Cash

In High Fidelity (2000) John Cusack as Rob Gordon says, "But I have to say my all-time favorite book is Johnny Cash's autobiography Cash by Johnny Cash."

I now can see why this quip bears scrutiny. I have read, literally, hundreds of biographies in my life and this is one of the very best. Cash's personality and depth exude from these pages as if he was telling the reader personally his recollections and thoughts around the table in his tour bus "Unit One" between one stop and another. This feels very personal and authentic. Cash brings in history of the South, country music and more in revealing chapters that each read like a topical essay on his Bible spirituality, battles with drug addiction, sense of home and family, love for his show more wife June Carter Cash and more. show less

You really hear Johnny Cash's distinctive voice come across in this sincere and conversational memoir. Particularly in the earlier parts of the book, it is quite powerful in its stories, observations and even its prose. The anecdotal, non-chronological structure of the book is very bracing and readable, though it does presume some foreknowledge on the part of the reader of the general arc of Cash's career.

Towards the end, however, the vignette-like structure starts to become disjointed and the book runs out of steam. It loses its grave but grateful tone, and the final chapters read like an extended Acknowledgements page. Regardless, it is a rare 'celebrity' memoir that delivers, and while you don't become educated about his complete show more biography, you do get from the intimate, natural conversation with him a sense of the essence of the Man in Black. show less

When you pick up this book, set aside your preconceived idea of what it is like to be a celebrity. Here, Johnny Cash tells his story in his own words. He doesn’t sugarcoat much, but instead tells it like it is. Cash has been everywhere and done it all. This book is a roller coaster ride full of life's ups and downs with thoughts about the wisdom of life on the road and a sprinkling of religious undertones. Cash openly shares what life both on and behind the stage was really like.

The Bottom Line: Recommended for fans of Johnny Cash and country music in general. This book features short chapters that are easy to read, and the black and white photos offer a glimpse into Cash’s life. For the complete review including Book Club Notes, show more please visit the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. show less

I’m not much for music bios (or autobios, in this case), but I figured someone like Cash would have some tales to tell. And he does. And they’re mostly riveting, though, unsurprisingly, he spends a hell of a lot of pages paying tribute to his two greatest loves: God and June Carter. But then I expected that. The best bits are the anecdotes of hanging out with Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Merle Travis and all the other rock/country legends. And of course stories of pill popping, driving Cadillacs into phone poles and chopping holes in hotel rooms with a fire ax. He also managed to clear up a few things about Wesley Orbison, Roy’s first son (who was in my junior bowling league, though that’s not to say I knew him). The only show more downside was learning that Cash never did time in jail, if you don’t count the occasional overnight stay in the drunk tank. See, this is why I don’t read music bios. show less

Johnny Cash's story is thoroughly enjoyable. Instead of it being entirely about glorifying his musical career, you get a very personal glimpse into the his personal life detailing his family and those–within the music world and outside–who've helped him out along the way. A portrait is painted of his upbringing in the rural south, his search for meaning, a detour to the dark side, and ultimately getting in touch with himself and the earth. Very well-written and entirely worth it as this is one of the best autobiographies around.

A fascinating insight into a fascinating man. I like the style it's written in, more af a reminiscent chain of thought than a chronological re-telling of his life.

Do you like Johnny Cash? Okay, then you'll probably like this book.

Written with his startling sparse honesty, [b:Cash|35488|Cash|Johnny Cash|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388404773s/35488.jpg|49239] is the biography largely focusing on his later years. [b:Man in Black|35470|Man in Black|Johnny Cash|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1332007422s/35470.jpg|3055103], if I understand it correctly more strongly focuses upon his younger years, addiction, and wooing of June. [b:Man in White|1173411|The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit My Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World|Lucette Lagnado|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1387664732s/1173411.jpg|1161176] focuses upon his rebirth into Christianity. show more [b:Cash|35488|Cash|Johnny Cash|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388404773s/35488.jpg|49239], on the other hand, is just about how he views life and deals with things.

I like Johnny Cash, but I don't really know a lot about him. I came away from this book with a respect fort he man and all he'd been through and learned along the way. There's a sincerity to his writing that is a bit shocking, a humbleness and gentle humor to it that is difficult not to find endearing.

It's a good book, a good biography, and a very different view of Cash than what you'll find in any casual assessment of him. show less