hits (except for "Take it to the Limit" and "I Can't Tell You Why"), and they are the only two members of the band to be there from the beginning to the present. That said, it's a shame they carried on without him, and none of the Eagles books paint Henley or Frey in a very favorable light. With Henley's gift for writing and reputation for speaking his mind, you have to wonder if he'll ever decide to tell his version of the Eagles' story.

From a writing standpoint, the book is well written, except for the occasional times where it drifts from practically perfect prose to occasional profanity. When those instances occur, the reader is reminded that there are two people writing this book -- Felder and Wendy Holden. Better are the majority of moments in the book when the writing seems neither poetic nor profane -- just telling it as Felder remembers it. That's when you forget it's a book and you just become immersed in the storytelling, which to me is the mark of a great autobiography.