Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It

This book is a hard one to review because it reads like a self help book but I picked up more of a self realization for Nick in the pages of the book. He talks a lot about his drug and alcohol history and the steps he had to take to overcome it and while none of it was new information, it was interesting to read it from the perspective of the addict rather than some "expert" on the issue. While I personally have never had a drug or alcohol addiction, the majority of my family has so it's easy to understand what he is speaking about. Though I find it interesting that while he does delve into the issues he has with his family, and accepts partial responsibility for those issues, he doesn't clarify the role his drug and alcohol abuse played in the strained relationships with his family. In my experience, the addict often doesn't realize the toll that their addiction takes on those around them. When the nosedives happen, it's always because of something someone else has done or a perceived wrong done to them. Nick does acknowledge that he was the one ultimately responsible for his actions and the unfortunate outcome.Throughout the book, I felt that Nick was being too hard on himself. We are always our worst critics but Nick needs to take a step back and realize that all these things that he thought was so horrible, really weren't. For example, he speaks of the movie he did a while back, Sleepy Hollow, and how horrible his performance in it was. The movie itself certainly wasn't A level material but I liked it. In fact, we have it on DVD and my kids watch it all the time. He writes about the time period around his solo album, Now or Never, as if he put a piece of garbage on the market. The album itself was actually pretty good though I would agree with his opinion that his promotion for the album wasn't his highest point. We went to see him on the Wayne Brady show during that time and you could tell he was burning his candle at both ends. Though, in his defense, he still performed well.I can't claim that I read every single word. As a non-addict, I did skim through a bit of the addiction information as it didn't really pertain to me. However, what I did like was the fact that Nick not only presented his drug and alcohol history honestly and brutally, he also backed up a lot of the assertions he was making about his process with legitimate research and facts. So many celebrities write these types of books like they are an expert and fans eat it up. Nick didn't do that. He wrote about the physical, mental, and emotional ailments that his substance abuse caused and he gave the reader the reason why. I was especially impressed with the valuable information he gave concerning mixing difference substances which then combine to create a third substance. A lot of young people have died because they didn't understand the dangers of mixing substances.At the end of Nick's book, he has a ton of resources for anybody going through the same type of issues he has. Wow, that made the book for me. Rather than doing the usual celebrity, "I am a survivor!" crap, he gave his readers a legitimate source for help. I applaud Nick for making sure that he provided a starting point for someone to get help.I can see this book being purchased mainly by his fans but it would be nice if it could reach a larger audience. I am the same age as Nick and he is correct when he writes that our generation is one of the most substance addicted. The majority of my friends are either addicted, recovering, or dead. A book like this, written by someone in our age group would be an asset to a lot of the people going through the cycle of addiction.Overall, yes, it is a good book. He doesn't spend the pages whining about what has happened to him but rather what he has done to stop playing the martyr. He clearly identifies his responsibility in what has happened in his life and the importance of getting over it, for lack of a better term. If what you are looking for is the inside story of BSB then you are going to be sadly disappointed but if you legitimately care about Nick and what he is trying to achieve in his life, then you will appreciate this book.

Great book if you have addictions or things you want to change in your life. I always liked the Backstreet Boys, along with my daughter, and it was so interesting reading about Nick's struggles, family problems and how he dealt with some pretty serious issues. Gave the CD to my NOW 23 yo daughter and she loves it. She said, "Yes, Mom, I STILL love the BSB's, thanks for the CD". Now Nick is married and a Daddy and I wish him the best in the newest Chapter of his life. ~Kath & Jenn

i think it bridges the gap between the closed circles of the celebrity world and the rest of the various factions of life. anyone who lives in the spotlight knows that they are up for a lifetime of media smear campaigns and tables being turned against you. it puts hard working artists at odds with the very people they are working for and trying to reach because their jobs are made impossible. unless someone from within the system speak up about it, we are doomed to losing some of the finest contributors to culture and society. in our resistance to change and insistence on clinging on to outdated conventional modes that no longer serve any function, we drive the pioneers of live to despair, and leave them to create a downward spiral of self-destruction, which is candidly addressed in this book. no one should have to get out of it alone. talking about it ensures safe passage back into the world, on more measured, equal terms. i do not think it is ethical for the tools that artists use to make a living, be used against them so that others can get ahead. who is protecting the artists and ensuring they receive their due, credit and rights? they are required to perfect an image, and yet we use the image game to throw them off. artists deal with sensitive subject matter in protected environments. we have to, as a community, make sure that we provide the spaces the artists need to be heard and understood, so that their messages are not used against thme, for financial gain.

This book was hard for me to read at times... because looking back and even now its hard to see pictures, video clips and things like that during his dark period in life... and now knowing what he was going through and what he was doing to himself... and not seeing the darkness hiding behind his eyes.I am so proud of Nick for writing this book because it couldn't have been easy but it is an amazing book and his tips for people going through the same or similar situations are real and he goes into things that people can do with or without the kind of resources he has/had available.This book will be hard for fans to read but it is worth it especially if you know of or are someone going through drug or alcohol problems.... or like me and nick where a loved one has already passed on due to those problems...Well done Nick!

Maybe I am used to reading more complex books; however, I found the overall writing style really basic. Perhaps like reading a book written by someone in high school. The tone comes across as very conversational. This is a stylistic choice, just not my taste. I know the author is not a writer naturally but I would have enjoyed it more if it flowed differently.

This isn't a normal autobiography. It's a great self help book taught through Nick Carter's lessons that he has learned through life. He does a great way of talking about how his life has affected his decisions to go to alcohol and drugs, and then how he over came them.

Inspiring to see how Nick handle his demons from his past mistakes and family issues. Drugs and alcohol have hurt and killed my family. Understand the demons he faces but encouraged he dealt with them and became a better person and role model. Very proud and happy he has found his true love and who encourages and loves the person Nick not the entertainer.Encourage everyone to read and reflect on their lives and set goals. Amazing when you set goal how easy it is to achieve them. Thanks for the reminder.

Very interesting book as a grown up as a Nick Carter fan. However I am very sceptical regarding the origin of the book and to be honest it looks like it has been stolen from a American library with all the stamps.

Being a BSB fan for almost 20 years I was really please to hear that Nick was writing a book. But it's not about what the BSB got up to, it's a very honest book about Nick's struggle with fame and family issues. I was really surprised with what I read but am very proud of Nick for being so honest with his fans. I think this book will shock many fans and make us all understand Nick a lot better.

As a fan of BSB in my youth, I was excited to purchase this book. Sadly, it is more of a self-help novel rather than the biography of Nick Carters life that I was looking for.There's very few snippets into the crazy life he's had which is a disappointment. If you're looking for a story of his life, watch the Dr Phil episode instead.

I read this book, after watching him on Dr Phil, (I was going to get it anyway, but had a few books to read first) So I started this book, and haven't put it down. Nick has been through so much, and I can honestly say, as a Backstreet Boys fan, I am proud of him, for telling his story, he is a true inspiration.

I`ve so enjoyed reading Nick`s book. I would recommend anyone having some difficulties in life to read it. It gives really good advice and helpful suggestions. Just goes to prove anyone can bring themselves through what they think is the worst time in their life. As Nick says in his book " if he can change his ways then you can too". Have faith and read this amazing book.