Johnny Cash Book:

Man in Black : His Own Story in his Own Words Reviews:
Interesting facts
2007-12-27 - Very interesting. I have just became a fan after seeing the movie walk the line.


The Odyssey of "God's Superstar"
2007-12-16 - Five Stars -- not because this is a literary masterpiece. By his own claim, Cash wrote this himself in longhand, with a little help fixing his "50's high school grammar".

It is so honest and sincere. Johnny Cash reveals himself as a man who "had it all" and knew it, but came to realize that he had nothing without God. He returned from near death and was healed spritually even more than physically. He was wise enough to examine himself, and then share it in writing with us all.

Remarkable memories, from the stage and from his most personal moments. Candid and self-revealing. Insights into his music as well. This book seems to have been written by a humble, God-fearing, changed man.

A great autobiography and a rewarding easy read.

I will never wear a suit of white...
2006-03-17 - This autobio is written in simple and straightforward language by the Man In Black himself. Our family has been fans of Cash long before the new Hollywood hit 'Walk the Line' hit cinemas last year. However, this new wave of Cash in the spotlight has reminded us all of his remarkable story. Johnny's simple faith allowed him to beat the 'demons' and live out the rest of His life in truth and always attributing Glory where it was due. June was his guardian angel, if you ask me. God definitely gave him a gift when he brought June into his life. His story is a touching one and will show you the power of prayer and godly people in one's life. An easy read and worth every second spend reading it. =)

Nice collection of anecdotes
2006-02-22 - I read Mr. Cash's second autobiography, Cash, before I read this one, but I still appreciated the additional anecdotes of the times that he lived and performed in, how he got his life on track, and how fervent he was about his Christianity. You can definitely hear that it is the same voice in both books, and they make a nice pair to read together.

I wish he'd delved into his courtship of June, but that's just me being nosy. All in all a nice read and another wonderful memento for his family.

From One Extreme to The Other, Demons to God.
2005-09-05 - He looked just like an average person when he was young. Later he became a personna to beat all. He fulfilled his destiny to sing God's praises to the convicts in prison and to try to live up to the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Man in Black was asked if he was "going to a funeral" when because he started to wear black outfits when he performed, going back to 1954, was called a troubadour, an English balladeer, like Waylon Jennings. His theme song was 'I Walk The Line,' and he sang many styles in many genres. In the '70s, his career had reached international proportions.

The first J.C. recording I remember liking was 'A Boy Called Sue' and I did love the song 'Shifting, Whispering Sands,' which he also recorded. In 1976, he had a #1 'One Piece At A Time' -- I am wondering if that is the one about putting together a car out of junk parts. His first single recording (not an album) was in 1955. I was told in 2002 that he had made a good recording of 'The Long Black Veil,' one of my favorite ballads. I found it on a Cash CD, taped that song several times and gave the CD to the person who alerted me as to its existence. There is a new movie coming out soon about his life in which he sings 'Ring of Fire.'

In 1982, he made an album produced by Rodney Crowell, one of my favorite non-stars. I had a tape of some of his road songs, and I loved them all; then, foolishly, I sent it to someone I thought might enjoy it. I wish I had been selfish and kept it.

He was a reader: THE ROBE, QUO VADIS, THE SILVER CHALICE, and PILLAR OF IRON influenced him to go to Israel in November, 1971, to make a movie. It was a semi-documentary and it was magical to film on Mount Arabel, overlooking Galilee and in the Church of Beatitudes. He promised God that if he could live through all of the abuse he had perpetrated on his body, he would be his "Superstar" to set a good example for the young.

He tells of a near-death experience after his bypass surgery in 1988, the "essence" of light as he drifted off but the doctors in Nashville worked diligently to save him. He says he was restored to his "senses." "I never forgot that light, and it changed me." Life meant more to him, became very moving just to look at mundane, everyday things.

He felt he'd come "full circle" at a festival in England, back to the "bare bones." pre-stardom, pre-Memphis (SUN records) days. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Florence, Alabama, and the Songwriters' Hall of Fame. He always appeared to be the bad guy, but actually he was very religious despite his long bout with alcoholism. We miss him and June Carter Cash, the mother of his only son, John Carter Cash.

The photo section was nice and we could see both families combined by his marriage into the Carter family. They had a grand spread out home outside of Nashville, and he stayed active with his music and enjoying life as it came. He was a philosopher in many ways, especially in his choice of songs to record.