**On The Fence About This One**

I just read a quick review and excerpt from David Carr's new book. Carr is the media critic for the NY Times. His book is autobiographical. A memoir. To quote the beginning of the Washington Post story on the book,

David Carr's latest subject is a pathetic human being, a thug, a manipulative jerk who uses people and puts his own kids in danger. [...] He is unsparing as he rips the protective bark off his life, baring his past addictions to crack and alcohol and the utter depths to which he sank.

I am unsure how I feel about this "bares all" story. He says he did it in part to finance his daughter's college education. But there are a lot of people's lives exposes and wounds ripped open by the decision to publish this memoir. By all indications, he is harsh, but most harsh on himself. I think I am especially intrigued by how he learns his memory of events past is so completely wrong at times. Something we all should keep in mind.

I will probably read it as the excerpt suggests some fine writing. But will it just be a well written spin on a theme we have heard before? Is there nothing new in the story of redemption?

There is an except in the NYT magazine here.