Overview

Life and How to Live It is a raw and deeply personal memoir by Philadelphia native Chaz Holesworth, charting a life defined by urban grit, unyielding resilience, and the quest for redemption. From his earliest memories amid the tough neighborhoods of Philadelphia, Chaz paints a vivid picture of a world where the harsh realities of poverty, family dysfunction, and street life intertwine with moments of unexpected beauty and humor.Born into a tumultuous environment, Chaz's early life is marked by the struggles of a fractured family and the pervasive influence of a city that is as unforgiving as it is inspiring. Raised in the shadow of broken homes and a legacy of addiction, he finds himself caught between the destructive cycles of his upbringing and the hope for a better future. The memoir does not shy away from exposing the darker corners of his past-tales of drug abuse, familial betrayal, and the raw impact of societal neglect-while also celebrating the moments of profound connection and unexpected joy.As Chaz matures, his journey becomes one of self-discovery and transformation. Despite the chaos surrounding him, he learns to harness the very forces that once threatened to break him, channeling his experiences into a passionate advocacy for social justice. Whether it is his commitment to championing workers' rights or his fervent support for animal welfare, every page is imbued with a deep sense of purpose. His narrative is punctuated by the soulful rhythms of live music, the escape found in travel, and the simple pleasures of life, such as savoring a well-crafted beer, all of which serve as reminders of the enduring human spirit.At its core, Life and How to Live It is not just a recounting of past hardships but a testament to the possibility of renewal and the power of hope. Chaz's unfiltered storytelling challenges conventional notions of survival and success, inviting readers to confront their vulnerabilities and embrace the unpredictable journey of life. His voice-honest, irreverent, and unapologetically authentic-resonates with anyone who has ever struggled against the odds, making his memoir a stirring call to live life on one's terms, no matter the obstacles.Ultimately, this memoir stands as a bold declaration of resilience, a candid exploration of identity, and an inspiring manifesto for transformation in the face of adversity. Amid the turmoil, Chaz found solace in music, drawing strength from the poignant lyrics of R.E.M. and the emotional resonance of Tori Amos. Music became more than a passion-it was a lifeline that carried him through his darkest days. Alongside the healing power of music, Chaz found light in the form of friendships that blossomed into an unbreakable family of choice. With an unflinching honesty, Life and How to Live It explores the raw, often painful truths of Chaz's past while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, this memoir offers a profound message: no matter how dire the circumstances, there is a way to overcome, persevere, and find meaning in life.

Full Product Details

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Table of Contents

Reviews

Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin is the first volume in the life story of Chaz Holesworth. He was born and raised in some unusual and unique circumstances; he was raised by a heroin addict father and a born-again Christian mother in the slums of Philadelphia. They were dirt poor growing up and had gangs and drug dealers on every corner. This story is to show some of the horrific things that happened to him and how he overcame them and kept moving forward. On his journey of survival, he found his most important outlet in music, especially the music of R.E.M. and Tori Amos. He also found comfort in friends who became like family to him. His memoir is both heart-warming and heartbreaking at times. He hopes to inspire others who may be in dire circumstances to rise above and succeed. Reviews Holesworth's intimate debut, the first in a multi-volume memoir, offers a document of a youthful reckoning, charting his school years in the chronic town of Kensington, in northeast Philly, in the 1980s and 1990s, where he found secular salvation in the music of R.E.M. The child of an addict (his father) and a born-again Christian (his mother), Holesworth attended Baptist schools that offered ""a make-believe education"" that stamped out ambition and creativity. In a childhood of poverty, abuse, and crime, alternative rock's breakthrough to the mainstream offered Holesworth new models of living, especially in the form of R.E.M. singer/lyricist Michael Stipe. Holesworth first hears ""Losing My Religion"" on a jukebox-the very title jolted him. What follows is a classic tale of clinging to something new like a life raft and looking to artists for cues about exactly what's promised by the book's title (and the eponymous R.E.M. song). It may be hard to imagine, today, that loving so humane a band could have been a source of controversy. But Holesworth touchingly recalls hiding tapes from his mother and warnings that he might be beat up for loving ""gay"" music. (He was chased for plenty of other reasons already.) Brightening the gloom of Holesworth's life of rage, depression, and cutting was Stipe's deep empathy and commitment to communicating sentiments that matter: ""He told the listener that everybody, including himself, hurts, and they're not alone,"" Holesworth notes. Holesworth's storytelling is fast and concrete, though it lacks the polished scenecraft of the best memoirs, and he lets the material sprawl, often without a strong narrative thrust. Still, survivors of the era will appreciate accounts of Lollapalooza, making sense of Monster, feeling deeply shaken by XTC's ""Dear God,"" and discovering and losing Kurt Cobain. Those public moments are as deeply personal as accounts of teen jobs, running away, relishing mix tapes, and daring to make a bold (yet likely hard to parse) statement on the last day of school. To his credit, Holesworth never talks around a problem or skips the part about love.

Author Information

Chaz Holesworth, a proud Philadelphia native, has always been shaped by the city's grit, resilience, and undeniable spirit. Born and raised amidst the vibrant yet challenging realities of urban life, Chaz brings a unique perspective to his writing-one that is deeply authentic and profoundly moving.Now living in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his loving wife and their cherished dog, Chaz continues to draw inspiration from the world around him. A passionate advocate for social justice, he is deeply committed to championing the rights of workers and animals, striving to make a difference in the causes closest to his heart.In addition to his writing, Chaz enjoys immersing himself in live music, exploring the world through travel, and savoring a well-crafted beer. These joys fuel his creativity and reflect his zest for life, even in the face of adversity.Life and How to Live It is Chaz's literary debut-a deeply personal memoir that invites readers into his world and offers a message of hope, perseverance, and triumph. With his gift for storytelling and a voice that resonates with raw emotion, Chaz is poised to inspire and connect with readers everywhere.

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