Thanks for the post, Linda.....
After a long couple of years, I’m thrilled that this book I’ve been working on with Jim Morrison’s close friend, Frank Lisciandro, has now been officially released.
Jim Morrison: Friends Gathered Together is an oral history of the iconic figure and his life and times, as told by people who were his actual friends at various stages of his life.
The 392-page book also contains more than 50 of Lisciandro’s personal photographs of Morrison and his small family of friends; some never before published. This is not a book that’s been written by biographers who never met the man or who relied on oft-repeated falsehoods with dubious origins to create sensationalism where it never existed. Instead it’s the first comprehensive look at Jim Morrison the Man by those who were his friends, associates and lovers.
I hope you’ll consider the book for yourself or for the Doors and Morrison fan in your life, as the initial feedback that Frank and I have already received from all around the globe through email, messages and on various online forums has been nothing short of fantastic, and, in truth, quite humbling.
Unsolicited reader feedback from around the world:“Absolutely Essential. The perennial question for those who knew Jim Morrison is ‘what was he like?’ Frank Lisciandro succeeds magnificently in answering that question and presenting the many facets of Jim Morrison. Lisciandro, a film school friend of Jim Morrison and Ray Manazarek as well as editor for The Doors documentary ‘Feast of Friends’ and collaborator on Morrison’s film ‘HWY,’ endeavored to talk with and interview on the record Jim Morrison’s friends. Many books mention the different aspects of Jim Morrison, but ‘Friends Gathered Together,’ through the differing viewpoints of the interviewees the reader is able to see the habits, temperament, and eccentricities of Jim Morrison. It is through the commonalties in their reports the reader can bring the picture of Jim Morrison into closer focus.”
Jym Cherry, The Doors Examiner – January 25, 2014“I wish this book would, on its own, reach as many people as possible and knock down the Manzarek Myth Machine.”
fan from Murphy, Texas – February 12, 2014“I'm just reading it and enjoying every single sentence! Frank is a wonderful interviewer; everything you are wishing to learn, he asks, and you can feel that there is a genuine love for Jim's legacy, while remaining very objective on the subject. A wonderful read. Thank you Frank for allowing all these people to express themselves on Jim, this is the book every Doors fan should read!”
fan from Paris, France – February 12, 2014“This book is a must have for anybody who wants to know the real Jim Morrison, who has for decades been buried under tall tales and outright imagination in movies and pulp cut and paste so-called bios. After reading one of these bios and knowing that no one could be so one-dimensional I set out to find the real Morrison. The truth is there for anybody who wants to dig deep enough to find it; all people deserve the truth to be known about their lives. This book, written in a conversational style with people who knew the real man, helps to set the record straight. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the truth about Morrison.”
Amazon Review – February 20, 2014“Informative, entertaining and enlightening. The book contains photos and interviews from the people that knew and loved Jim Morrison. A detailed recollection of an amazing time in history and a fascinating close look at this influential, celebrated personality.”
fan from Portland, Oregon – February 3, 2014"Just received my copy. Just what I wanted: documented dialogue transcribed into paper. Has also great photos."
fan from Greece – January 25, 2014“This book is a collection of conversations that Frank Lisciandro had with friends and colleagues of Jim Morrison. These accounts illustrate who this man was -- warts and all. It is the best book I've read about Jim Morrison because it contains the words of people who do not have anything to gain by clouding what happened with sensational stories. The conversations feel like those between friends, fondly reminiscing about the past. Every one of these conversations is interesting to read. Finally, a REAL glimpse into who this talented poet, artist and singer was.”
fan from Boston, Massachusetts – January 26, 2014 “For decades, books and films have offered confusing and misleading information about the poet, singer, and filmmaker. ‘Jim Morrison: Friends Gathered Together,’ a book by Morrison’s friend and colleague Frank Lisciandro, finally offers a clear and definitive portrait of Jim Morrison. It is a necessary read that helps resolve the past distortions and assaults on Jim Morrison’s legacy (And I believe I have read virtually all of the books and articles.) Lisciandro allows the people who knew him best to tell you who he really was.”
fan from McMinnville, Tennessee – February 2, 2014“So refreshing to read an unvarnished account of who Jim Morrison really was. Frank Lisciandro does an amazing job of gleaning information about Jim's true character from people who really knew him. I feel like I understand who he was as a human, not just a rock star, so much better after reading this book. If you are a Jim Morrison or Doors fan this book is a must have.”
fan from Cleveland, Ohio – February 20, 2014“Received my copy a few weeks ago. I'm loving the book. Thank you!”
fan from Scotland – February 20, 2014“I am enjoying the book so much. If people want to really know who Jim was, here it is. These interviews are gems, here are people who can really get down to what is essential concerning Jim. Anyone who really knew Jim like I did will say that his humor and ability to size up a situation were two of his most prominent characteristics. Humor was the soul essence of Jim. Even to this day, he remains the funniest and wittiest person I have ever known.”
fan from Lubbock, Texas – February 6, 2014“Such a great book and genuine tribute to Jim Morrison. Can’t put my copy down. Do not miss this one, fellow Doors fans!”
fan from Washington DC – January 27, 2014“It looks like this book will be a favorite amongst Doors fans not only interested in the myth, the music and the performances, but as a surrogate medium in which to form an intimate and richly complex picture of the man in a more humane and substantive sense.”
fan from Australia – February 8, 2014“Reading it as we speak…riveting, can’t put it down.”
fan from Brooklyn, New York – February 19, 2014“Reading it now. Loved the Babe Hill interview! The book is wonderful, thank you. Nice picture of the touch football game.”
fan from Italy – February 19, 2014“Received my book and lovin’ it.”
fan from Australia – February 20, 2014 “Have been a lifelong doors fan. You've done a great service for people who are interested in Jim. He has left behind a myth that will last as long as people listen to rock and roll, but you have left behind evidence of the person. Am working my way through the book. It's exhausting in its thoroughness. No stone left unturned in the questioning of who Jim was as a person.”
fan from Los Angeles, California – February 4, 2014"This is the best book about Jim i've ever read. It is so refreshing to read what Jim's friends thought, in their words, their first-hand accounts. They talk about a human being and not that dark legend. Thank you and Mr. Lisciandro for all your hard work on this book.. In my opinion, Jim deserves a better legacy than the one he currently has."
fan from Boston, Massachusetts – January 25, 2014
