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 Reviews:
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.
To Live Is To Die: The Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton 
2009-07-13 - This book was not bad. Which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. However, it is the only book I have read that deals with Cliff Burton specifically which is cool. Much like the book The Bloody Reign of Slayer also by Joel Mciver the book dealt to much with specific songs, and the author's opinions of those songs. I was looking for a history of Cliff Burton no a record review. The author also goes out of his way to say the book is about Cliff and not Metallica, however over and over again it becomes the history of Metallica. I'm not sure if the book is possible with out the history of the band, but don't keep telling me it's not, when it is. Overall, I recommend it for any die hard fans.
The life & times of Cliff
2009-07-06 - I was thoroughly impressed with this biography on the brilliant Cliff Burton.
My impression was that the author, like myself, truly understood the depth of Cliff's talent and it translates into a book that goes beyond the typical cut & past interviews of lesser Bio's.
Throughout the pages, we are treated to rare insights of Cliff's formitive years, with recollections from his music teacher, former bandmates in Trauma, and even Jim Martin (Faith no More), whom joined forces with Burton in the early group, Agents of Misfortune.
The insight into Cliff goes even deeper with reflections from his girlfriend & companion, as well as his parents.
The author delves deep into the music, as well.
Cliff's studio output with Metallica is thoroughly explored, along with his numerous contributions to individual tracks.
Of course, the tragic accident that took Burton's life, is examined, really giving the reader a sense of what it was like to experience such a horrible moment & it's aftermath.
Overall, this book exceeded my expectations.
I'm pleased that a man of Burton's stature in the heavy metal genre, has gotten his due!
