LIFE by Keith Richards and James Fox

LIFE is the memoir of the greatest rhythm guitarist to walk the face of the earth. All parts of this book are filled with interesting and exciting detail. And, even Keith's reconstruction of his early life is thoroughly captivating, and this is usually not the case in most biographies. I thought the most innovative section of the book is the handling of his legendary addiction to drugs and alcohol. Most biographies take the, "I was lost, and now I am found" approach. However, Mr. Richards maintains that he was never lost. He says that he never had a drug problem, he had a police problem. And, he seems to believe this without a shred of irony. This point of view is anathema to all the tenants of Addiction Therapy, yet Keith does not back down. Also, his relationship with Mick Jagger is dealt with in an inimitable fashion. I guess you could deduce that Keith sees his lead singer as a 'mate', but not a friend. He doesn't particularly like the man, but he has the greatest respect for what they have achieved together. This is one of the best Super-Star biographies that I have ever read, and I think that it would even delight and entertain readers who are not fans of The Rolling Stones.