This is one of the best books I've read on Nirvana and/or Kurt Cobain. The author knew Kurt personally and professionally and he offers valuable, intelligent insight into Kurt's personality and worldview.
Unlike many, who were fooled by Kurt's insistence that he never actively pursued fame and fortune, Goldberg recognises the deep level of ambition that's clear in Kurt's personality if you research him much. Kurt was someone who thought carefully about his musical career and his strategy for success, and Goldberg illustrates this well.
He also highlights Kurt's moral uprightness, which was one of his best qualities, demonstrating the various ways Cobain and Nirvana showed their leftist political and moral positions and convictions through words and actions.
My only qualm with the book is that Goldberg openly sides with Courtney Love within the text. Honestly, I think he might be afraid of her. She is blatantly not a great human being if you ask most people who have actually met and gotten to know her (even Kurt admitted once that "her behavior is totally abusive").
This aside, you'll find this to be an excellent read no matter your level of interest in Nirvana and Kurt. It's a truly good read, generally, as well as a truly great rock memoir and a rare perceptive portrait of an important artist. 4.5/5 stars.
P.S. I feel the need to condemn the disgusting anti-semitism that's been slung at Danny Goldberg simply due to his last name. There are quite a few revolting remarks from neanderthals around the internet trying to trash Danny and this book for no other reason than his being a Jew. Some of these people might claim that it's because of Goldberg's support of Courtney, but then why bring the author's race into it? Ad hominem attacks automatically invalidate the rest of the "argument".
Unlike many, who were fooled by Kurt's insistence that he never actively pursued fame and fortune, Goldberg recognises the deep level of ambition that's clear in Kurt's personality if you research him much. Kurt was someone who thought carefully about his musical career and his strategy for success, and Goldberg illustrates this well.
He also highlights Kurt's moral uprightness, which was one of his best qualities, demonstrating the various ways Cobain and Nirvana showed their leftist political and moral positions and convictions through words and actions.
My only qualm with the book is that Goldberg openly sides with Courtney Love within the text. Honestly, I think he might be afraid of her. She is blatantly not a great human being if you ask most people who have actually met and gotten to know her (even Kurt admitted once that "her behavior is totally abusive").
This aside, you'll find this to be an excellent read no matter your level of interest in Nirvana and Kurt. It's a truly good read, generally, as well as a truly great rock memoir and a rare perceptive portrait of an important artist. 4.5/5 stars.
P.S. I feel the need to condemn the disgusting anti-semitism that's been slung at Danny Goldberg simply due to his last name. There are quite a few revolting remarks from neanderthals around the internet trying to trash Danny and this book for no other reason than his being a Jew. Some of these people might claim that it's because of Goldberg's support of Courtney, but then why bring the author's race into it? Ad hominem attacks automatically invalidate the rest of the "argument".
