Rating: 
Summary: poorly written with almost no insight into Layne Staley
Review: A few times while reading this book I had to tell myself that I was not reading a 5th grade book report. The writing is that bad. There is no information about Layne since he was basically a recluse for the final months/years of his life. So all you get are tales from his mother and sister from his childhood like how he liked to play with legos.(literally) Lots of big print, pictures, and other fillers allowed me to read this in about an hour. Desperate to fill space, the author even allowed John Brandon, who wrote a book on AIC bassist Mike Starr, to print songs he wrote as a tribute to Layne in the book. That was probably the funniest part. Completely a waste of good trees.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, to say the least....
Review: I found this book incredibly disappointing. If you are a true AIC fan, like myself, this book is quite an insult. There is little useful information about Layne, the band, or the music. It is poorly written, turning completely away from the subject to describe the writers own personal challenges in life. In this already too-short book, almost 2 chapters are dedicated to a history lesson, and another is dedicated to explaining herion use to us all. The writer never actually interviewed Layne except for over the phone, where he told her that he hated journalists, and didn't support the writing of the book and never planned to read it himself.
Rating:
Summary: Reading this book is like dumpster diving...
Review: You have to wallow around in a lot of garbage to find any gems worth taking home with you.I posted a scathing review of this book, chapter-by-chapter, on the Sony Alice in Chains board (The Wouldshed) a few weeks back, and unfortunately it was far longer than this 1000-word limit will allow. It is the job of the author to not only thoroughly research her subject, but to also interview EVERYBODY involved and take all the raw material she gathers and polish it into something that is coherent and readable. Rubio failed abysmally on all counts. Her writing is at the elementary school level at best, very melodramatic with long, rambling transcriptions of Layne's mother and sister talking on tape. Rubio wanders all over the place, including a bunch of nonsense about Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Chinese Astrology (Layne and Kurt are fire goats, Jim is a water goat, and this supposedly explains everything!), rambling tales of her own grandmother's goats, her battles with anorexia nervosa, and last but not least, her dog, named Layne, who takes part in her family's impromptu memorial service for Layne when they are informed of his death via an e-mail from Layne's mother, Nancy. Incredibly, she also includes a chapter about the book "Unchained," written about former AIC bassist Mike Starr by another groupie/wannabe songwriter, John Brandon. I don't know who's worse, Brandon or Rubio. How on earth do these people get publishing deals? In addition...unless everything said about Layne's dad is true and verifiable, if I was him I'd be consulting an attorney about suing Rubio for defamation. Phil Staley is never interviewed to either confirm or deny his alleged behavior, or even explain himself at all. This is sloppy, lazy writing - if indeed "writing" is the proper term to use, here, and Rubio should hang her head in shame for contributing to Layne's pain and misery toward the end of his life, and for causing his family even more pain as well as embarrassment to boot. I don't believe for one minute that Layne wanted to talk to Rubio. The two transcripts (which I suspect are from one single phone conversation) of him supposedly talking to her reveal that he felt pressured into talking to her, and he finally caved in just to get her the hell off his back. It was good to see that he hadn't lost his scathing wit toward the end, however. More than once he told her she should write a book about herself. Given the way Rubio injects herself into this story practically every other sentence, it seems she took his advice, dragging him along for the ride so it would sell. Don't waste your money on this birdcage liner (I didn't - a friend who had pre-ordered and regretted it as soon as she read it loaned it to me specifically so I could do a thorough review for the Wouldshed gang). It's a shame that this man who we so admired for his ability to plumb the depths of human misery so eloquently is being immortalized in this pulp-fiction trash (complete with poorly reproduced photos that look like photocopies) by a woman who, though obviously a fan, couldn't write her way out of a paper bag. First Mustaine, now Staley. Equally bad results. Who's she going to harangue next?
Rating:
Summary: Angry Fan
Review: Garbage. The same author who wrote Dave Mustain's(Megadeath) book which he told his fans not to buy or read. The read seems self serving to me. Layne's mother, Nancy, was even dissapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: I Just wasted $...
Review: Please do not make the same mistake I made. If you care about AIC, you're not going to learn much more from this book. This author is a Wack Job who wastes 1/2 of the book talking about herself and her opionions rather than any factual information. Trust me, not worth your money, time or effort.
Rating:
Summary: Grasping at Straws
Review: I was horribly disappointed in this book. I feel the author had great intentions in putting this together, but given the bands lack of participation in interviewing, this book has nothing to it. Half of it is pictures or other inserts with little insight to the heart and soul of Layne Staley. I found it to be quite boring with little substance. In fact, on page 57, the author discusses the single written for the last action hero soundtrack "What the Hell Have I?" Only problem is, the author calls the song "What the Hell I Have?" I find that to be a problem. If I were writing a book about a celebrity, I would make sure I got the names of songs correct. This book is nothing more than an overhyped disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION, WOW
Review: What in the world was Layne doing those last six years? What was he thinking? Why did the band members keep telling us he was just taking a little break for a while? I'm furious!!! This book explains it all very well. I sure do feel sorry for him though. This book really showed me who Layne really was deep down. I always wondered why he had such strange, memorable music and now I know. The truth is hard to swallow but this book really makes sense. Wow, Layne spoke just before he died. That makes for a very interesting ending...when you know it's coming and you can hardly wait to get to that chapter to find out the ugly truth. I give this author an "A+" for effort and an "A" for her content and writing style. Definitely a book worth reading and a great explanation of who Layne Staley was as an artist and a human being. I still can't believe he's gone. But at least I know he's out of his personal pain. We'll all miss his music...
Rating:
Summary: Angry Chair: Possibly the Worst Book I've Ever Read
Review: Instead of writing a detailed and intellingent explanation of why this book is absolutely horrible, I will simply provide a list of superior "Rock Bios" with great hope of providing anyone who wasted their time reading this piece of junk with some meaningful studies of the creation of music and the development of artistry, and with greater hope that the so-called author of this "book", Adriana Rubio, will take the time to read something worthwhile and, by the grace of God, learn something that will prevent any further disgrace not only to the fans of the subject she might choose, but, to the writing world as a whole.
1. 5 Against 1: The Pearl Jam Story, by Kim Neely
2. Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia, by Robert Greenfield
3. Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band, by Scott Freeman
4. The Phish Book, by Richard Gehr and Phish
5. Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana, by Micheal Azerrad
Rating:
Summary: *YAWN*
Review: I realize Adriana is going to read this review, but I must be quiet honest. First, I don't understand why the family supposedly withdrew support for this book after it was published. If anything, it's severely complimentary to the memory of Layne Staley. Maybe that's the big problem. The book NEEDED more input from others outside of Staley's family, such as the members of Alice in Chains-but they were hesitant (not surprising with their track-record) to help out the author. Maybe I went into this book looking for more "dirt", no pun intended. This book's perspective was seen through the eyes of the author a little too much for my tastes and that's why there is seemingly a backlash against her for being more of a rabid-fan of Layne than a serious author. I'm even wondering if there is any validity to Layne's supposed phone call to Adriana where he states that the members of AIC are no friends of his. Was it a last-ditch effort to put something "shocking" in the book?
If you are wanting to experience a true autobiographical experience of Layne Staley or the band, purchase their box set, Music Bank, instead. It's just a few more dollars and it'll be listened to alot more than this book will get read!
Rating:
Summary: Deeply Touched by Layne's Heart
Review: I really wanted to know who Layne was and this book gave me the info I needed to work it out. The Author treats Layne respectfully...as any other reporter did before. Good research, pretty inside. I was deeply touched by Layne's heart.
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