Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix Paperback – Illustrated, August 8, 2006

When I realized the author wasn't even around during the time Jimi was playing, I almost wrote the book off on that basis. That would have been a huge mistake.My very special friend, Glenn, obtained two tickets to see Jimi at Madison Square Garden, and invited me along. The music was incredible. I still recall All Along the Watchtower, and much of what was on Electric Ladyland. The stage was in the center of the house and it slowly turned. To make things even wierder, tons of picture flashes continued to go off. I have often thought Jimi must have disliked having that stage turn and nothing being done about all the camera flashes, as though he was in the circus, and when the book got to that show, it confirmed my assumption.On a second occasion, with my same friend, we went to see what was billed as the "Festival for Peace" at Madison Square Garden, but fortunately this time, the stage was at the end of the floor and stationary. Jimi played just a few songs, and I was utterly blown away with a smile ear to ear. Wish you were all there, as attempting to explain that experience is impossible to do with words. After just a few songs, Jimi let his guitar fall to the floor and walked off stage. I never understood what the problem was, since he sounded amazing. The book touches on that show as well and provides insight.As I began reading this book, I was a bit turned off by all the detail behind Jimi's family, and very young years, but this detail proved essential in having a proper context to understand much that followed, choices Jimi made, and revealed Jimi the person, not the star.This book is an excellent place to start, or finish, for that matter, for any one looking to read about Jimi. So many people that knew Jimi particularly well, have been extremely generous to share such intimate details. This book pulls you in, bringing the past into the present leaving you feeling as though you were there, during each step of the journey.The details in this book are just incredible. The time Jimi spent in England, personal relationships, friends, fans, fellow muscisians sharing stories. Wow!Jimi left us too early, but with a body of work that stands among the best ever recorded. To read this book is also to understand Jimi the person, full of sound, fury, and a huge heart with a tender soul.Awesome job Mr. Cross. Thank you for writing this.Gary

This book is very informative, well-written, and fun to read. The author does extensive interviews with family and friends from Jimi’s youth, as well as band members and his contemporaries. The book establishes the foundation of Jimi as a Blues guitarist for R&B bands on the Chitlin circuit to overnight sensation as a guitar god. Jimi had a difficult upbringing and family life, but his natural talent, creativity, ambition and love of guitar allowed him to advance guitar technique to unsurpassed levels. This is the best Hendrix biography I’ve read - highly recommended.

Love this book. Sad and reminds me of my childhood in some ways. Not 5stars because I purchased used. But 4stars perfect.

This is the second book I've read about hendrix I enjoyed this a lot it goes over his relationship with his mom who passed when he was younger his father who cared about him but was abusive at times and the many characters famous like little Richard and Eric Burton and non famous like his brother Leon and many groupies he met on the road and it goes over his mysterious death just a awesome book about a amazing guitar player and entertainer

This book was extremely well written and obviously well researched. A real page turner. This seemed to be an objective writing which held my attention throughout. I highly recommend for anyone who was and is a Jimi Hendrix fan.

Charles R. Cross is a great author, I ordered this after finishing his Kurt Cobain biography "Heavier Than Heaven." The Jimi biography is very nicely laid out, descript and chronological. Gives a great account of the greatest rock star to ever have lived with lots of known, and widely unknown facts about the man.

Charles Cross does a wonderful job of capturing the complex life of Jimi Hendrix.After reading his book I come away with one thought that kept nagging at me and that was that Jimi Hendrix was decades ahead of his time.Anyone curious about the inner workings of Rock stars and all the touring that ends up draining their energy will not be disappointed in this book.One of the most profound things I have ever read occurs On page 225 where Jimi is quoted as saying one time..."When the power of love overcomes the love of power...the world will know peace."There are no boring sections in this book....quite the contrary as I found myself resentful of anything or anyone that got in the way of my reading time.I highly recommend this book to those like me who came of age in that wonderful time of the 60's and also to those younger who want to gain some insight into what makes a Rock n roll legend like Jimi Hendriks tick and whose life was snuffed out way too soon.

This biography is perfect for anyone who is curious about the story behind the incredible, flamboyant yet tragic genius that was Jimi Hendrix. Mr. Cross interviewed people who knew him from childhood as well as those who accompanied him through the much shorter period of his triumph. It ultimately takes one back to Jimi's music, where both sorrow and surreal joy find expression. If it doesn't break your heart, you aren't breathing.

Quick delivery, product as advertised!

This was absolutely riveting from start to finish. A brilliant book!

Very interesting and detailed! Molto interessante e dettagliata.

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