The Collected Works of Jim Morrison

Poetry, Journals, Transcripts, and Lyrics

By: Jim Morrison, Tom Robbins - foreword

Narrated by: Jim Morrison, Liz Phair, Oliver Ray, Frank Lisciandro, Anne Morrison Chewning, Sefton Graham, Ian Morrison

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Performed by Jim Morrison, Patti Smith, Liz Phair, Oliver Ray, Tom Robbins, Frank Lisciandro, Anne Morrison Chewning, Sefton Graham, and Ian Morrison. Includes Jim Morrison’s final poetry recording, now available for the first time, at the Village Recorder in West Los Angeles on his 27th birthday, December 8, 1970.

The definitive anthology of Jim Morrison's writings with rare photographs and numerous handwritten excerpts of unpublished and published poetry and lyrics from his 28 privately held notebooks.

Created in collaboration with Jim Morrison’s estate and inspired by a posthumously discovered list entitled “Plan for Book,” The Collected Works of Jim Morrison is an almost 600-page anthology of the writings of the late poet and iconic Doors’ front man. This landmark publication is the definitive opus of Morrison’s creative output - and the book he intended to publish. Throughout, a compelling mix of 160 visual components accompanies the text: excerpts from his 28 privately held notebooks - all written in his own hand and published here for the first time - as well as an array of personal images and commentary on the work by Morrison himself.

This beautifully produced collectible volume contains a wealth of new material - poetry, writings, lyrics, and audio transcripts of Morrison reading his work. Not only the most comprehensive book of Morrison’s work ever published, it is immersive, giving readers insight to the creative process of and offering access to the musings and observations of an artist whom the poet Michael McClure called “one of the finest, clearest spirits of our times.”

This remarkable collector’s item includes:

• Foreword by Tom Robbins; introduction and notes by editor Frank Lisciandro that provide insight to the work; prologue by Anne Morrison Chewning
• Published and unpublished work and a vast selection of notebook writings
• The transcript, the only photographs in existence, and production notes of Morrison’s last poetry recording on his twenty-seventh birthday
• The Paris notebook, possibly Morrison’s final journal, reproduced at full reading size
• Excerpts from notebooks kept during his 1970 Miami trial
• The shooting script and gorgeous color stills from the never-released film HWY
• Complete published and unpublished song lyrics accompanied by numerous drafts in Morrison’s hand
• Epilogue: “As I Look Back”: a compelling autobiography in poem form
• Family photographs as well as images of Morrison during his years as a performer

Hear Jim Morrison’s final poetry recording, now available for the first time, on CD or digital audio book, at the Village Recorder in West Los Angeles on his 27th birthday, December 8, 1970. The audiobook also includes performances by Patti Smith, Oliver Ray, Liz Phair, Tom Robbins, and others reading Morrison’s work.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

©2021 Estate of Jim Morrison (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

THE TRANSPLANTED VENITIAN

Acid (LSD) WILL open your mind BUT drugs are better left for when we're DYING!

everything in one place

the great thing about this collection is that it gathers all his writings in one place. the one thing that takes away from this collection is that some of the readings do an injustice to the writings of Jim Morrison. the recording that he did of his own writing really convey the feeling and meaning of his words. but that is not a big fault because it is like that with any interpretation of poetry that is not your own. definitely recommend this to any fan of Jim Morrison and his writing.

After waiting for years…

Finally we have the complete works. This is absolutely perfect. Thank you to everyone involved in making this dream come true.

What we probably expected

Morrison undoubtedly had a driven mind and soul on fire with an outsize imagination which lived in a world of monsters, salesmen, dancing women and song. This collection is an atlas of his mind’s travels. There are love songs, poems and sea shanteys to accompany his travels real and imagined.

I can’t say that his poetry touched me as much as the dark power of The Doors’ music did, but there is much in it to assure me that they both arose from the same mind of a wild visionary. Four Stars ****.

Audible fails to include the accompanying pdf

Unfortunately for audible users the pdf which is meant to accompany this audiobook on other platforms is absent.

Get the hardcover

Sometimes it’s better to have the paper version. The Audible reading I think is just something to have in addition. The hardcover book version has photos, Jim’s handwriting and doodles. The poems are aesthetically arranged on the page. I’m going to treasure it.

WOW

This poetry compilation is almost more than one can bear-bare in one sitting.

can you imagine a Life's journey of Self analysis in all of (27) twenty seven years?

beautiful, emotive, authentic readings by each participant.

I will purchase the hard copy Book for my collection.

Love!

Loved this compilation. Jim Morrison was amazingly talented. So glad his work continues to be celebrated.

A remarkable talent

'Did you have a good world when you died? enough to base a movie on?' and 'The hitchhiker stood by the side of the road.'
So many amazing quotes in this collection. Some truly beautiful moments in this book. Having recordings of Jim reciting his own material really added to it, especially when he would throw in little melodies with them. Also of note was Patti Smythe's narration. As a poet herself, she really nailed it.
Thank you for putting this together Tom et al.

Hurts to listen

Go straight to Morrison readings, the rest is painful. I tried to listen while I was waiting for the printed book to arrive but It doesn’t worth even the trying.