Rating: 
Summary: Very real, very personal story of Janis' life
Review: I believe very few people ever saw the "real" Janis Joplin, however Myra Friedman did, and she wrote an excellent biography. Janis may have come across as a real tough chick, but inside she was a frightened child, and Myra saw that. (I personally believe that Janis had Borderline Personality Disorder.) I read this book back in high school around 1975 and just re-read it. I had to get it from the library, since it is out of print. It may be hard to find, but it is worth the effort.
Rating: 
Summary: Little Girl Blue.
Review: I found this book to be the most intelligent ever written about the legendary Janis. I bought this book upon its publication, and , to me, it remains the definitive biography on the greatest woman rock star ever. While this book angered many (and apparently still does), I feel Friedmans perspective is very valid. This book is amazingly honest and insightful, considering it was written so shortly after Joplins death, without the benefit of time, which changes the patina of a life. While it would have been easy for any author taking on such an intimidating subject so soon after their demise to be tempted to either canonize them or vilify them, Friedman does neither. She very eloquently tells of the Janis she knew for the maybe 2 year period that she was her public relations person, and her opinions are not always popular. We like our icons deified, and it's not always easy hearing about their faults, superficialties, and demons. What can make the difference between an honest telling of a life, and an unfair portrayal, is the balance in which it is written. Though Friedman is sometimes brutal in the honesty of her observations of Janis, and sometimes perceived as judgmental, I never doubted for a second that she loved Janis, and her grief at the wretched tragedy of her ending is apparent, to me, through-out, though never maudlin. She even admits that she was not a particular fan of Joplins at the beginning of her involvement with her, having more of a classical backround. Her chapters on Janis' early years, when she was an outcast, and all but banished from school for being different, un-pretty, and un-popular, are especially filled with empathy. And her re-counting of the young Janis, the seemingly hopeless no-body , accidentally discovering she had a voice, as she sits with a friend on a train trestle.."Guess what...I think I can sing", sends a little shiver down the spine. Her love for Janis, and the immense respect that Friedman developed for the intangible magic that she created, transcended her personal likes and dislikes, as far as musical style was concerned, though she never became a "yes" person to Joplin (there were enough of those buzzing around the hive of her fame... unfortunatley.) There is not a hint of the patronizing, self-serving viewpoints seen in many other biographies of the famous. Several which came out after her death were so despicable as to not being worthy of a mention. But, compared to "Pearl", which was mildly interesting, and "Scars Of Sweet Paradise", which I found to be just re-heated opinions, this book , along with "Love, Janis", by Joplins sister Laura, is the most telling, compassionate, honest book you're going to find about the incredibly intelligent, self-destructive, very brave, once un-popular ugly duckling, whose fame became a burden at once her savior and her executioner, but had a humanity and genius that can still be heard in the un-fathomable and irreplacable power of her voice. That is what we are left with. And...that's alot.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok but not what I hoped
Review: I got this book hoping to learn more of Janis Joplin. I did learn things about her addiction and the obvious behaviors secondary to that but I felt too much emphasis was placed on that. How would anyone feel if their biography focused on things they did when intoxicated and then presented as who they were? The author was cold, aloof and detached in her portrayal which made little sense if she was a friend of Janis. One doesn't have to be cold in order to be honest. She isn't exactly compassionate for someone who claims to be a friend. Janis sister however does a wonderful job of portraying her sister as she was without judgment. If you want to know Janis and where she came from read LOVE JANIS instead. This author apparently appointed herself a psychology degree which was evident in her opinions of Janis' substance abuse and self esteem issues. She would have better served Janis to leave her opinions aside and present the facts. I understand now why her family denied her copyrights.
Rating:
Summary: Ok but not what I hoped
Review: I got this book hoping to learn more of Janis Joplin. I did learn things about her addiction and the obvious behaviors secondary to that but I felt too much emphasis was placed on that. How would anyone feel if their biography focused on things they did when intoxicated and then presented as who they were? The author was cold, aloof and detached in her portrayal which made little sense if she was a friend of Janis. One doesn't have to be cold in order to be honest. She isn't exactly compassionate for someone who claims to be a friend. Janis sister however does a wonderful job of portraying her sister as she was without judgment. If you want to know Janis and where she came from read LOVE JANIS instead. This author apparently appointed herself a psychology degree which was evident in her opinions of Janis' substance abuse and self esteem issues. She would have better served Janis to leave her opinions aside and present the facts. I understand now why her family denied her copyrights.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Descriptive Depiction of Janis Jolpin.
Review: I needed to write a book review on a biography for a school paper and being a major fan of Joplin, I chose this book. I was astounded to find that it WASN'T some regular old blah-blah-blah-she-did-this-she-did-that kind of book... it was actually extremely interesting! I couldn't put it down! READ IT!
Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK IS NOT WORTH THE READ!
Review: I'm not sure what is going on with this book, but I think it is TERRIBLE! The author, while claiming to be a friend and associate of Ms. Joplin's, perpetuates a mood of haughty disdain for the books main character! At times, it seems that the author is almost mocking Janis and the illness of her drug and alcohol dependence. This does not jive with the author's supposed "relationship" with Janis! "With friends like these........" (You know the rest!) Aside from the lack of compassion (or maybe a helping hand?) for Janis' deplorably sick condition, the book is a collection of disjointed, run-on sentences, improper grammer, and incorrect punctuation. Buy "Pearl" - it's much better than this biased, cold, poorly written trash. Peace, Jon
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: If you like your dead celebrities sliced, diced, and raked over the coals with their heads served up on a silver platter, then this is the book for you. Seems like the author, who only knew Janis Joplin for the better part of two years, (and didn't know her at all during the first part of her career in San Francisco), casts far too many one-sided judgments based on a personal ax to grind. Also, she displays no insight or appreciation of the San Francisco scene or rock music. An opinionated hatchet job, in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best compilations of Janis Joplin's in print.
Review: In depth look into the making of a rock and roll icon. Includes many unflattering details that let the reader see glimpses of the real Joplin while still allowing him/her to form their own opinion of her life and death.Excellent.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: Myra Friedman's Buried Alive, a biography of the great blues and rock singer, Janis Joplin, is without question the best work yet published on Joplin's life. I've read all of the other books on Joplin. Alice Echol's dry, souless book clearly used Friedman's book as a source, and yet, in the most unprofessional manner, tries to tear down the groundbreaking work that Friedman did in Buried Alive. Friedman was Joplin's friend,as well as a professional associate, and the love she had for her subject is evident in every page, even though she criticized some of Joplin's behaviour. Most importantly, the 1992 introduction is the best essay I've yet to read about Janis Joplin, the artist.
Definetely one of the best biographies written about any singer, in any field.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic and Passionate Work
Review: Myra Friedman's classic biography of Janis Joplin is a must read for anyone interested in the life and art of this great singer. The Harmony edition of Buried Alive contains the most on the mark, intelligent description of Joplin's art that has been published to date. "Want to be hippies" will no doubt dislike this book, as the author smashes any romantic fantasies that people may have about the turbulent decade of the sixties. The author's love and affection for her subject is evident throughout this magnificent work, which won the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award when first published. Of the many books available on Janis Joplin, Buried Alive has no serious competition. Joplin was a complex, and troubled young woman and no one has come closer to revealing the truth about this extraordinary, sensitive artist than Myra Friedman.
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