Among non-metal fans and hard rockers alike, Metallica is undeniably a household name. But few know that their style developed much of its sophistication under the guidance of their original bassist, Cliff Burton. Born and raised in San Francisco, Burton pushed the band to new musical levels with his training, songwriting, and exceptional skills on the bass. When Cliff was killed in 1986 — the band’s tour bus overturned on a Swedish mountain road — Metallica plummeted into despair and, by their own admission, never pushed the creative envelope as radically as they had done with Burton. This biography explores Cliff’s background, talent, and influence — one acknowledged by musicians of all kinds.
To Live Is to Die: The Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton (Book) Reviews:
Digg's beneath the surface and into the soil 
2009-12-13 - The author does a pretty good job detailing the important parts of Cliff's life, character, and influence in the band. He does tend to slide into other subject matter that feels a little distracting but he does tie it together though loosely at times. However, once in a while the writer does come across slightly juvenile in his phrasing of Cliff's abilities, character, and life stories. But for the most part the book paints a more detailed picture beneath the layers of Cliff's celebrity and reveals the nature of a man that not much personal information was known about previously.
It was interesting to read interviews from Cliff's former girlfriend, friends, family, and teachers. Each person adds details to the story of Cliff's short but important life. It was very cool and inspiring to learn what a diligent student of music Cliff was, and how driven he was to see his dreams and goals to fruition. He was a dedicated individual that did it on his own terms.
The book sheds light on many parts of Cliff's life and shows where some of his inspiration came for his music, philosophy, and work ethic. The writer reveals much about Cliff's past, present, and does the best he can digging into Cliff's psyche.
All in all the book was a enjoyable and quick read that answered questions I have pondered through the years. Like where Cliff's gear ended up, did he have siblings, how was his relationship with his parents, why were his ashes scattered at the Maxwell Ranch, and where all these old videos came from on youtube of Cliff jamming with Jim Martin.
The book makes a statement that in Cliff Burton's 24 years he left an indelible mark on many people and music that will last a very long time.
Great read - with lots of insight. 
2009-11-30 - Joel McIver has done a great job introducing us to Cliff -- through the eyes of those that new him best. The author addresses Cliff's upbringing, his friends, his teachers and his equipment. All very respectful. Of course, the unanswered question remains what Metallica would have become had Cliff survived. All in all, its a compelling book and a must for any fan.
Essential Reading
2009-10-17 - There are only a few times when a biography can be said to be `definitive', and that certainly is the case here. Joel is obviously a huge fan both of Cliff Burton and Metallica, and this biography of the bassist leaves no area untouched and has been put together from extensive research and interviews. The reader is taken through Cliff's life, how he became interested in bass guitar, his influences and passions, and by the end of the book the reader has a much better idea of Cliff the person behind the music. Obviously Joel also writes about Metallica, but only as it pertains to Cliff. If the reader wants to know more about the band's story then there are plenty of other books that cover that in detail (including one by Joel), but this is the story of Cliff Burton and of a life brutally cut short by the tourbus crash on September 27th 1986. I have to confess to having never really got into the band in a huge way, but this book has inspired me to find out more about the material Cliff recorded as thanks to this book I now feel that I know him so well.
It is a book that anyone who enjoys reading musical biographies will get a great deal from, even if they know little about the band themselves. It is inspiring, it is exhaustive, it is informative, and most of all it is a damn good read that I found hard to put down. If you have ever nodded your head to the odd Metallica song, or have wondered just who was this guy who people still talk about in awe (just read the quotes from Mikael Akerfeldt, Dave Ellefson and Alex Webster on the rear of the book) then this is essential. Given that there is a foreward from Kirk Hammett one can say that this also gets the stamp of approval from the band. Undoubtedly one of the most important biographies released covering this style of music.
Best Biography I've ever read!
2009-09-03 - For all Metallica fans, and those fans of the late Cliff Burton, this book is for you. It goes so in depth about Metallica and its music and style then ever before. Greta read I love it!
Taught me a lot about Cliff
2009-08-31 - Metallica is my absolute favorite band. That being said I knew some things about Cliff's life but not all that much. I'm 30yrs. old, too young to remember Cliff when he was alive and passed on. This book is the first I believe to solely focus mostly on Cliff. Sure it goes into Metallica history but that is unavoidable how could it not. I loved reading about his early bands one of these bands was Agents of Misfortune, I suggest everyone go check out the clips on Youtube. The clips are from 1979, and even then Cliff is a monster on bass. Reading about his jam sessions, family and friends and of course Metallica was all entertaining. The book really does a great job of just talking about Cliff's character and him as a person.
So many celebrities become the greatest thing ever after they die. Cliff was great and unique while he lived, this book about his life and time in Metallica confirms this. He was his own man and played by his rules. Read this book as a fan of Metallica and a fan of music.
