Johnny Cash

by Anne E. Neimark

Johnny Cash was so much more than a country-music star. The only musician ever to be inducted into three halls of fame (Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Songwriters), his music and his legacy have influenced performers ranging from Bob Dylan to U2 to Nine Inch Nails.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was brought up to the circulation desk to be checked out by a 12yr. old girl who is a fan of Johnny Cash. Her grandmother, also a fan of Johnny Cash, questioned why a book about him would be in the children's section, given his history of drug addiction. I had no answer for her. The grandmother decided not to take the book home with them, so I decided to read it myself.

Well, I'm happy to say that the book is appropriate for a youngster to read. While the fact of Cash's battle with drugs is included here, it's included in a way that shows how good, kind people can be lured into drug use. More importantly, it chronicles Cash's love for family, his deep sense of loyalty, and his crusade for the rights of Native Americans and for better conditions in prisons.

Ignorance is dangerous. It's unfortunate that this young girl was prevented from reading about a performer she admires simply because her grandmother wants her sheltered from Cash's struggle with addiction. I left a voicemail for the grandmother letting her know that the book is indeed age-appropriate. I know that we adults try to protect our children from the ugliness in life, but to me, it's better to help them be aware and informed in a suitable manner than to come face-to-face with it and not know how to react. I hope the grandmother comes back for the book because it truly is good.

[Jesse Lieser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked to read about one of the best music artists of all time in my opinion. The book was very informative and I learned many thing that I had no idea happened. One of those things happens to be that his brother was killed by a saw in while he was helping a local farmer build a new fence for his cows. I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to learn about the cool life of a boy up until he grew to stardom. The book grabs your attention from the first chapter and you want to read more. The author was able to easily put the images into your mind and make you want to read more.

[Dalton prielipp]

The book Up Close: Johnny Cash by Anne E. Neimark is about Johnny Cash and all his life from when he was a little boy all the way too his death. It tells of all his adventures and how music made his life. Johnny Cash was my favorite character in the book because i like the way he made his presence known even if it was bad everyone knew about Johnny Cash. The book is a true story so when the question is asked did they feel real in a sense of novelty they sure did. The story always kept me guessing it made me just want to read more. My favorite part is when he preformed at Folsom prison because nobody ever did that but Johnny Cash did. Overall the book didn't have any scenes written better it was all wrote well. The book made me laugh at times and cry because of the situation. The story did have a pretty good grip on me i always wanted to read it. The ending was written well it was not frustrating to me at all. It was simple to care for a main character because i liked Johnny Cash already. The book wasn't scary at all it was good. I would recommend this book to any country music lover that of all ages it is a good story and i think more people should know it. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 i loved the book and it was easy to read.

[Alyssa G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of this book has done a really good job of depicting the significance and overall life of Johnny Cash. The only thing (for me) that takes away from the quality of the book is that it was written by an outside source, meaning that the author has no connection whatsoever to the subject of the story in this case, Johnny Cash; that being said however, the author had many sources that made it possible to detail the life of Johnny Cash very well. The book illustrates the more “notorious” side of johnny cash such as his use of drugs and his relationships. The book also viewed the good side of Johnny Cash as well. This book is comparable to the biography about Elon Musk(Elon Musk), the two books share an outside source in authors, they also share much detail about the two subjects such as there major accomplishments and personal life’s that I would not know about without reading the two books. I do recommend reading this book if you enjoy biographies and inspirational people.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a young adult biography of Cash. It would be a pretty good introduction for the intended age group. The narrative slightly jumps around a bit and Cash's drug habit and the effects of that are downplayed. Understandable as a young adult introduction I suppose.

[CoryL_8Rdg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot.

[Becky Dodds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about a legend! Very good read!!!!

[Debi Crawford-Poyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography is juvenile nonfiction.

[Tristian Graham]

It was a great book the way the author talks about how harsh it was really put my life in perspective.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up Close: Johnny Cash is a fairly unique biography. While it is obvious the author is using facts from various and trusted sources, the narration comes out more like a story. The author focuses on emotional events in Johnny Cash’s life and how that affected him as an artist. When reading you feel as though you are getting to know the real Johnny, not just a list of facts about him.

As a reader, I enjoyed getting to see the material that went into his songs. They say you don’t have to love country music to love Johnny Cash and I believe that’s true. His songs are timeless and if you ask me universally appealing. It was interesting to me to see what events in his life led to such masterpieces in music.

As a teacher, I would love to teach this book. It is short which is nice because I wouldn’t want it to be the focus of my unit. But I think students having trouble with poetry and finding the meaning behind the words would find guidance in this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the man in black. He is such an important influence on the music industry that I think any music buff would find this book interesting. It is written for young adults specifically so an older audience might find it simplistic, however I think anywhere between the grades of 6th – 12th would be appropriate.

[Erica Almerico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up Close: Johnny Cash is a fairly unique biography. While it is obvious the author is using facts from various and trusted sources, the narration comes out more like a story. The author focuses on emotional events in Johnny Cash’s life and how that affected him as an artist. When reading you feel as though you are getting to know the real Johnny, not just a list of facts about him.
As a reader, I enjoyed getting to see the material that went into his songs. They say you don’t have to love country music to love Johnny Cash and I believe that’s true. His songs are timeless and if you ask me universally appealing. It was interesting to me to see what events in his life led to such masterpieces in music.
As a teacher, I would love to teach this book. It is short which is nice because I wouldn’t want it to be the focus of my unit. But I think students having trouble with poetry and finding the meaning behind the words would find guidance in this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the man in black. He is such an important influence on the music industry that I think any music buff would find this book interesting. It is written for young adults specifically so an older audience might find it simplistic, however I think anywhere between the grades of 6th – 12th would be appropriate.
- Erika Breitkreuz

[Dalton Unruh]

Well Johnny cash was a very good singer i like to listen to his songs because they had good rhythm i like his song ring of fire and boy named sue and he has wrote a lot of great songs and whatever age most people like to listen to johnny cash and the song walk the line has topped the charts many times and and there is a movie named after it and that movie is a pretty good some of his songs are about is childhood and how he grew up and what kind of family he grew up in like his family was a very low class but johnny never gave up on singing and making it his career job while he was growing up but the book mostly talked about his life and how he grew up to be a country singer but i really like johnny cash but garth brooks could always top his music but i still like johnny cash and his one song the ring of fire when i first listen to it i could never stop listening to that song but the book was good and i liked to read it because my whole family likes johnny cash.

[Rich Jonny's Son]

Up Close: Jhonny Cash by Anne Neimark is all about Johnny Cash's life from child hood to death. All of the struggle he had over coming drug addictions to bad health and a bad marriage. Johnny’s main internal conflict is that he has trouble getting clean and sober. Johnny’s main external conflict is that he doesn't want to stay married to the wife he already has.

During the reading of this book I made a text-to-self connection. I made this connection based on Johnny's main external conflict. How he doesn't want to stay married to the girl he's already married to. My great great grand pa on my dad’s side cheated on his wife with another girl.

I would definitely give this book five out five stars. It has great music in the book. Its written very well .IF you’re into music biographies then this is the book for you.

[Stasia Bruhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man had a heart but also he had demons..It didn't help at all that the medical establishment kept giving him pills that he would get addicted too. I am glad that he found June and she never gave up on him..I am also glad he didn't give up on his dream or I would never had the chance to listen to his emotion filled songs Hurt/What will U do for heaven's sake(gospel)Give my love to Rose,Bridge over troubled waters(gospel)Man in black/Life has its ups and downs(a song for people going through a rough patch)If U are a fan of Johnny Cash read where he came from/what he went through/and what he fought for. I appreciate his music more than I did when I was younger..Singers like him are just not made anymore..He was a true original :) We'll meet again Johnny ♥

[Ausy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great biography on Johnny Cash. The book starts with Johnny Cash as a boy, and how he grows up in a poor family. At the age of 15 Johnny's voice grows deep starting is able ness to sing well. Johnny then joins the military meeting a wife and having kids. Shortly after the war Jonny discovers drugs and his life goes down hill. He divorces his wife, almost kills him self but then meets a beautiful woman June Carter. She helps Johnny tremendously get thought life. He then eventually Gets married and they have kids. This all happens while Johnny is producing some of the worlds top selling albums

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book Up Close: Johnny Cash by Anne Neimark is a great story of the man in black from start to end. He was the voice of America and this is captured by the lyrics printed within the book. Johnny was plagued by frequent drug relapses and medical problems still held on to his musical talent. The piercing voice of Jonny Cash is still heard today everywhere. Overall, I liked this book because it captures who the man in black was and will always be.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short bio of Johnny Cash is written for younger readers...12 and up probably. But I enjoyed reading and getting a quick view of Johnny Cash's life and career. I have always loved him as a performer and when I saw this book at the library I picked it up and read it straight through.

[Reba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to remember this is a Biography aimed at a YA audience. With that in mind, it was done rather well, but I found myself wanting more. All that aside, I'm a big fan of The Man in Black & I love any opportunity to introduce him to a new generation.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional biography in an outstanding series.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I rarely listened to Johnny Cash, this short, abbreviated book on his life makes me want to hear his songs. He was a troubled man, but very talented.

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best biographies i have ever read

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still have one chapter to go, but now it is less story like and more facts & dates. He had an interesting life.

[Jezebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazinggg<3