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Summary: Straight dope from the source.
Review: This is the inside story from one of the main contributors to jazz as we know it. Some of the facts and his attitudes may be unpleasant, but he was looking back on his life and career with candor from his perspective. He does knock some other major talents, like Bird, Trane and Art Blakey, by detailing his off-stage interactions with them, but that shouldn't detract from anyone's appreciation of their musical accomplishments. They were musicians; what else does anyone expect from them? Besides, he admits that he was pretty sleazy and unreliable while he was a heroin addict, too.This is priceless jazz history with a level of first-person intimate detail that critics and academic scholars can't offer, albeit colored with the bias of a competitive personality. It's the closest one can come to sitting down and having a long chat with him. Jazz fans should be grateful that Miles had a chance to tell us how he really felt before he left this plane of existence.
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Summary: Miles in his own words
Review: To me, the best type of book is one where someone can tell it in their own words. This is what Miles Davis does to the T. There were times when I would be laughing nonstop because I could picture him saying these things right in front of me. He could cuss like none other, but it brought more authenticity to the work. He had a lot of respect for his peers, like Dizzy, Charlie Parker, and Coltrane to name a few. He had a DEEP respect for the history of jazz and wanted everyone to know that blacks deserve just due for really setting jazz music off. His knowledge of music, period, was unreal, especially now, because it seems that is what is LACKING BADLY with musicians of all genres today. He also speaks about other subjects, such as racism he encountered while in the business, his parents, siblings, and others. He also was his toughest critic, whether it came to his music, his dealings with women, other musicians, and drugs. All in all, Miles Davis was a dynamic, flawed, and an important figure in music history, and his story should be read by anyone who is a fan of music or who is a fan of a good story altogether.
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Summary: A Must Read!
Review: Truly one of my favorite books of all-time. It's a poignant narrative into the life, times and music of one of America's greatest artistic treasures, Mile Davis. After reading the book, I have not only a better understanding and appreciation for his music but also a greater sense of his personality and temperment. In short, it's a must read for every fan of jazz or pop culture.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good and interesting
Review: When I first read this book, I was instantly drawn into this book, I am very interested in jazz. To read this book helped me to broaden my knowledge of the jazz era. It has everything about Miles, because he wrote it. He has a lot of interesting stories. It also talks about other musicians. Bird, Diz, Coltrane, and Herbie Hancock. It is the definitive book on the bebop and funk eras.
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Summary: Miles lets his beautiful but imperfect soul speak.
Review: Wow! I recently inhaled this book and felt obliged to review it. It is captivating and unapologetic, even brutal at times... and REAL... I loved it for this. Great works of art can easily appear larger than life when they are displayed in museums or remastered in handsome packaging for the world to enjoy... It's easy to be rightfully consumed by their beauty and forget the harshness of life that beats down on us all (artists included). Miles Davis's music for me is the ultimate escape... the ultimate adventure into a relaxing, interesting aural universe. So I must admit it was a quick jolt to the system to read autobiographical tales of neglect, addiction, jealousy, financial stuggle, broken relationships, boastful egos, clashes with authority, poor health, disposable relationships and racial unrest in the United States... the writing here is REAL. The 400+ pages here have potential to "push buttons" and have you shaking your head in disbelief. In today's homogenized Brittany Spears world of image obsession and greed, it's a pleasure to read a book by someone who just "doesn't care". Miles lets his beautiful but imperfect soul speak. I wouldn't want to read otherwise.
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