This biography investigates the life, artistic output, and eventual decline of Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors. Jerry Hopkins, a seasoned music journalist, utilizes extensive interviews and historical records to construct a chronological account of Morrison's transformation from a poet into a cultural icon. The text examines the tension between Morrison's intellectual ambitions and the destructive lifestyle that defined his public persona.

Critics often cite this work as one of the most comprehensive early accounts of Morrison's life, noting its journalistic approach to a chaotic subject. Readers frequently highlight the book's ability to balance the myth of the 'Lizard King' with the mundane realities of the music industry.