• It's So Easy

  • And Other Lies
  • By: Duff McKagan
  • Narrated by: Christian Rummel
  • Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,875 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
It's So Easy  By  cover art

It's So Easy

By: Duff McKagan
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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

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

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

What listeners say about It's So Easy

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,519
  • 4 Stars
    296
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,255
  • 4 Stars
    338
  • 3 Stars
    82
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    9
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,396
  • 4 Stars
    246
  • 3 Stars
    49
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This book just may save a life.

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A very inspiring memoir from a rockstar

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

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

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

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

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pleasantly surprised,not just a rocker story!

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jr
  • 02-22-17

Great book!

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Read!

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Just the high level

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Down to earth

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing story!!!

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Rock and Roll and OK

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

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

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

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

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

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

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

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

Any additional comments?

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

loved the book. great stories and well written.

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful