Very Poor
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I have read better and more comprehensive biographies of Cash on magazine specials.
The book is quite superficial and quite frankly, I doubt many people care how many grandchildren Cash had.
If you were looking for some insights into what inspired the Man in Black you are better off looking elsewhere.
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An honest and humorous book - but the man is, most certainly, not purely an angel
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I enjoyed reading this book, though, as another reviewer stated, he does praise other people a lot, perhaps too much. It became a bit too much, but I also think he came across as fundamentally sincere, so ok with me - I didn't think it a biggie when reading. Also, there are some good stories, as one might expect. He has a knack for spinning a good yarn, but some parts of the book is also just facts, and that is less than inspiring - but it IS an autobiography, so that has to be in there too. Overall, a good read, in my opinion, for me it has been inspiring, if a bit disturbing hearing him battling it out with his demons, and I am not sure he ever - truly - beat them, I think he went out/down fighting. I had hoped that a man who is (I assume) as spiritual as him, would have been able to find more peace in his life. I don't think the book really gives the impression that he succeeded fully on that account.
As I said, I liked the story, and as a person who has a growing interest in religion, the many stories Johnny Cash shares about his own path towards redemption (setbacks and all) inspires me. However, for people who find religion distasteful (for whatever reason) I wouldn't recommend this book, since he has a lot of words to spare for christianity, or religion. In my opinion, since it has had a large influence on his life, I can't see why it shouldn't be in his autobiography. My only problem with it is, that there is a sense that he is 'too hungry for the spotlight for his own good', and it is a shame and a painful truth that he was not able to balance that more in his life. But at least he has been honest in sharing, for which I will give him credit.
Sincerely,
J
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disillusioned
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The first half chronicles the trials and tribulations of his early career and gives a fascinating description of the life of a hero of mine, an outspoken rebel with values. The second half cranks on about the influence of God on his life, his socializing with past presidents and the rich and famous. It is boring, repetitive and has changed my perception of Cash. To be honest, I wish I hadnt read the book and still had only the images he created in my mind through his music.
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WELL WORTH THE CASH!
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I read this book on holiday last week and thought it was great. It was a truthful, thought provoking book by someone who is not a professional author but gave it a jolly good shot. His stories of drug addiction and the destruction it causes seemed very real, as did his genuine love for June.
I really enjoyed this book and having read about 20 autobiographies, will be reading this one again definately.
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Not Worth The Cash
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I love Johnny Cash's music, but his attempts at being an author are pitiful.
He seems to be so content in his old age that he can't risk saying one contraversial word about anyone or anything that appears in his book. I lost count of the times that so-and-so was described as a "very good man" or such-and-such as "also a very good man," or somebody else as "the kindest person I've met." One poor woman's entire existence is summed up as being a "similar sort of person to her husband." I bet she was well chuffed with that critical dissection.
His stories are generally banal and un-interesting and his mystical beliefs infuriating to the extent that I belive that there are lot of people out there who've helped Cash along the way, but have received little acknowledgement here (I love the way that when he was in the holy land making a film, some ancient church that was never open happened to have been opened on the day that Cash was visiting. The caretaker "just knew someone" was visiting. No mention of thanks to the production team by Johnny there, who doubtless contacted the caretaker to inform him that "someone" was visiting.)
Perhaps I'm being a being a little harsh. There are some interesting little recollections - especially about his early life - but for a man who's songs often betrayed a brutal honesty, I was expecting a much more insightful read.
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