Read this book as given a free copy from a giveway. I have previously read Natalia another of his books so reading his story of his life as an aspiring author was quite interesting. Not so much a book about struggle as he's never "starving" as the title may suggest, but more of the path he's chosen. Sometimes anecdotes don't really go anywhere and others he seems to try to compare himself to other authors such as Stieg Larsson (which he is not) and these prevent a higher rating. That said it is quite well written and above the standard of many free books I've read previously and I would read further of his works as he seems an interesting person. ( )

This memoir is the kind of travel writing that makes you want to throw a change of clothes into a backpack and join the merchant marine or take off to Tahiti to surf, just two of the adventures the author describes in his journey through life. Along the way he describes his struggles to make a living as a writer, illustrating with clarity the difficulties faced in living a creative life. Be warned, if you are a struggling writer yourself, this book will fill you alternatively with both despair and delight. If you are not a writer, you will still enjoy the author's adventures and the perspective he gives into a life unlike those most people have chosen to live. Now I need to check out the rest of his books, particularly having learned so much about the effort and love that went into them. ( )

When it comes to requesting a book to review there is always an uncomfortable level of uncertainty. You wonder if the book will be any good and/or if it isn't and you choose to be honest is the author going to put you in his or her cross-hairs? After a couple of those mediocre manuscripts you start to feel hesitant about signing up to review books, afraid you'll be submitting yourself to a round of self-induced torture as you attempt to plog through yet another badly edited piece of trash.

Since I had already submitted myself to several of those "books" I was naturally hesitant when it came to signing up to review more and I was on the lookout for something that was a safe bet. I couldn't be 100% sure but the memoirs of a man who was trying to eke out a living as a writer seemed like what I was looking for (at least there was the high probability that it would be decently well-written).

I am now 100% sure that requesting this book to review was a good decision. It is well-written, flows well, and will suck you in from the very first page. You will follow Mr. Rosenberg's journey from a self-assured college student to a man trying to find both meaning and income as he pursues his dream to be a writer. As someone who is also dissatisfied with society's definition of "success" and the course my life "should go" I found myself relating to his desire to not be confined and to chart his own path.

Mr. Rosenberg's 25+ years working away at writing projects seem to have paid off as I could not find any spelling or grammar errors and the story flowed well and didn't hiccup. In fact my only complaint has nothing to do with the writing but rather how he seemed to be pretty self-centered when it came to some of the women he got involved with. When he looks back he appears to regret it, which I'm glad for, but there were several times I wanted to reach into the pages and give him a good shake (maybe even a slap).

If you've ever wondered if the typical American life pattern (college, some excitement, then good job, marriage, kids, retirement, death) is really all there is or if you're cut out for it then this book is for you. And if you haven't, this book is still for you. It's both deep and full of adventure, you won't be sorry you picked it up.

Note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review. ( )