Kurt Cobain Journals Paperback – Illustrated, 4 Nov. 2003

I guess only Nirvana fans are reading this, hence the 5 stars. If you don't have much knowledge of Nirvana or Kurt Cobain, then this book will feel out of context. That's not a criticism of the book, because here we have a collection of personal notes by Kurt, to himself, without chapter headings, introductions or even dates.Certainly it is without question an interesting read, and you will get something out of the experience of reading it. And nowhere else, are we 'privileged' enough to read such explicit and personal information.But this review comes with a warning. Kurt Cobain was awash with contradiction. This book makes you question your beliefs about him, and it would be easy to assume an honesty in his writing that would lead to the conclusion that KC was manipulative and calculated - that his sincerity was a front. The ambition and drive for success that he so often mocked, is reflected from his very thoughts.5 stars because I feel privileged to have this information available to me, that it appears uncensored, that we get a little closer to one of our most prolific artists in living memory.Let me end on one final concern. Throughout reading this book, and now with its poignant remarks stored in my mind, I continue to wonder whether it was right to read it. Have we betrayed him, have we sold him out?

So I'm giving the book 5 stars because it really gives you a glimpse at the man behind the hype. Cobain was and is a real inspiration to me as a man, however I was, as others have remarked, conflicted about buying something that wasn't meant to be published or read by me. The real problem I had was one of not wanting to give any money to a certain Ms Love, who is not my favourite person and whom I feel is simply cashing in on something private. I got round this buy buying the book second hand, as I suggest others also do. When I have read it, I will put it up for sale, so another Kobain fan can read it without a penny going to that woman.

I just feel really sorry for Kurt now and I feel kind of bad for buying this thing. It was practically stolen from a dead person. It was a piece of him, a beautifully tragic piece of various periods of his short life. But I must admit he was a genius and his diaries have this little grunge-kind-of-suicidal magic in them. I love his drawings, he really did express himself and it only takes a small bit of common sense and compassion to understand it a bit. If you've ever been through a tough time, i'm sure you'll understand. I'm actually glad they didn't publish all his journals, memories deserve to be kept a secret. At least the private ones. And... some of the comments about him on here make me a little bit sick, I mean, he's dead... And no one reads your diaries either, so why so much judgement. You didn't know him in person, but I'm not trying to defend anyone. I'm just saying he was a huge inspiration to me, in a sad kind of way. He surely wasn't the best example for any person in the world, but a little respect towards a dead person wouldn't hurt you, perhaps.

This book is amazing! It's a large book and looks great (the front and back covers are beautiful). It's great to flick through and there are some really interesting snippets of Cobain's artistic flair, along some insights into his intelligent mind. A great present for any music lover.

I bought this book right after it came out. I read it during moments snatched from days and nights of a lot of academic work. When you open the book, it warns you 'not to read the diary when I (Kurt Cobain) am gone..' but my curiosity got the better of me. I read on to find a rather articulate and meticulous person (who else will make a checklist for every stop of the tour bus that includes 'check oil' and 'check tyres'?) quite different from the drugged persona that means a rock star to you and me. A chronicle of the way Kurt Cobain changed over time, it makes you wonder about 'success' in general and 'rock star success' in specific. Curiously there can be deep introspective moments but that was just my experience.Strangely enough just around that time, we were discussing the changing concept of copyright in network economics. Besides I am deeply interested in privacy technologies and the social debate around it. In all, I experienced a terrible dilemma with this book - by buying this, was I aiding and abetting privacy violation (even posthumous) or copyright violation (since these are not Courtney Love's diaries so how could she publish them???).. Any guesses?Read it only if you can deal with the conflicting emotions that rightly overcome you when you read someone's diary without their knowledge or consent.. 4 stars for the depressing times this caused me, when I could least afford the time..

i got this for my best friend who loves kurt cobain and nirvana. since i live in the us and she lives in the uk i had to order through the uk amazon site for shipping and im glad i got something as affordable as this. the only downside was how big the book was. i was expecting a small journal size book but it was about the size of a regular piece of paper. but it was my fault for not looking at the product details closely. regardless she loved it so thats all that matters. <3

My granddaughter loved it

The journals provided first-hand testimony of the explosion of creativity that marked these years of his life. He combined innocence and extraordinary maturity and drive to produce the strange, compelling manboy that he was. I am haunted by his destructive genius and by the many dualities of his life and the journals prise open the coffin lid for a final meeting with the wonderful, terrible, beautiful Kurt Donald Cobain.