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Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood
Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood | Danny Trejo, Donal Logue
For the first time, the full, fascinating, and inspirational true story of Danny Trejo's journey from crime, prison, addiction, and loss to unexpected fame as Hollywood's favorite bad guy with a heart of gold. On screen, Danny Trejo the actor is a baddie who has been killed at least a hundred times. He's been shot, stabbed, hanged, chopped up, squished by an elevator, and once, was even melted into a bloody goo. Off screen, he's a hero beloved by recovery communities and obsessed fans alike. But the real Danny Trejo is much more complicated than the legend. Raised in an abusive home, Danny struggled with heroin addiction and stints in some of the country's most notorious state prisons, including San Quentin and Folsom, from an early age, before starring in such modern classics as Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, and Machete. Now, in this funny, painful, and suspenseful memoir, Danny takes us through the incredible ups and downs of his life, including meeting one of the world's most notorious serial killers in prison and working with legends like Charles Bronson and Robert De Niro. In honest, unflinching detail, Danny recounts how he managed the horrors of prison, rebuilt himself after finding sobriety and spirituality in solitary confinement, and draws inspiration from the adrenaline-fueled robbing heists of his past for the film roles that made him a household name. He also shares the painful contradictions in his personal life. Although he speaks everywhere from prison yards to NPR about his past to inspire countless others on their own road to recovery and redemption, he struggles to help his children with their personal battles with addiction, and to build relationships that last. Redemptive and painful, poignant and real, Trejo is a portrait of a magnificent life and an unforgettable and exceptional journey through tragedy, pain, and, finally, success that will transfix and inspire.
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JoeMo
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Pickpick

I‘ve always respected Danny Trejo with how grateful and kind he seemed in interviews and with fans. He‘s even more amazing than I thought. This man could have easily died or ended up spending the rest of his life in prison. Instead, he kicked the addictions that were destroying his life, has since served to help others get and stay clean, and lucked into one hell of an acting career. His story is inspirational and has something for everyone!

Reggie He came on Rupaul‘s Drag Race as a special guest at the end of one of their challenges and it just made me love him even more. He was riffing and using catch phrases from the show and not taking it serious. What a cool guy. 13mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 13mo
TieDyeDude Such a good listen! 13mo
41 likes4 comments
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TieDyeDude
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Pickpick

I knew Danny Trejo has lived an eventful life, but there is so much more to his story than a synopsis can do justice. I had no idea the personal and financial hardship he was in while in the prime of his Hollywood career. His work with recovering addicts is so important. The best parts for me were when you can hear the joy for life in his voice, considering he has made a living being the tough guy. Highly recommended!

SamAnne There is a really great Fresh Air interview with him. 13mo
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DaniJ
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Pickpick

Incredible story! He‘s so bad ass and resilient. It‘s beautiful how he created a life from so much adversity. Hooked on heroine from 12 years old and now one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood, Danny Trejo brings humour and a punch of reality to the very tragic reality of addiction. Listen to the audio book!

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mrp27
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#adventrecommends

I don‘t often do audio books nor am I a huge fan of celebrity memoirs but the tagged audio book read by Trejo was outstanding. He is not the greatest narrator or writer but his life story is remarkable. What an inspirational and powerful redemption story. Audio version also has some anecdotes the book didn‘t. I was a fan before and now I‘m a super fan.

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MaggieCarr
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Book Bites with Maggie: Season 3, Episode 18
The Bars That Confine Us
Find the full vlog here: https://fb.watch/fq9edT23Oq/

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IamIamIam
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I never thought I'd have much in common with Danny Trejo, but we have both been told to work slower by our municipal co-workers!!! The main difference is that I haven't threatened to beat anyone with a shovel... but I might have pictured it in my head... 🤫🤫🤫

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Skyrimir
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This has been both a hard listen and a hopeful one. While his personal life seems messy his life of helping people in recovery once he found sobriety isn‘t. I‘m only halfway, but I am glad I picked this one on a whim. I don‘t know a lot about the actor and his story is a captivating one.

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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/yJokgYenLLE

Enjoy!

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puzzledbooks

They say we‘re as sick as our secrets.

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Amoon
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Pickpick

We‘ve seen him in many movies, TV shows and commercials but never knew the backstory of this amazing actor. Born into a family of criminals and drug addicts, it was only a matter of time before he became an addict, criminal and prisoner. Danny‘s faith in God was the turning point that gave him the strength and determination to go clean. I don‘t think he had formal training to be an actor but it didn‘t matter.

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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧 Autobiography narrated by the author.

This guy has led an interesting life and ultimately feels like a good guy.

A cautionary tale? It felt honest and heartfelt. And boy he seems to have spent a lot of time in jail!

He‘d be interesting to have a conversation with. Multiple partners, illness, ambivalent parents, 3 kids, multitude of jobs and an extensive film career!

Great read!!

Book 9/10 of my #sharreadathon books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

UwannaPublishme This one is on my list too! 🙌🏻 2y
30 likes1 comment
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kyraleseberg
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Trejo is a memorable actor and his life is absolutely fascinating! Just now hearing about his brief time with Charles Manson in prison 😳

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MaggieCarr
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Pickpick

Wow. Just wow.

Bigs88 Maggie! You read this? I‘ve been working on it for a while 2y
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bio_chem06
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Obviously, this was going to be a great read.

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bookish_wookish
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Library hold is in!

I had to wait for the library to order this one!

SamAnne There is a great interview on Fresh Air with him. 3y
bookish_wookish Ill have to check it out! @SamAnne 3y
39 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Pickpick

LOVED it!

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick This is one I hope to get my boyfriend to listen to, as well! 3y
Tera66 I pre-ordered this but haven't started it yet, I'm so glad everyone seems to be liking it. 3y
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rather_be_reading
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Book 128

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GerardtheBookworm
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Pickpick

Former drug dealer and convict, Danny Trejo turned from inmate to Hollywood actor and businessman (Trejo's Tacos) in this openly raw and honest memoir. A true Hollywood rags to riches story.

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Tiffiney
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Pickpick

His life is a great story to tell. Time in prison, heroin addiction, dysfunctional relationships…then sobriety, redemption and fame. I listened to the audio, which is read by Trejo himself. He sounds like a guy that‘s, well, reading a book…so I had to up the playback speed in order to not get annoyed 🤷🏼‍♀️😆 Great read…I highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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BethM
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I was in a Mexican Mafia training today which led me down a few wormholes. I think I‘m going to need to read this now.

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