The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music

This book is divided into five main parts, with a total of 24 chapters, and about 376 pages in the digital versionIn the Introduction, Grohl describes an epiphany he had when he realized how he wanted to age: “I would celebrate the ensuing years by embracing the toll they'd take on me.” He also explains that his memory is triggered by sound, and his recollections of the events in his life are mostly centered around songs, albums, and bands that he was apart of.From the very beginning of the book, Grohl's ability to eloquently communicate his experiences is on full display. Perhaps this should not be surprising given his years of songwriting, but I was still impressed with his ability to produce such well-written and evocative prose. Songwriting skills don't always translate to being able to write a book, but clearly Grohl can do both.The first part of the book covers several different topics. Grohl discusses his daughter Harper's interest in learning to play the drums, his own memories of going to Jazz clubs as a child with his mother, drum lessons from Lenny Robinson, and his daughter Violet's first musical performance. He recalls his first romantic heartbreak, he remembers getting hit in the head with a golf club as a child, breaking his leg after stage diving during a show, the influence of his “ultra-cool” cousin Tracey, and his habit of playing percussion with his teeth.The second part continues with memories of Grohl's early music years. He covers the influence of the punk band Scream, his decision to drop out of school, early days on tour with Scream, meeting and playing with Iggy Pop, adventures in Amsterdam, and joining Nirvana. He remembers the early days with Nirvana, playing Saturday Night Live and breaking a drum stick, and the feeling of the three members of the band slowly drifting apart...Part three has chapters that discuss Kurt Cobain’s death, the death of Grohl's friend Jimmy Swanson, playing with Tom Petty, early Foo Fighters memories, and the birth of his daughter. . In part four Grohl covers talking to President Bush, psychics and dreams, going to jail in Australia, the birth of his daughter Harper, an intense workload, meeting the Obamas, having chest pains, and meeting other music icons like Paul McCartney and Elton John.In part five Grohl covers some of his later experiences, including his daughters' conversation with Joan Jett, a commitment to a daddy-daughter dance, the musical ability of his daughter Violet, and flashes of some of the most pivotal events in his life.Overall I enjoyed reading this book. I was impressed with Grohl's writing style, and he includes so many wild and hilarious stories about his life. I also appreciated all of the pictures that he includes throughout the book, as they show what he looked like during the time periods that he is describing. I think that fans of Grohl's will really enjoy this book, and even if you aren't familiar with his work at all, you can still appreciate some of these incredible stories.

The other five-star reviews capture the eloquence, energy, and passion Dave Grohl leaves on the pages of this eminently readable memoir. I really couldn’t put it down, which is saying something for me as I don’t usually find biographies and autobiographies to be page-turners. Also, I really enjoyed his stories about his kids and his tributes to his mother. Loved it!But I want to mention something that, for me, was a big missing piece, which was a description of the beginning of putting the Foo Fighters band together. Dave leaps from the intermission between the end of Nirvana to suddenly the release of FFs’ second album and world tour. How did FF come together? He mentions the band members at the end, almost as a tribute (which moved my review from a 4- to a 5-star), but I really wanted more insight into the origins of the Foo Fighters. I guess that’s my own personal obsession, and shouldn’t distract from the joy of reading this wonderful memoir. Congrats, Dave. It’s a great read. If this rock star thing doesn’t work out, you have a career as a writer.

You wouldn't think a huge rock star/legend like Dave Grohl could write a book that you would read and nod your head to on every page turn, but Dave wasn't born into stardom. He grew up just like most of us in GenX and his stories are relatable because we've all been there. His take on life and what matters to him is inspirational and I have to think it's a big reason for his success. It's not what drove him (except to shove it in Sandy's face, and we all have had that dream growing up), but the passion for music and life. The best guitar is not the pristine one in the case but the worn one that has a story to tell because it was used in life. Dave is very much on his way to being the used guitar with the patina, but that's the one I would want in my collection every day because it outshines the one in the case in ways that aren't so obvious. Thanks for writing this story and I look forward to following all your next set of adventures in life! Thank you too for giving us all years of joy and emotion through your music. You make life worth getting out of bed for and living as we all write new pages in our own books with your tunes featuring prominently in the soundtrack of our lives.

I feel terrible for writing this since I am a huge Dave Grohl fan and find him extremely gifted, authentic, generous, etc… The book felt a tad juvenile and over exuberant in describing seemingly basic stories. I’m only on page 50 and not sure I can muscle through the rest. I thoroughly enjoyed his interview with Howard Stern and his storytelling is far better when he breathes life into it through his verbal words rather than his written ones. I gave it 3 stars because he’s still God like in my eyes.

So I may have a little thing for rock musician biographies. I’m kind of fascinated by their lives and inspirations, what moves them and influences their music… and there’s one memoir in particular I’ve been hoping to read for what seems like forever. Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller. I am a HUGE fan, and have been since the very first time I heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on MTV. And yes, I may have preordered “The Storyteller” before I finished reading the press release announcing it. So you might think that my review is a little bit prejudiced -- but truthfully, he has earned every one of these stars with this well-written, completely absorbing memoir. You’ll cheer for him as he realizes his dream of becoming a touring musician, cry with him as he loses friends, family, and bandmates, and share his wonder at the incredibly blessed life he has led.The Storyteller is jam-packed with non-stop story after incredible story, and yet will still leave you wanting more and more… just like a great Foo Fighters concert. Don’t miss it!“Someday I’ll have to tell you the rest.” Oh, Dave… Trust me, we’re going to hold you to that promise. 😉

My Day couldn't have got any better when I finally received this book. I have been so excited to read it and now the time has come and I started reading Dave Grohls stories. Reading the first few Pages describing situations from his early years starting on the drums and his children. This is not supposed to be a spoiler I am just absolutely in love with his writing. To be honest if you love this man as much as I do, you will not be disappointed with this book. I am about halfway through and I will probably have finished it by tomorrow. And then I will read it again. Because I want to hear these so personal stories again. THANK YOU Dave for this. I feel like I know you, as if you were my family. And I will appreciate this with all my heart and soul. "I'm lookin' to the sky to save melookin' for a sign of life lookin' for somethin' to help me burn out bright. " x[Edit:Read it and I'm reading it again.. just a pleasure imagining Dave in these situations of his life. I am a happier person]

As an avid fan of rock autobiographies, this book was a good read but is only as interesting as the subject of the book. Granted that Dave is a nice and a good-hearted guy who has done amazing things and met amazing people, but he goes on about how the universe fell together for him and repeats himself throughout the book about how thankful he is to his mother. Personally I got a lot more enjoyment out of Ozzy Osbourne’s and Anthony Kiedis’ books due to the debauchery, over-indulgence, and knowledge of their imperfection and limitations. Yes this is Dave’s life and no-one else’s but if you’re looking for funny and otherworldly anecdotes I would look elsewhere.

Couldn’t love this guy more. Very interesting, down to earth and genuine.

Arrived on Tuesday in perfect condition. Started reading immediately and forgot to come up for air. It's been a while since I was totally immersed in a book but you can't help it. The writing and stories are so wonderful that you get swept along with it. I laughed, I cried and I gasped in shock/awe/horror (depending on the chapter). I think even people who are not familiar with his work (is there anyone left out there who doesn't?) will enjoy this book. From humble beginnings to rock super stardom, what a journey he's been on, and now we all get to go along too.

There's a saying that goes something along the lines of "if you've not got anything nice to say about someone, better to say nothing". Never before have I seen that principal applied so thoroughly to an autobiography. I'm not saying that's necessary a bad thing, but I did feel a little short changed on the whole Nirvana story. People close to that story (such as Courtney Love) were a little conspicuous in their absence.That minor gripe aside, it's clear Dave has lived a blessed life and has taken advantage of many of the amazing opportunities that came his way. Ultimately, you have to admire him for that.