AN AMERICAN DREAM by Norman Mailer

An Anonymous Amazon review of Mailer's book which is interesting if only for Doors/Morrison admirers...

• A Thriller to the Finish

  I first picked up this book after reading a Jim Morrison biography in which he declared An American Dream & Norman Mailer a major influence. It shows throughout this book. From the first chapter you actually feel yourself & your mind going 110 m.p.h. The book does a wonderful balancing act (if it can be called that) between the linear story & the insane (or not so) things going on in our main character's head. I personally felt a close bond with this book because of recurring dreams i have of being 'sweated down' by the cops at a station somewhere. I honestly couldn't put it down. There's also great underlying telepathy/deja vu themes throughout, & you'll find yourself flipping to earlier chapters to check it out. Possibly my most favorite thriller novel. (Also, for Doors fans, notice the title of the last chapter?...'cobra on my left leopard on my right'...)
• Anonymous
  Posted November 11, 2001

The biography, which "Anonymous" is probably referring to is more than likely The Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison by Jerry Hopkins, a collected series of interviews with Morrison. The interview where Morrison is interviewed backstage at the Isle of Wight in 1970 quotes Morrison's interest specifically in American Dream by Mailer. Morrison also mentions Hendrix as he passes by to take the stage for his Isle of Wight set. What the reviewer also doesn't note or reference is that perhaps Mailer's title for this particular novel could have been an inspiration for not only the track lyrics of Not to touch the Earth, but also could have served as inspiration for the An American Prayer... Noted elsewhere has been the participation of Morrison/Krieger at a benefit gig for Mailer's attempt at becoming Mayor in May 30 (31),1969 at the Cinematheque 16, Sunset Boulevard... reading An American Prayer and singing various tunes. Apparently, both Feast of Friends and I, a Man, - the latter a movie that Morrison had said he would take part in originally but backed out of performing in - were screened during the benefit.

http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/no_more_bullshit_norman_mailer_1969_mayoral_slogan

The cover of my copy of An American Dream: