No One Here Gets Out Alive Mass Market Paperback – September 1, 1995

I had read this when it first came out amid the mojo rising-morrison is still alive hysteria. I enjoyed it then as I did the Doors music so I decided to read this book again 38 years later. This is a revised edition with a new foreword, epilogue , video list, new photos and updated discography and book list. As a younger reader I remember thinking that Morrisons' drunken antics were funny and cool, now I view it more as a waste of talent. Jim Morrison was an intelligent sensitive man who seemed to have a problem with authority and was always pushing the limits. I find it strange that upon the release of the Doors first album and the ensuing fame, he claimed his parents were dead. He was a student of Philosophy and a constant reader who filled notebooks which became songs and poems. This book goes into detail describing the rise and fall of Jim Morrision and the Doors, his drinking, drug use and outrageous performances leading to his arrest and eventual conviction ,escape to Paris and his controversial death. Dying at age 27 Jim Morrison life and death is an alternately fascinating and sad tale. As you read it, you know the ending but you wonder what might have been if he had not been so self-destructive or had someone intervened.Jim Morrison and the Doors music lives on and they and him in particular left quite a mark on society. Unfortunately this story still occurs with other stars. Jim Morrison quoted the Philosopher William Blake, "the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." Morrison lived his life according to that quote, he tried to break on through to the other side but he left us way too early. Recommended.

I have not read any other bios on Jim although I know there are quite a few books on his life however, I believe this is probably the most accurate so far. I read this book a long time ago and I remember being mesmerized from the first to page to the last. Danny Sugerman (who worked for The Doors for a long time) was not an only an associate but a close friend to Jim and he was able to achieve what very few people ever could: Get to know who the real Jim Morrison was. This book not only talks about his life and career but also talks in great length of the human side of Morrison as well. NO ONE HERE GETS OUT ALIVE, is an almost day to day account of Jim's life from his birth to his untimely and very mysterious death in Paris in 1971. It also talks in great detail about his poetry and the things that interest him the most like films, psychology, philosophy, sex and death. This is a great read and is never dull or boring. The only downside to this book is that the print is too small. It would a good idea if they can publish the same book with a larger print. The book also includes several pages of photographs of Jim and the band and with the woman that he called his "muse" Pamela Courson who was Jim's girlfriend from the time that that the band was being formed right up till the end of his life. Again, I would like to say that this is a great book for anyone who has ever been interested in knowing about Jim Morrison, who he was and what he became and what most of all wanted to become. I highly recommended is a very good book about a man an artist who died way too young who lived life so on the edge that found life itself impossible to bare.

This biography was incredibly well written. Spanning the entire life of Jim Morrison, the book covers most sides of Jim Morrison's public (and private) persona. I walked away from Oliver Stone's 'The Doors' thinking that Morrison was an insane drunk who really didn't feel much love for anyone but himself. This book changed my attitude. Yes, Jim was a raging drunk who did some really stupid things, but there was also a human side to him...whether it was in quiet deep conversations with friends or getting Rolling Stone's tickets for one of his workers, Morrison did have a loving side to him.The book delves into his young life as an almost fatherless child. It talks a great deal about his literature influences at a young age...and when you read what his influences were you start to understand his music more. The book covers the start of Morrison's musical career as well as his career in poetry.I especially loved the pictures scattered throughout the book...there is a section in the middle of the book of glossed pages full of pictures, as well as tons of photos throughout the book itself. Through these pictures you really see the physical toll that alcohol was taking on him during his short time of being a 'rock star/poet'Another great feature of this book was that I came to learn that Jim was more of a poet than a rock star. He was a great performer but was sick of it...He wanted to be poet first and foremost.Anyways, to anyone even remotely interested in the Doors, I 100% recommend this book. It is well researched and well written, and shows a side of life most aren't accustomed to.