Rating: 
Summary: Kurt Cobain did not commit suicide, and this book proves it.
Review: I know that at first it sounds like a typically wacky conspiracy theory; I refused to even listen to those who suggested that K.C. was murdered until very recently, when I read "Who Killed Kurt Cobain?" and then this book. Perhaps what is most important about this book is that it establishes that everything everyone thinks they know about K.C.'s supposed suicidal tendencies comes straight from Courtney Love. She's the one who says he tried to kill himself in Rome; she's the one who called the police and said that he was threatening to shoot himself, which Cobain denied. Once you realize that Courtney is constitutionally incapable of telling the truth, this case begins to look very, very different.The evidence in favor of Cobain's death being a homicide and not a suicide is overwhelming. It starts with two primary facts about his death: (a) the "suicide note" doesn't much resemble a suicide note at all; mostly it talks about his leaving the music business, and only the last four lines -- which seem to be written in different handwriting than the rest of the note -- indicate an intention to kill himself; (b) there was WAY too much heroin in his system at the time of death for him to have rolled down his sleeve, put away the drug paraphernalia, pick up the shotgun and shoot himself. These are only the two most immediately striking reasons for a homicide verdict; there are many, many more details that show that K.C. did not kill himself. Tom Grant's website, www.cobaincase.com, is a good intro to this case, but if you want the argument for homicide laid out in detail, buy "Love and Death". It will completely change the way you see Cobain, Love, and the music of Nirvana as well. I know it is hard to believe at first, but K.C. DID NOT KILL HIMSELF. The book makes this fact clear as day.
Rating:
Summary: The Other Side of the Story
Review: I loved Charles Cross's "Heavier than Heaven" but was always a little disappointed at the overly-flattering portrayal of Courtney Love in the book. This book is an important follow-up to the large collection of writings and film about Kurt and Courtney. I was a major skeptic about the murder theory, but I must admit this book has at least prompted me to think about the possibilities - and to become even more convinced that Love is a sociopath much like Nancy Spungen before her. Spungen's biography, written by her annoyingly self-righteous mother, was an eye-opener about anger, hate and mental illness hiding behind a contrived persona. In Nancy's case, punk rock provided an outlet for her hatred, and I think the same thing happened with Courtney. Some psychopaths enjoy great success by posing as the guy-next-door, copying the lifestyle they see around them. Courtney emulated her surroundings, the alternative music scene, in much the same way. Did it allow her to get away with murder? To accept the murder theory means to shift my opinion of Love from a pathetic wannabe to a brilliant manipulator. I am not sure I'm ready to do this...yet.
Rating:
Summary: The Other Side of the Story
Review: I loved Charles Cross's "Heavier than Heaven" but was always a little disappointed at the overly-flattering portrayal of Courtney Love in the book. This book is an important follow-up to the large collection of writings and film about Kurt and Courtney. I was a major skeptic about the murder theory, but I must admit this book has at least prompted me to think about the possibilities - and to become even more convinced that Love is a sociopath much like Nancy Spungen before her. Spungen's biography, written by her annoyingly self-righteous mother, was an eye-opener about anger, hate and mental illness hiding behind a contrived persona. In Nancy's case, punk rock provided an outlet for her hatred, and I think the same thing happened with Courtney. Some psychopaths enjoy great success by posing as the guy-next-door, copying the lifestyle they see around them. Courtney emulated her surroundings, the alternative music scene, in much the same way. Did it allow her to get away with murder? To accept the murder theory means to shift my opinion of Love from a pathetic wannabe to a brilliant manipulator. I am not sure I'm ready to do this...yet.
Rating:
Summary: Time To Put Courtney On A Stand
Review: I never knew about what really happened to Kurt before I read this brilliant expose. Wallace and Halperin are amazing journalists who doggedly pursued the truth in this unfortunate case. I encourage all Cobain fans to read this. And I encourage the Seattle Police to put Courtney in handcuffs, at least until she comes forward and tells her side of the story. For the sake of Frances Bean, this case must be reopened. Bravo Max and Ian!
Rating:
Summary: best rock conspiracy book ever!
Review: I read this cover to cover. Bravo to Wallace and Halperin - the Woodard and Bernstein of rock'n roll. Every music fan should pick this up. RIP Kurt.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! Explosive indeed!
Review: I received this book in the mail yesterday and I was up until 7am finishing it off. It is fascinating. Courtney's ruthlessness makes me sick to my stomach. I feel so bad for Kurt and how his memory is being tarnished constantly. I can't believe someone as unlikable as Courtney doesn't have more journalists digging into this case. I say we e-mail the Seattle Police Department. Something has to be done. This is an extremely convincing and well written book. They leave no stones unturned and interview everyone imaginable. Just to think that when Kurt was touring America in late 1993, his wife was sleeping with Corgan, Dando, and Reznor. Then around New Years Eve, she contacted a guy about having him killed and this guy passed a lie detector test administered by the top lie detector specialist in the country.. he administered one to O.J. Simpson in 1995. The lack of conscience is sickening the greed that motivated those to kill the leader of the band of my generation is definately a case that needs to be reopened and explained. Do it for Kurt's memory and do it for his daughter. This book will mess you up and in the end you will be restless with a need for justice and action.
Rating:
Summary: Correction in my review
Review: I said this in my last review:
"This level is enough to kill a severe 150 pound heroin addict three times over, but Kurt didn't weigh that much so in his case, the maximal lethal dose is more than three times. (82)" Correction: Kurt weighed less than 150 pounds, so the maximum lethal dose would be LOWER for him; his lower weight makes him more susceptible to the effect of high morphine levels.
Rating:
Summary: Hopefully this will convince the police to re-open this case
Review: I will admit that I was more than skeptical regarding the 'Kurt was murdered' theories when I began reading this book. I had read the Charles Cross biography and seen the film 'Kurt and Courtney' previously. My feeling was that although she may have consciously created an environment that allowed the suicide to happen, I didn't feel that she was directly involved. After reading this book, my opinion has changed. If one were to see the claims put forth in this book without context, I would expect the reaction to be one of incredulity. However the authors are incredibly meticulous with their research, and their claims are especially bolstered by the tapes of LA private investigator Tom Grant, the man hired by Courtney to find Kurt after he leaves the rehab center. The authors are conscious of the stigma applied to conspiracy theorists -- and they take great pains to sort out the credible witnesses from the ones that are self-serving or, sometimes, deliberately misleading. After reading Halperin and Wallace's findings, I am genuinely disturbed by the reluctance of the Seattle Police Department to re-examine this case. I would encourage everyone to read this book -- and make up your own mind. But if your exerience is anything like mine, you will want to write the Seattle Police and demand that they open a new investigation.
Rating: 
Summary: Mild conspiracy theory.
Review: I've always been slightly fascinated by the whole Kurt and Courtney fiasco. It's hard not to be since they're the John and Yoko of our generation, if you will. And there's nothing more fun than getting yourself a little conspiracy theory going about some famous person. So it was with interest i picked up this admittedly over-hyped book. And my conclusion - eh. Not very convincing and actually suprisingly uninteresting period. It seems almost entirely rumour and conjecture. It's like people looking really hard at something, trying to find "evidence" that they want to see, rather than something that is really there. And it seemed desperate and angry on some level too, more due to resentment at the woman's personality than anything probably. Being a wild character and making people uncomfortable isn't the same as killing someone. I think a much more interesting book would be about why there are conspiracy theories around these people's lives, or what cultural thing makes us so angry about losing an icon people need to desperately blame/hunt someone for it. Weird phenomenon, and a serious look into that would've made this whole book way more interesting. All in all, overhyped and rather bland as far as conspiracy theories go.
Rating:
Summary: Groundbreaking Investigation
Review: I've been a big fan of Halperin and Wallace for years. I remember when they shook the foundation of Concordia University. It's refreshing to see a major publisher like S & S publish these guys. They deserve it. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. Excellent and extremely compelling read.
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