Bob Dylan Book:

The Bible in the lyrics of Bob Dylan (The Wanted Man study series) Reviews:
Must-have for those interested in Dylan's art and life
2002-09-18 - The eventual author of "The Bible in the Lyrics of Bob Dylan" was turned onto the singer/songwriter in 1965 when a friend recommended he check out the twenty-something Dylan whom he referred to as a "theologian." Cartwright, who was 41 at the time (and a minister in Youngstown, Ohio), became a life-long appreciator of Dylan's work.

"The Bible in the Lyrics of Bob Dylan" was revised and enlarged in 1992 from its original 1985 edition (the newer edition is 159 pages). Either edition is somewhat difficult to find since the publisher--the late John Bauldie's outfit, Wanted Man--had fairly limited print runs (500 to 1,000 copies?). Cartwright and Bauldie both happened to die in 1996, and both men left substantial contributions to those interested in Dylan's "career" (Dylan prefers "calling" to "career").

I highly recommend Cartwright's book because:

1) Cartwright is one of the few who has formally addressed the reality of numerous biblical allusions in Dylan's work (both before and after Dylan's embrace of Jesus in 1979)
2) He is a good writer and has done his research
3) Readers will have a better understanding of an important aspect of Dylan's life and art

It is good to see that in 2006, a decade after his death, Cartwright has been honored through a two-page entry in Michael Gray's "The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia."

Scott M. Marshall
--Author (with Marcia Ford) of "Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan" (Relevant Books, 2002)
--Author of the four-part series, "Bob Dylan's Unshakeable Monotheism," located at http://www.jewsweek.com


Bob's Bible
2000-03-29 - A very abstract and oblique view of the use of biblical scriptures in the lyrics of Bob Dylan. Quite General and out of the way, but still very interesting. Concentartes mainly on Dylans more popular songs, but does sink deeper in to those good old rare ones. Not an absolute refrence point, but still a great read for both Bob Dylan and Bible fans.