The Night of the Gun

A reporter investigates the darkest story of his life. His own.

By: David Carr

Narrated by: Charles Leggett

From David Carr (1956–2015), the “undeniably brilliant and dogged journalist” (Entertainment Weekly) and author of the instant New York Times bestseller that the Chicago Sun-Times called “a compelling tale of drug abuse, despair, and, finally, hope.”

Do we remember only the stories we can live with? The ones that make us look good in the rearview mirror? In The Night of the Gun, David Carr redefines memoir with the revelatory story of his years as an addict and chronicles his journey from crack-house regular to regular columnist for The New York Times. Built on sixty videotaped interviews, legal and medical records, and three years of reporting, The Night of the Gun is a ferocious tale that uses the tools of journalism to fact-check the past. Carr’s investigation of his own history reveals that his odyssey through addiction, recovery, cancer, and life as a single parent was far more harrowing—and, in the end, more miraculous—than he allowed himself to remember.

Fierce, gritty, and remarkable, The Night of the Gun is “an odyssey you’ll find hard to forget” (People).©2008 David Carr; (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Inspirational for writer neophytes, but hold onto your butts

I listened to “Night of the Gun” while vacationing in Costa Rica. The contrast of Carr’s life, and my charmed one, kept me in balance as someone who has ventured into the dark side, a time or two. His bountiful supply of adjectives, and gobsmacking verbosity prompted me to open a dictionary and put down the remote. What a staggering, and ultimately triumphant trudge through humanity of the beasts. Our paths crossed, no doubt due to our professions, the “80’s lifestyle,” and frankly, being residents of South Mpls. Wish he was still around to tell more stories.

Excellent for this genre

Reminds me of RED DOG" My Wild Life Growing Up in Oklahoma’s Rowdiest Strip Club
I like the voiceover and he sounds samey to David.
Well written and funny at times. he says of the powder usage "Its more like SCARFACE than STUDIO 54"
Yep, we get it.
I would see him weekly, dressed in a good looking dark blue suit and carrying plenty of street cred

Big respect to my friend David Carr a great example of whats possible in this world if you wanna try.
I do miss him
Thank you for all the words, talent, shares, tears and laughter
Mick brooklyn

Gritty & Gripping

David certainly knows his way around a metaphor - a well written, harrowing account of his life, more than just as he remembered it, enhanced by the gravely voice of the narrator.

Speaker needs big help!

Many names and places aroundminneapolis were Mispronounced. Poor job by the narrator. Come on, do your basic homework and get local names accurately pronounced. Good story by Carr, bad job by novice narrator!

Night of the Gun

Great story about a Reporter, (David Carr) who interviews friends and associates in an attempt to recall past experiences and events of his life when he was in the life (drugs, alcohol etc.) The narrator gives riveting descriptions and accounts of some of his trips to crack houses and his many attempts at rehab. A story not for the weak at heart, but a brave one in deed and told well.