Anger Is an Energy

My Life Uncensored

By: John Lydon

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 18 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

John Lydon is an icon - one of the most recognizable and influential cultural figures of the last 40 years. As Johnny Rotten, he was the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, the world's most notorious band. The Pistols shot to fame in the mid-1970s with songs such as "Anarchy in the U.K." and "God Save the Queen". So incendiary was their impact at the time that in their native England, the Houses of Parliament questioned whether they violated the Traitors and Treasons Act, a crime that carries the death penalty to this day. The Pistols would inspire the formation of numerous other groundbreaking groups, and Lydon would become the unlikely champion of a generation clamoring for change.Following on the heels of the Pistols, Lydon formed Public Image Ltd (PiL), expressing an equally urgent impulse in his character: the constant need to reinvent himself. From their beginnings in 1978, PiL set the groundbreaking template for a band that continues to challenge and thrive to this day while also recording one of the '80s' most powerful anthems, "Rise". John Lydon remains a captivating and dynamic figure to this day - both as a musician and, thanks to his outspoken, controversial, and from-the-hip opinions, as a cultural commentator. In Anger Is an Energy, he looks back on a life full of incident, from his beginnings as a sickly child of immigrant Irish parents growing up in postwar London to his present status as a vibrant alternative hero.

©2014 John Lydon (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A lucid, literate pleasure." ( Kirkus starred review)

Great bio

If you're a John lighten fan or a sex pistol fan this is a must read

Gotta love this guy

I didn't buy this book because I'm a huge John Lydon or PIL fan, I bought it because I have a genuine interest in this period of punk / post-punk or whatever one wants to call it. I also knew that John was a colorful character, so I figured this would be a fun listen.
I'm happy to say that the book exceeded all my expectations. John is very witty and extremely intelligent. Yes, he has a John-centric world view and shouldn't be counted on for an objective perspective, but he is Johnny F-in' Rotten!!! What else would you expect?

The main thing is that this book really makes me appreciate John Lydon a whole lot more. If you are at all familiar with him, and have any expectations prior to reading this, you're probably right. However be aware that you're in for the very best possible version of what you might already expect.

An Unexpected Place To Learn Life Lessons

I really enjoyed John's story, his sense of humor and viewpoint on life was warm and entertaining. It was a long book, but by the time it finished, I found myself missing out on what was next in his life.

I laughed a lot.

I Want To Marry John Lydon

Would you listen to Anger Is an Energy again? Why?

Yes! This is a totally engaging story and revisiting is something I do with all books I love.

What about Derek Perkins’s performance did you like?

I felt like I was listening to John.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the hours - yes!

Any additional comments?

Anger Is An Energy: My Life Uncensored - by John Lydon

I'll start by saying, I want to marry John Lydon- sorry Norah!. He's smart, funny, brutally honest, a godfather of Punk and just as wordy, creative, off-the-wall and ADD as I am.

I bought this book because Punk (Goth, Romantic) is my tribe and I cut my music teeth on Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones, Teenage Head. My parents are Led Zeppelin, Queen and earlier but the music that felt like my own was Punk and Alternative.

This book is the audio version, narrated by Derek Perkins and the overall feel is that you're sitting with John down pub and just chatting over a Guiness and a Strongbow (really Spellcheck? You don't recognize 'Guiness'?? SMH).

This is a fantastic backstory to all the was the Sex Pistols and PIL, in John's own words and it is insightful, informative, fun and ultimately relatable. John's narrative style is so easy on the ears and yes, I'm biased to the lilt. It puts paid to a lot of the rumours and stories that have circulated about him as a human and the rise and fall of SP and the various supporting characters in that world.

I recommend this for anyone who is interested in Music, Biography, Sex Pistols, Post-Punk Music and the music industry on both continents. Not to mention those of you who still wear 'stovepipes', love 'DIY' and remember 'if it ain't Stiff it ain't worth a fuck'. Oh! Also for those of you who see pictures of Mum with a blue Mohawk, a safety pin in her nose and are proud to declare "My Mum's a Punk Rocker".

~ Bloody learn to love each other properly

~ kei, the Eclectic Poet
9 December 2015

Eye opening!!

A wonderful insite to the man Lydon b3hing to Rotten persona. Just loved it! Nice work John!!!

completely honest

I love Johnny (Rotten) Lydon. He truly tells it like it is. A great listen about someone who refused to conform. much respect for this punk.

Much Love

I began listening to punk rock in the early eighties. This band had a poster on my wall and I listened to them over and over. Both the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. as well as other great bands.

Fantastic

Honest, heartfelt, intriguing and gloriously surprising! Totally worth a listen (or three) whether you're a fan of his art or newly discovering the magic and eloquent being that is John Lyndon.

Good stuff

Good stuff and good fun for all ages. Enjoy! Love. Good stuff. enjoy. Love love

Great read

As a life long fan of the Pistols and Johnny, I loved this book. Voice actor was great as well. He really nailed all of Johnny’s mannerisms