Loading...
19th out of 411 books
—
305 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Cash
He was the "Man in Black," a country music legend, and the quintessential American troubadour. He was an icon of rugged individualism who had been to hell and back, telling the tale as never before. In his unforgettable autobiography, Johnny Cash tells the truth about the highs and lows, the struggles and hard-won triumphs, and the people who shaped him.
In his o
...morePaperback, 404 pages
Published
October 1st 2003
by HarperSanFrancisco
(first published 1997)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
6,476)
I usually find entertainer biographies sort of boring. I rarely read them, or if I do pick one up, it’s unlikely I’ll even finish it. That proved not to be the case with Johnny Cash’s autobiography, Cash. I’m guessing the book was probably organized and written by Patrick Carr, with Cash supplying the tapes. But Carr stays out of the way, and from page 1, it’s Cash’s voice that you hear. What a life! A lot of it I already knew, the drugs, the music, June Carter. And some I didn’t (a near fa...more
view all 3 comments
This isnt one of those ghostwritten autobiographies. Neither is it some crazy tell all, get the skeletons out of the closet, woe is me story.
This is exactly what it says: Cash by Johnny Cash. It's the Man In Black telling his own story. In his own voice.
He tells you how to pick cotton, the real story of blue suede shoes, what it feels like to dig imaginary spiders out of your own skin, and why he painted the windows on his camper black. Answer: so he could sleep dur...more
This is exactly what it says: Cash by Johnny Cash. It's the Man In Black telling his own story. In his own voice.
He tells you how to pick cotton, the real story of blue suede shoes, what it feels like to dig imaginary spiders out of your own skin, and why he painted the windows on his camper black. Answer: so he could sleep dur...more
Well, first thing's first. I really think this was built up too much. I was told it was one of the greatest autobiographies ever, a love story, about him and June, but that wasn't the case. I don't think it helped that I know very little about his music career, but I thought that wouldn't matter cos he'd write about it, which he did, but it was all abit muddled. I also wanted to learn all about his drug problem and although he talked about it, it wasn't anything more than something you'd find on...more
Ever since the character played by John Cusak in the movie High Fidelity listed "Cash by Johnny Cash" as his number one book I knew I would have to read it. I sure didn't hurt that I loved this movie a whole lot. The book proved not to be my number one favorite but certainly was an eye opener and a fast fun book in many respects.
Cash is pretty easy to read, straightforward, honest and informative. His life story is definitely worthy of a book (or two). From very humble beg...more
Cash is pretty easy to read, straightforward, honest and informative. His life story is definitely worthy of a book (or two). From very humble beg...more
El
rated it
Recommended to El by:
The movie, High Fidelity.
Shelves:
cultural-studies-and-other,
radio-ga-ga
The thing about a lot of memoirs written by celebrities in their later years is that they're given a lot of leeway to... ramble. Johnny Cash was no exception, and let's be honest - it's Johnny Cash. Who in their right mind would tell him, "Hey, why don't you reign it in a little, huh buddy?" That was never going to happen. So Cash wrote about his life, and sometimes it made sense and sometimes it made something a little shy of sense, but it's still his memoir. And he deserved the ...more
If "Walk The Line" had followed this book more closely, it wouldn't have been such a tremendous cinematic failure. Of course, I don't mean success-wise. That sentimental cheese-fest did just fine at the box office and the Academy. But The Man In Black, good Christian though he was, was also one of the biggest rebels in rock and roll history. "Walk the Line" made him look like such a pussy.
In the movie High Fidelity, the main character is talking about the well-known books he has read and then concludes with, "But I have to say my all time favorite book is Johnny Cash's autobiography, Cash by Johnny Cash." This line in this movie is the sole reason I first decided to read this book. It captured me almost immediately as Cash describes growing up poor in the South and picking cotton. His life story is incredible and told with all the beauty and lyrical language that made h...more
I normally don't read autobiographies, but after watching the film 'Walk the Line' I felt I had to know more about this man. I was not disappointed! While most celebrity memoirs are terribly written, this one was eloquent and heartfelt, and really gave me the feeling that I was sitting on Johnny Cash's porch with him whilst he told me the story. Full of personal, funny anecdotes about his family and friends, his experiences on the road and a few glimpses into the songs he has written, you begin ...more
I am a fan of Johnny Cash and it was a great loss to music when he sadly passed away in 2003. His autobiography is very honest, he has many regrets in his life and he takes responsibility for his mistakes but what I liked the most about the book was how much joy he found in life, I felt that he had been through a long journey with high and low points but he finally got there, where he wanted to be in his life. I also liked when he confronts the rumour that he served time in Folsom prison, he w...more
johnny cash was a good man! he tells honest stories of music history and little secrets of his life. he lends great knowledge on how he overcame his hardships, dealt with success, and being a man of God. and you'll never hear a love story better than johnny and june carter.
My neighbour lent me this after I said I liked his music - but truthfully I used to dislike his stuff when I was growing up (always thought of it as my parent's music - Ring of Fire, Boy named Sue etc) - his later stuff 1994 onwards is truly magnificent and irresistable. For most of its length this book is pretty compelling, despite the cliche a page quota, because his life is amazing and packed with incident, but the last few chapters about God and such (may be fascinating to some I'm sure) wer...more
I've heard really great things about this book. I was ultimately let down. The first 100 pages were ok. Everything after was uninteresting to say the least. The only saving grace was that Cash wrote it (as opposed to using a ghost writer). Other than that, the only interesting parts were his recounting of early Sun Records stuff (which may only take up about 20 pages of the text). I don't get how this book has garnered such a following. That is unless you are interested in Cash's thoughts...more
Matt Chic
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who only saw 'i walk the line'
probably the best book i ever read. better than the bible, and i've never even read that! plus, and not that it's preachy, i almost believe in god after reading this. take that bible (which i've never even read)!!
Bigmuzz
added it
a good read that explores various episodes in the life of the Man In Black. very interesting reading about his early childhood years, his early recording career, and his extended struggles with addictions. it does also delve a lot into his interest and practice of religion (like his book 'Man In White'), which can become a tad repetitive and boring, but he doesn't try and force it down your throat as some others tend to. i read this as a fan of much of cash's music and the film "Walk The Li...more
This is the worst piece of crap biography I have ever read in my life. For a guy that seemed to have lived such a fantastic life, none of it was shared here in this book. What was shared was a bunch of boring, unfunny stories about a bunch of old dead guys no one really cares about. He description of his houses, and his endless babbling about his faith couldn't have made me sleepier if I downed a pack of Ambien and then shot myself full of horse tranquilizers. And by the way, the thought cam...more
Great book. Only for the true Johnny Cash fans? NO! It's a great book! I personally love Johnny Cash so this is a great book to me!
I remember my dad picking at the guitar or banjo singing Folsom Prison, before I knew what that was. I always had a respect for Johnny Cash, this book enhanced it. Its like listening to old timers, which I am getting nearer to, talk about the stories of their lives. I always loved listening to those stories, and this book was no exception to those stories. This autobiography was a smooth, easy read, hard to put down. Few autobiographies get there.
I appreciated how he never glorifies his fa...more
I appreciated how he never glorifies his fa...more
I have always liked Johnny Cash and his music and it was an easy, casual read written in what seems to be Johnny's own, homey conversational tone. It was also a pleasant surprise to find that he is much more complex, intelligent, caring and loving and aware than the movie portrays.
While he does discuss his dark side with amphetamine addiction and his predilection for violence during his serial addictions and even several near death experiences, it was pleasant to note how much he appreciat...more
While he does discuss his dark side with amphetamine addiction and his predilection for violence during his serial addictions and even several near death experiences, it was pleasant to note how much he appreciat...more
When I started listening to popular music back in the 1960's my first favorite song was Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. It was probably 1968, I was 11 years old and I loved country music. Even though I moved on to different music as I got older I have always had a liking for Johnny Cash and his music. I guess that feeling never left me, I rented Walk The Line 3 times and bought the CD. I enjoyed reading this book, Johnny Cash is a colorful character with a rich mellow voice as an author,...more
Given the hype surrounding Johnny Cash for the previous 7 or 8 years, I had sort of reached a saturation point, where I just didn't need any more. I had loved his music for a long time, appreciated the man and the voice he had, but didn't need much else. Someone bought me this for Christmas, and it was one of the most moving things I had ever read. He is honest, humble, and most importantly, contemplative about his life and what it means. It changed dramatically the way I felt and thought ab...more
Ostrich wounds and flying hospitals. 'Nuff said.
I have to admit that it did cross my mind that I have now read all the books mentioned as good reads in "High Fidelity". Just saying. Cash by Johnny Cash is the second best auto-biography I ever read compared to Malcolm X's. The writing style sounds exactly like him talking. There is a stream of consciousness that really makes you feel like you are on a fishing trip with him.
I have always loved in interviews when the subject is asked about their influences. To learn w...more
I have always loved in interviews when the subject is asked about their influences. To learn w...more
A book full of charm and honesty. It has been written in a style so true to his distinctive manner of expression that I almost felt like I was sitting with him on the porch of his home in Jamaica, listening to an old man tell his stories. It is not written chronologically either, which feels more like he is recounting memories as they occur to him. This slightly haphazard structure just adds to its charm.
The book charts Cash's incredible journey taking in loss, profound grief, stardom,...more
The book charts Cash's incredible journey taking in loss, profound grief, stardom,...more
this book was meant to be a gift for my father which i believe i have selfishly kept for myself-the movie "walk the line" tries to follow his story well-the part where he loses his beloved older brother breaks your heart-his autobiography also includes a memorable chapter of mr.cash's life which is very interesting -when he and his family are taken captive by intruders during christmas dinner at his estate in jamaica (being famous/wealthy is not always easy)-highly reccomended book if ...more
“Cash: The Autobiography” is a comfortable read that recalls much of the early life of the iconic music maker. Often related from the comforts of his many houses, the warmth and sincerity of a lifetime on the road lends an air honesty and peace with the man who has been everywhere.
The paperback, released along with the motion picture “I Walk the Line,” provides a tapestry that is layers deep. John’s voice, along with that of Patrick Carr is simple and honestly reflective. A lifetime...more
The paperback, released along with the motion picture “I Walk the Line,” provides a tapestry that is layers deep. John’s voice, along with that of Patrick Carr is simple and honestly reflective. A lifetime...more
One night I met a stripper who insisted that she loved reading. Her favorite genre? Autobiographies. And so in an effort to win her affection I mentioned in a self-deprecating manner that one of my favorite autobiographies was Cash by Johnny Cash. The opportunity to say such an awesome sentence only comes around once in every millennium (and High-Fidelity quotes). It not only revealed by taste in music, it was atypical and it has a cool title.
In the end, we ended up starting a book cl...more
In the end, we ended up starting a book cl...more
I've read this book twice now, and I think it's one of the best books I've ever read. It's certainly one of the best autobiographies I've ever read.
This is not just a history of Johnny Cash's career and life. It's a journey through Johnny's everyday life as he was writing it. He brings you with him to his house in Jamaica, his farm in Tennessee, and on the road to all manner of cities and towns where he performs. He shares his insights on music, books, religion, and the world in ...more
This is not just a history of Johnny Cash's career and life. It's a journey through Johnny's everyday life as he was writing it. He brings you with him to his house in Jamaica, his farm in Tennessee, and on the road to all manner of cities and towns where he performs. He shares his insights on music, books, religion, and the world in ...more
Basically this book is about as close as you’ll get to sitting on the back deck of Johnny Cash’s house at 8:00 in the morning, drinking a cup of coffee and hearing him tell a bunch of stories. The book is not chronological, and it doesn’t even fit into any logical order. But, somehow the stories all connect to one another and give the book this perfect flow. It’s like when he finishes telling one story that will somehow remind him of something else so he just starts talking about that for a w...more
Jennifer
added it
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes Cash, Country, or biographies
Shelves:
autobiographymemoir
Well, I've never read his other books, or any other books about Mr. Cash, for that matter... He wrote this one, and I think this is the one they used as the basis for the movie... It's written in his later years, 1997 I believe, and it's a look back over nearly 50 years of his life on the country music scene... he talks openly and directly about his addictions, and his many setbacks in conquering them... he talks about his band, the various guys who have played with him over the years, some funn...more
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Cash's music. As well, anyone who knows me knows that I hate country music. I grew up with his music, since my dad was a huge fan. When I was younger, I didn't appreciate Johnny Cash or what he stood for really. But as I got older, and started to learn more about him, my respect and admiration for him grew. At the time he debuted, he was singing about subjects that most didn't even think about at that time. He defended those who couldn't defend themselve...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Johnny Cash, born J. R. Cash, also known as "The Man in Black", was a multiple Grammy Award-winning American country singer-songwriter. Cash is widely considered to be one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century.
Cash was known for his deep, distinctive voice, his trademark dark clothing which earned him his nickname, the boom-chick-a-boom or "freig...more
More about Johnny Cash...
Cash was known for his deep, distinctive voice, his trademark dark clothing which earned him his nickname, the boom-chick-a-boom or "freig...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“They're powerful, those songs. At times they've been my only way back, the only door out of the dark, bad places the black dog calls home.”
—
6 people liked it
“The beer and the wurst were wonderful, but I was dying to be back in the South, where the livin' was easy, where the fish were jumpin', where the cotton grew high.”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
