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Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain

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Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain Cover

ISBN13: 9780786884025
ISBN10: 0786884029
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

New York Times bestseller, now available in paperback.

"I am going to be a superstar musician, kill myself, and go out in a flame of glory." — Kurt Cobain, at age 14

This is the first in-depth biography of the troubled genius Kurt Cobain. Based on exclusive access to Cobain's unpublished diaries, more than 400 interviews, four years of research, and a wealth of documentation, Heavier Than Heaven traces Cobain's life from his early days in a double-wide trailer outside of Aberdeen, Washington, to his rise to fame, fortune, and the adulation of a generation.

Review:

"Remarkable....[A]s engrossing as a good novel, providing a glimpse into the rise and fall of this most unlikely generational spokesman." Entertainment Weekly

Review:

"Music journalist Cross treats the short, strange, unhappy life of musician Kurt Cobain with intelligence and an insider's perceptiveness." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"Cobain's story...sounds wholly ordinary....The many unenlightening observations are often painted thick with sensationalism; other times, Cross trawls the bottom for sources whose credibility and relevance are dubious at best." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"Probably too reverent for Nirvana nonfans, this is still a standout among rock bios and deserves its place in pop-culture collections." Mike Tribby, Booklist

Review:

"A powerful portrait." USA Today

Review:

"A fascinating read that manages to be respectful...and also critical. The short, unhappy life of Kurt Cobain now has its worthy biographer." Seattle Post Intelligencer

Review:

"The sordid details of Cobain's addiction and suicide and Cross's occasionally over-the-top dramatics are sometimes more than the reader can stomach, but ultimately this is a carefully crafted and compelling tragedy that serves as a necessary foil to Michael Azerrad's authorized Nirvana biography, Come As You Are." Library Journal

Review:

"A compelling new biography." The New Yorker

Review:

"A rich personal history of the tormented singer/songwriter...a much needed and clearer picture of this unlikely, unwilling rock god." Biography

Review:

"No other Cobain book matches Heavier Than Heaven for research, accuracy, and insider scoops." Mark Lindquist, The Seattle Times

Review:

"Written with a journalist's eye for riveting detail and a fan's heartfelt appreciation for Nirvana's music, Charles R. Cross's Heavier Then Heaven stage-dives headfirst into the heart, soul, and torment of one of rock's most galvanizing figures. Revelatory and moving, it's as essential to any rock-history bookshelf as Nevermind is to any CD cabinet." David Browne, author, Dream Brother: The Lives & Music of Jeff & Tim Buckley

Synopsis:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [367]-379) and index.

Synopsis:

This is the first in-depth biography of the troubled genius Kurt Cobain. Based on exclusive access to Cobains unpublished diaries, more than 400 interviews, four years of research, and a wealth of documentation, Heavier Than Heaven traces Cobains life from his early days in a double-wide trailer outside of Aberdeen, Washington, to his rise to fame, fortune, and the adulation of a generation.
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About the Author

From 1986 to 2000 Charles R. Cross was editor of The Rocket, the Northwest's highly regarded music and entertainment magazine and the first magazine to put Nirvana on its cover. He is the author/coauthor of three other books: Backstreets: Springsteen, The Man and His Music; Led Zeppelin: Heaven and Hell; and Nevermind: The Classic Album. His writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, Esquire, and Guitar. He lives in Seattle.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
pjpdxfan, September 1, 2011 (view all comments by pjpdxfan)
I originally wanted to read this book because of my awareness of Kurt Cobain's musical genius and the sadness of the life he cut short. However, Charles Cross surprised me in his ability to write a book that can be read effortlessly while simultaneously being taken on the emotional roller coaster that was Kurt Cobain's life. I was fascinated by this book despite it's sadness. It reminded me of driving by a car wreck on a free way- I just had look (or actually keep reading). Yet I still can't decide who was more fascinating, Kurt or Charles.
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ilymarky, April 14, 2008 (view all comments by ilymarky)
i think that this book is brilliant, although it has a few errors. i have been AVIDLY following Kurt's death and the years that followed, and i, too, have been led to believe that his death was a murder. This book, despite errors, is a MUST read for any good Nirvana fan, and i hope that the Kurt Cobain Murder Investigation gets reopened. Best of luck, Mr. Grant!
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heartagramgirl, July 24, 2007 (view all comments by heartagramgirl)
A very good book, perfect for a nirvana fan. It takes you through Kurt's whole life from his begining as a child, through his years as a troubled teen all the was through to his death. It really makes you feel like you know him. By far the best biography of Kurt Cobain i have read.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780786884025
Author:
Cross, Charles R.
Publisher:
Hyperion Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
United states
Subject:
Composers & Musicians - Rock
Subject:
Rock musicians
Subject:
Genres & Styles - Rock
Subject:
Composers & Musicians
Subject:
Rock musicians -- United States.
Subject:
Cobain, Kurt
Subject:
Biography-Composers and Musicians
Copyright:
2001
Edition Number:
1st paperback ed.
Edition Description:
TradePB
Publication Date:
August 2002
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
432
Dimensions:
8 x 5.1875 in 11.92 oz
Age Level:
from 18
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Related Subjects

Arts and Entertainment » Music » Genres and Styles » Rock
Arts and Entertainment » Music » Genres and Styles » Rock » Biographies
Arts and Entertainment » Sale Books
Biography » Composers and Musicians
Biography » General

Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$8.50 In Stock
Product details 432 pages Hyperion Books - English 9780786884025 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Remarkable....[A]s engrossing as a good novel, providing a glimpse into the rise and fall of this most unlikely generational spokesman."
"Review" by , "Music journalist Cross treats the short, strange, unhappy life of musician Kurt Cobain with intelligence and an insider's perceptiveness."
"Review" by , "Cobain's story...sounds wholly ordinary....The many unenlightening observations are often painted thick with sensationalism; other times, Cross trawls the bottom for sources whose credibility and relevance are dubious at best."
"Review" by , "Probably too reverent for Nirvana nonfans, this is still a standout among rock bios and deserves its place in pop-culture collections."
"Review" by , "A powerful portrait."
"Review" by , "A fascinating read that manages to be respectful...and also critical. The short, unhappy life of Kurt Cobain now has its worthy biographer."
"Review" by , "The sordid details of Cobain's addiction and suicide and Cross's occasionally over-the-top dramatics are sometimes more than the reader can stomach, but ultimately this is a carefully crafted and compelling tragedy that serves as a necessary foil to Michael Azerrad's authorized Nirvana biography, Come As You Are."
"Review" by , "A compelling new biography."
"Review" by , "A rich personal history of the tormented singer/songwriter...a much needed and clearer picture of this unlikely, unwilling rock god."
"Review" by , "No other Cobain book matches Heavier Than Heaven for research, accuracy, and insider scoops."
"Review" by , "Written with a journalist's eye for riveting detail and a fan's heartfelt appreciation for Nirvana's music, Charles R. Cross's Heavier Then Heaven stage-dives headfirst into the heart, soul, and torment of one of rock's most galvanizing figures. Revelatory and moving, it's as essential to any rock-history bookshelf as Nevermind is to any CD cabinet."
"Synopsis" by , Includes bibliographical references (p. [367]-379) and index.
"Synopsis" by , This is the first in-depth biography of the troubled genius Kurt Cobain. Based on exclusive access to Cobains unpublished diaries, more than 400 interviews, four years of research, and a wealth of documentation, Heavier Than Heaven traces Cobains life from his early days in a double-wide trailer outside of Aberdeen, Washington, to his rise to fame, fortune, and the adulation of a generation.
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