14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A well-researched and presented biography, 6 Aug 2002
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison (Paperback)
What I like so much about this book is that Jerry Hopkins shows determination to present as much truth as possible by considering and reconsidering the facts that he uncovered regarding Jim's life. He does this particularly well by presenting his findings and impressions on Jim's family life, Pamela Courson and the circumstances regarding Jim's mysterious death. Hopkins manages to stay clear from idolizing and inscribing Jim with projected fantasies of who he thought Jim was, and stays close to considering the evidence that he acquired from interviews with Jim and Jim's associates, along with other discovered facts.
My overall impression of this book is that it is definitely well researched. Hopkins truly attempts to give Jim a fair representation. He obviously wants to present the facts, but not in a manner that would disparage Jim in any way. Subsequently, Hopkins manages to stay adroitly clear of purulent interest in Jim's private life while managing to be informative. This is refreshing. Hopkins does not appear to be cashing in on Jim's fame, but seems rather totally committed to presenting a well-researched biography of an extraordinary man.
25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting sequel to his first book on Jim Morrison, 15 Sep 1999
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison (Paperback)
Jerry Hopkins espouses many new theories about Jim's drinking and his death. What struck me were the facts brought forth in the book about Pamela.
Pam was a heroin addict. Jim despised heroin. Pam has been quoted as saying she was tired of Jim. She drained Jim Morrison's finances with her boutique. She had numerous affairs until heroin became her true love. She died penniless, a prostitute, guilt ridden and selfishly kept quiet over her role in contributing to the death of the man she "loved." She left him to die in that bathtub in France, knowing he was ill, vomiting from the nose. She chose to sleep instead. She chose to bury the man she loved sans headstone, sans ceremony.
Want to read more? Buy the book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great primer for new Morrison junkies, 4 April 1999
By Greg Seupaul - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison (Paperback)
Hopkins gives a great synopsis of the life and time of rock poet Morrison. If you've read "No One Here Gets Out Alive" then you've read this material through and through, but the additional insights and the commentary on the Oliver Stone movie (including Hopkins' reactions to meeting Val Kilmer for the first time) are worth a read. Hopkins' style is fluid and easy to follow.