"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"-- Raised in an abusive home, Trejo struggled with heroin addiction and did stints in some of the country's most notorious state prisons. Here he takes us through the ups and downs of his life. He reveals 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. Although he has inspired 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. Provided by publisher.

Prologue -- Part one: Escape. Soledad: 1968 ; Ninety days of freedom: 1965 ; Young men and fire: 1965 ; The right now: 1966 ; Help: 1968 ; Zip-a-dee-doo-dah: 1968 -- Part two: The right man for the job. Clean, sober, and scared: 1969 ; Familiar faces: 1969 ; Old rage: 1972 ; Una en la casa: 1975-76 ; The Trejo name: 1975 ; Third time's a charm: 1975 ; A secret unravels: 1978 ; Life and death: 1981 ; The fight with Gilbert: 1982 ; Danny boy: 1983 -- Part three: Inmate #1. Runaway train: 1985 ; Goodbye to another life: 1986 ; First class: 1987 ; Party of five: 1988 ; American me: 1991 ; Cell C550: 1992 ; Mi vida loca: 1991 ; The right thing: 1991 ; The fixer: 1995 ; Mrs. Finley's Amazon: 1996 ; Domestic life: 1996 ; Highs and lows: 1997 -- Part four: From a son. Machete: 2010 ; Double life: 2010 ; Worrying and praying: 2013 ; El padrino: 2014 ; Trejo's tacos: 2015 ; From a son: 2018 ; Danny Trejo day: 2020 -- Epilogue: May 15, 2020.