I cannot recommend this book enough! I actually ended up listening to the audiobook, and while Trejo seemed to struggle reading a little bit, I felt the stories were so impactful in his voice, it was worth it. I'll be honest, I only recognized him from Spy Kids, and I chose this book after reading the "my life in crime" part of the title. I really wanted to know what he was up to before entering Hollywood.
The amount of times my jaw hit the floor and I had to stop what I was doing when listening cannot be understated. I was left speechless or gasping at so many parts of this book - especially the beginning parts regarding his childhood. Some parts even had me tearing up because it's just so *raw*. I'll be honest, I'm not a religious person, and I normally get annoyed at "let God" architypes, but Trejo did it in a way that didn't come off as pushy. He was stating what he believed and hoping others would believe it, too, but not being obnoxious about converting the reader. He just sounded so confident and healed from his past, while also acknowledging that he did some people so wrong and still has more to learn. Usually it takes me a month to get through memoirs, as I pick them up and put them down often, but I read this one in one week. Highly recommend, and I will be watching more movies with Danny Trejo in them!

I've always found Danny Trejo interesting. His life stories are compelling and it was fascinating reading about his trajectory to fame given his rough adolescence. CW: there are some graphic bits that involve violence that can be unsettling so tread carefully.

Holy crap! I knew Danny Trejo lived a life, but man, this was more than I bargained for. I say all this in a positive way. Trejo's unvarnished retelling of his early criminal life up to and including his Hollywood "redemption" is super compelling and puts you right there with him the whole way. It makes most celebrity memoirs look vapid in comparison.

Trejo is a good storyteller. His narrative is powerful and engaging. It is moving and interesting as well. For readers seeking an inspiring story of crime and healing, it's here. For readers who are fans of Hollywood, Trejo has plenty of interesting stories and anecdotes on films and film people he worked with and met over time. For readers who enjoy a good memoir this is definitely a great one.

Overall, this is an authentic memoir with raw power and mucho corazón. I am sure it took a lot for Trejo to share some of the things he shares, but I am glad he did. He offers a powerful story that is unique and yet it also conveys universal lessons for us all. For me, this is an inspiring book and a great read that I am glad to recommend to all readers. This is a book I would gladly put in readers' hands. On a final side note, I was glad to see recently that my local public library did order a copy of the book.

(Extended review on my blog)

Danny Trejo has lived a remarkable life. Listening to the audiobook as a reading companion, it was compelling to hear his story in his own words. Many people would have been unable to overcome such adversity; however, a life that could have easily ended addicted to drugs and in prison was transformed into one determined to do good, help others, become a Hollywood icon and make some great tacos along the way.

This book is raw, Danny doesn’t hold back as he tells his story. The truth, how he really felt about women in general, what he did wrong, what he did right. The audio of the book is read by Danny himself. I ended up speeding it up. I also read the book. It’s so good ended up buying it from Google play, and the print from Amazon. Then I found a signed copy on another site and bought it too. His story is one I wish everyone would read. It brings perspective to me that I never knew.

Danny Trejo has come very far from his childhood and adulthood life of crime and anger. It was refreshing and inspiring to read about a man who did not let his past define or stop him. Great book.

Danny Trejo is a Hollywood legend and has a story to tell. Reading this story, I could hear the voice of Manchette delivering a passionate redemption story to the reader from the heart. Full of laughter, fear, and hope, this is not one to miss! Trejo's audio version is a must, you can pick up on chuckles, anger, and wisdom in his reading aloud. 5/5

I was luck to receive an early ARC via Netgalley. This book has set a new benchmark for honesty and introspection in biographies. Not only was this a lesson in "Who is Danny Trejo?", it's also a sociological and history lesson on the underreported culture of where he grew up, and where and how he spent his time. I had to pace myself while reading it, else I would have blasted through it too quickly. Donal Logue has done an exquisite job of compiling and expressing Danny's life on the page. Although I read this on paper, I will be picking up the audiobook version as soon as it's available, to hear it all through Danny's voice.

Danny Trejo has lived many lives. I think he’s a great actor, but he hadn’t even started that life until after prison and getting sober. And that’s where his most important life starts – getting others sober and stay that way. As he keeps acting into his late 70s, he continues to sponsor people and help in his community. This was a fascinating read about the family he grew up in and how he figured out how to change is life as a sober community leader.

Being familiar with Danny Trejo as an actor, I heard his voice reading every page to me. It was really cool and kinda eerie. Much more detailed and graphic than I thought — Trejo’s book and his life story, kept me going back for more.

Extraordinary memoir of redemption, recovery and new beginnings. Absolutely riveting. I bought an additional copy on audiobook. I will recommend far and wide!

Very rarely do I read a book that leaves me speechless, completely in awe, and blown away. But Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood has quite literally taken my breath away.

The honesty and depth in which Danny Trejo shares his story is just unmatched. I love memoirs and read quite a lot of them every year, but never have a read a book like this before. I honestly don’t feel like this review needs be very long because the book really just speaks for itself. A book everyone could and should read.

One of my favorite books of 2021 so far. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would, but I guess I will have to settle for just 5.

I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from Atria Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Being a fan of Danny and his movies, I was awaiting the release of this book and boy was I in for quite the journey. Reading this book and hearing all that Danny has been through all of his life will make you admire him even more. From his time in prison, meeting a-list celebrities and legends to opening up a taco stand that has long lines everyday they are open is quite a feat and it takes a strong man like Danny to accomplish that. After reading this book, I felt more inspired to continue on my journey of hard work and going and getting the life that I deserve. I can't wait to see this book on the New York Times Bestseller List and hear the thoughts and opinions of our library community.

We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This is an excellent read, especially if you grew up with Uncle Machete in Spy Kids. This might not be the best flex to have on someone who is been in so many other films and is super talented in the industry, but I think it shows how much of an impact Mr. Trejo has had on multiple generations. Truly a great read.
(I also saw the panel he and Donal Logue gave at ALA21, which made me that much more eager to finish the book.)

Danny Trejo has always been one of those actors for me that I see on screen and say "Hey, he was in that one show.", but he never stood out as a favorite actor or anything.
After reading his story, he's one of my favorite actors because he's one of my favorite people. From prison to his first action movie, from heroin to helping everyone he can, Trejo is a great story of how not to act and how to look for redemption.

Danny Trejo lived a long, hard life - all before he was 25. A drug dealer and user, he ended up in some of the country’s most notorious prisons. After doing time in places like Folsom and San Quentin, Danny found the strength to come clean and sober with help from God. He didn’t grow up in a loving home, but always had lots of family around him who helped him… even when they were helping him find drugs and going on armed robberies together. Knowing he would die in prison if he didn’t change, Danny made a choice to live differently. He has helped open many recovery facilities in the San Fernando Valley and helped so many people kick their addiction to drugs and alcohol. When he was helping others, he was helping himself as well. Although he had troubled relationships with women and sometimes his children, Danny found a way to keep going. Through illnesses, his kid’s own drug problems, and acting, Danny found himself closer to God and farther from the life he thought he was destined to have.

This is an incredible story of redemption. There are times it was hard to follow as stories jump around and many people are introduced, but overall, definitely worth reading. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Danny Trejo recounts his journey from troubled childhood, through addiction and incarceration to sobriety, redemption and life in Hollywood. I'd seen Danny Trejo in many movies usually playing the bad guy who ends up getting killed but it wasn't until I saw him playing with puppies while giving an interview that gave a peek at his true self. While playing with those puppies (who he promised to find good homes for) his hard exterior melted away and he became a happy, young boy receiving unconditional love. As he recounts his life, he doesn't sugarcoat what he's been through and he takes responsibility for the choices he made. His unwavering dedication to helping others, whether they are recovering addicts, former inmates or the hardworking crews on movie and TV sets, is his key to staying happy and healthy. Although brutal at times, I'm very happy I read this book to learn more about this unique performer.

We've all seen him, now we can know his story. Danny Trejo, a man who went from the streets of Los Angeles to prison, and then on to movies to become the most killed man in America. Danny Trejo tells the brutal, true story of how he survived gangs both out and in prison, the life he was destined to live. How one relative can change the life of a young man and save him from himself. How each of us has more say in our destinies than we believe.

Danny's is a remarkable story of human survival, and the ability to change our lives and become something more. Told with honesty, brutality, and without shame, this is a story with heart.

Pretty much what you’d expect: moving, funny, and full of incredible stories (he was hypnotized by Charles Manson!).