Johnny Cash: The Life of an American Icon

by Stephen Miller

Explores the life and times of the country music singer who started his life on an Arkansas cotton farm, overcame a self-destructive lifestyle, and received honors from both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music

496 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Stan Jackson]

Gave up

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. It was written before Cash died, but released very shortly after his death and presents the Johnny Cash story as it was known in the early 21st century. I found some information in it that was interesting and new to me.

However I was put off by some of the writing. The author is horrible critical of June and takes several undeserved shots at her. He also is disparaging towards their son, John Carter Cash, poking fun at his weight and singing/songwriting. It was entirely unnecessary to put down someone for their physical appearance in a book where they are not a central character. The author also offers disparaging shots to other people close to Cash throughout the book. It just comes off as petty and mean for the sake of being petty and mean.

There's also a tendency to get into the scandalous aspects of things, which the author seems to do with some glee. Some of these stories I had never heard mentioned anywhere else (and there are MANY books on Cash at this point). This doesn't make the stories untrue, but I question the validity of some of them presented in the book. While the author seemingly did interview Cash's bother Tommy, which I applaud as a good source, some of the other limited interviews are strange. Extensive interviews are done with George Hamilton IV. The only things Cash and Hamilton seem to have in common are that they both sing country music. Hamilton isn't even mentioned in any other Cash book I've read, so the author's heavy use of anecdotes from him seems misplaced. This is especially egregious as the book was written in 2002/2003 when many important people to the Cash story were still around and would have been able to give interviews.

Overall, it was fine for it's time, but there are much better biographies that have been written in subsequent years.

[Allan Colgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a big fan of Johnny Cash since the 1960's and have been to several of his concerts. I thought I knew a little bit about my favorite singer but was surprised to learn as I read this book that I did not know as much about him and his music as I thought I did. I found the book to be very interesting in supplying the background to his recording sessions and how the music came to be produced, sometimes not to his liking as much as to the producers liking. I also learned more about the man and his life in a very personal way, e.g., his addiction to drugs and how after several surgeries his relapse because of the prescribed medications for pain. What I did not know was how he re-invented his music in the late 80's and 90's that led to a resurgence of his career. It was the background to this era that I was pleasantly surprised to learn things I did not know about Johnny Cash. All in all, I recommend this book for those who have an interest in the music field, and not just about the "man in black" as you would be surprised to learn that Johnny Cash inspired many musicians, not just in country music, but in rock and roll, R & B, pop, and jazz as well.

[Sophie Wootton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lengthly and thorough exploration of the life of an American legend. At times it seemed a little too focused on the detail where a little more 'conjecture' may have made it more readable. However, if you want to know about the factual ins and outs of Cash's life you won't go wrong with this.

[Lorette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this for my mother who loves her Man in Black. I'll be honest - this is a very complete, detailed biography, perhaps too much so. Dense and long, especially if you don't know every single lyric and song by Cash. But Johnny Cash was a complex man, a man of flaw, of faith, of music.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Cash book.

[Doctor Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read about Johnny Cash the more I love him. This book is lovingly written, highlighting the great work and wonderful life of one of America's greatest icons.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.Wonderful In Depth Portrait.It's Like Being Backstage With Johnny Before Performances,& On Stage During The Shows.

[Cathy Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Cash, F yeah!

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good bio of Cash. This book was being printed just as Cash passed away, which author Stephen Miller notes in the Preface. So, it's very comprehensive, covering Cash's entire life, and is the work of a good author.