Johnny Cash: The Life

Did you know Shel Silverstein wrote “A Boy Named Sue”? Or that Johnny Cash's last 4 albums were produced by the same guy who produced the Beastie Boys? I sure didn't.

Reading a biography like this, of someone who has lived so many different chapters of life and so much of it in public view, who brushed shoulders with so many greats, is always really interesting to me. Reading about his perspectives on his music and his desire to live his life for God in the later years really made me feel like I could understand this artist. Reading about his repetitive spirals into drug addiction and the ways he abandoned his family over and over again made me think twice about the idea of boundaries and rest. Thought-provoking, insightful, and inspiring.

The only drawback was the pacing. I felt like the author included every detail, every concert date, every city and name. In the last fifth of the book, when Cash was practically bedridden and had stopped performing so many live shows, it was much more enjoyable. Having to read every city he stopped in over a 40+ year career got old. But, I really did like the little shout out to Spartanburg, SC, so maybe it was worth it.

Age range: 17+
Cash (and various members of his family and entourage) had serious drug problems. Plus, the author doesn't pull any punches talking about his unfaithfulness to his wife in the early years.

Went into this book with minor expectations but come out impressed. Mr. Hilburn, for the most part, sticks to the facts, and it works well for him. The tone is not gossipy, but there aren't many stones left unturned. It's clear that the author obtained the trust of the Cash family and received access not normally granted. I knew the broad strokes of Cash's life, but most of what I knew was part of the legend and not the facts. It's a very readable, enjoyable, informative book that is also very well written. One of the best books I read in 2014. Highly recommended.