Review #4 Cash: The Autobiography by Johnny Cash

During the past while, I've been doing quite a bit of travelling and during that time I've been devouring this book on my tablet. Just finishing it on my flight left me heart broken.

The only autobiography to match this one in style,which I've read, would have to be 'A Drink With Shane MacGowan'. This being because it follow the 'record yourself on tape and then have it written down' method, which keeps a good flow of coherent language, and keeps the reader perfectly grounded throughout. It's like having a conversation with the man in black himself.

Chronologically, this book can go back and forth a bit, and you can tell that Cash himself valued everyone around him, by the way he tries to mention as many people as possible.  It is also clear that heartbreak and personal demons seemed to follow him, but that he was certainly a strong character, devout in his religious beliefs and enjoyed the simpler things in life.

This autobiography is actually a follow up to a previous one written 20 years before called 'The Man In Black'. But this one digs deep into family life and brushes over his rise to fame. You learn more about the man and not the legend, and of all the places he's seen, along with his beliefs and what those beliefs have led to. He also mentions his show, picking up from where the last book probably left off, and fills in the gaps about what happened in the 1980's for him.

This was an absolutely captivating read, leaving the reader desperate to turn to the next page.

You can see the places being described in your mind's eye. From his childhood home in Arkansas to touring in Sweden, everywhere is clearly described.

It is difficult to describe without telling too much. All I can say is that this is certainly a must read, and was obviously referred to a lot during the making of the biopic 'Walk The Line'.

Other stories are also shared involving other big names, such as Roy Orbison, Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton. 

Shocking, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and everything else between.

This book was an emotional roller-coaster that leaves you upset that you never got a chance to meet him, himself. You learn about his shyness, his rejection of fame, and his unwavering faith.

I never give anything a 5 star rating, but my hat is off on this one.

Thank you for reading this review and we hope to have this site posting regularly very soon. Any suggestions for books to review are always welcome, check the Contact Us page for ways to get in contact. Comments are always welcome - Joanne.