Heavier than Heaven

A Biography of Kurt Cobain

By: Charles R. Cross

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

When Kurt Cobain died by his own hand in April 1994, it was an act of will that typified his short, angry, inspired life. Veteran music journalist Charles R. Cross fuses his intimate knowledge of the Seattle music scene with his deep compassion for his subject in this extraordinary story of artistic brilliance and the pain that extinguished it.

Based on more than 400 interviews, four years of research, and exclusive access to Cobain's unpublished diaries, lyrics, and family photos, Heavier than Heaven traces Cobain's life from his early days in a double-wide trailer outside of Aberdeen, Washington, to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, success, and the adulation of a generation.

©2001 Charles R. Cross (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Definitive...Cross untangles the soul of a man." ( USA Today)
" Heavier than Heaven sets a high, new standard." ( Rolling Stone)
"One of the most moving and revealing books ever written about a rock star." ( Los Angeles Times)

Detailed biography with excellent narration

Extremely detailed biography from birth to unfortunate death and the narrator is very good for this material.

Wrecked

This was a very illuminating biography of one of my favorite musicians of all time. I was 14 when he died, and I was always curious to understand the full scope of who he was. Recounting his last days and his untimely death, I could not help but feel completely heartbroken not only for him but for his family and friends. I am a goddamn mess, as I think about how his father must’ve felt. How his wife felt, and of the idea of his only child growing up without him. Overall, this was just a very well researched biography, that told his story as it was; not as we wanted it to be.

All Nirvana fans will love this book

I greatly enjoyed this book. It is well researched and clearly presented. It paints a very clear picture of a man who was talented, but flawed, and gives all of the dirty details of his life with as much ferver as the great times and achievements of Kurt Cobain's life. I can only say I am sorry that he did not seek treatment for his depression. Too many people are not able to survive its ugly head.

Mixed feelings

I knew he was an addict; I didn't realize how early his pain started. I found myself angry at Kurt through a lot of the book. A lot of his lifetime stomach pain might have been alleviated with a change of diet, and yet he chose instead to medicate through heroin and other drugs.

I think that his stubbornness, his acting out, made me not like him as a person throughout the entire book. I don't think I could have been in a room with him for long.

That doesn't mean the book wasn't good, I just felt very frustrated that he was unable to overcome his problems. He clearly was an exceptional artist and mind.

It was particularly fascinating knowing what was going on behind the scenes during his rise to fame, since I was listening to their music at the time.

It illustrates clearly the idea that you can be on top of the world as a celebrity and be completely miserable. Money, fame, any of that won't solve your problems - it's said often, and yet this book gives you a play by play.

I wouldn't have changed lives with Kurt Cobain for a second.

In addition, I know this was a book about Cobain, but I kept wondering what the other bandmates were going through at this time. Perhaps they refused to talk with the author, but over and over I kept wanting to have a cup of coffee with the bandmates and hear their stories.

Great narration

Love Nirvana and blew through this in less than a week. You won’t regret the purchase!

I WROTE A BAD REVIEW.

I wrote a bad review about this book but I would like to say here, I was wrong as I had not finished it. This is one of the most in depth and revealing books on one of the most amazing souls of the last century. Yeah, Cobain was that big. I loved this book and appreciate the revelations about one of my heros. RIP COBAIN.

Simply amazing

A very heartfelt book that manages to really capture a true legend. Highly highly recommended

Powerful tale

This is not a happy story both in the rise to fame or the ending... but what would you expect from one of the most real people to ever grace the rock scene. If you want a fair assessment of the Life of Kurt Cobain this is it. Does not go into conspiracy side but there are lots of books on this alone. Well written and humanizing. #Dark #Addiction #Depressing #grunge #music #tagsgiving and #sweepstakes

Smells familiar.

My second look into Kurt's life. In the days of Nirvana I had a glimpse only of the 30,000 foot view. In 1989 I bought Bleach, and I was blown away. In 1991 the impression was one of disbelief that they'd evolved to a level many times better than Bleach. Nevermind was a masterpiece in my opinion. Having grown up in the 80's I was exposed to lots of Indy, and underground punk, and Nirvana were the best !
This book reveals a life lived by a person who severely needed lots of love and compassion. Not blaming his parents because after all how can a person predict what they're going to do to their children by their actions. Although I do blame his Mom some. It's just tragic though.

An amazing journey

Kurt Cobain came from a bizarre socially warped family. He was extremely talented yet could not shake his addiction. The book shows a young man's story that ends all too tragically.