Rating: 
Summary: Check it out of your local library instead.
Review: As a long-time Johnny Cash fan, I really wanted to like this book since I thought a spiritual biography was such an interesting concept but the book ended up feeling, as someone already mentioned, like a high school term paper.
The author constantly made use of other previously published books and articles about Mr. Cash so nothing truly new was covered. Instead of actually writing anything fresh, the author pieced together a collage of quotations from Rolling Stone and Cash's autobiographies. And I felt the author's tendency to name-drop was embarrassing and insulting to Mr. Cash. A country legend doesn't need the approval of musicians with 15-minute careers. It felt like a blatant attempt to prove how relevant Johnny Cash is to current music (which is totally unnecessary- Johnny Cash is in a class by himself).
This book came out right after Mr. Cash's death so I can only speculate that it must have been rushed out to capitalize on public interest. Maybe if given more time, more resources, and a more polished author, the product could have been worth more than 2 stars.
I do hope another author tackles this subject material soon though since an in-depth spiritual biography would be fascinating to read.
Rating: 
Summary: From Rebellion to Redemption, Cash book pays dividends
Review: Beyond the surface image of Johnny Cash as the "man in black," there was a roiling sea of contradiciton and conflict: Cash was a deeply spiritual human being, even as he wrestled with a host of demons that snapped at his soul like hellhounds.Cash has inspired performers from every corner of popular music, from Kid Rock and Trent Reznor to U2's Bono (who declares that any man is "a sissy" next to Cash). And here, in a punchy, sinewy style befitting his subject, author Dave Urbanski traces Cash's walk towards salvation, stumbles and all. This is no sugar-coated tome that ties all of the loose ends together in a nice bow. What Urbanski has achieved through painstaking research is a portrait that shows Cash for what he is--deeply flawed, yet worthy of deep awe. Perhaps because Cash was so honest about his shortcomings--both in his life and art--his spiritual quest resonated with so many, from upstanding evangelical Christians to the thieves and murderers he sang for at Folsom and San Quentin. Urbanski plunges the reader headfirst into the heartbreak and triumph, the creative ferment and personal torment. It is a book not to be missed, whether you a fan of Cash, country music, or a reader fascinated by the arc of an artist's life that was full of paradox and passion. Lou Carlozo
Columnist/ Paste Magazine
Chicago, Ill.
Rating:
Summary: From Rebellion to Redemption, Cash book pays dividends
Review: Beyond the surface image of Johnny Cash as the "man in black," there was a roiling sea of contradiciton and conflict: Cash was a deeply spiritual human being, even as he wrestled with a host of demons that snapped at his soul like hellhounds. Cash has inspired performers from every corner of popular music, from Kid Rock and Trent Reznor to U2's Bono (who declares that any man is "a sissy" next to Cash). And here, in a punchy, sinewy style befitting his subject, author Dave Urbanski traces Cash's walk towards salvation, stumbles and all. This is no sugar-coated tome that ties all of the loose ends together in a nice bow. What Urbanski has achieved through painstaking research is a portrait that shows Cash for what he is--deeply flawed, yet worthy of deep awe. Perhaps because Cash was so honest about his shortcomings--both in his life and art--his spiritual quest resonated with so many, from upstanding evangelical Christians to the thieves and murderers he sang for at Folsom and San Quentin. Urbanski plunges the reader headfirst into the heartbreak and triumph, the creative ferment and personal torment. It is a book not to be missed, whether you a fan of Cash, country music, or a reader fascinated by the arc of an artist's life that was full of paradox and passion. Lou Carlozo
Columnist/ Paste Magazine
Chicago, Ill.
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading for any Cash Curriculum
Review: Do not begin this book if you have other commitments. It demands to be devoured in great gulps, not unlike the Man in Black's approach to life. Urbanski effectively chronicles Cash's thundering full-throttle trek through 71 years with both feet on the gas. This book drags the reader over Cash's rocky road, with no protection from the bumps and bruises but with full access to the amazing scenic turnouts. Cash's journey often embraced extremes and excesses but it also resulted in a life full to the brim with victory, failure, tragedy, love, sin, grace, and forgiveness. As Urbanski pulled me from one page to the next, a quote I remember as Gandhi's continually came to mind: "I have often considered being a follower of Christ except for Christians." Had they known each other, Cash would have given Gandhi ample cause to reject Jesus. Cash was a man who knew first-hand the depths to which humanity can sink. Urbanski's research brings these depths to life with rage, chronic substance abuse, collapsed relationships and other failures splattered across the pages. These dark inconsistencies of Cash's life, however, make a stunning backdrop for the brilliance of his many successes. What shines through the pages most clearly, however, is the fact that Cash readily owned his failings and gratefully fell on the grace of a God willing to save him anyway. In this, Cash saw what Gandhi apparently did not: that Christ came for sinners, failures, and losers, not for perfect people who needed no Savior. This book uniquely strikes the heart of what Johnny Cash held most dear, rendering it required reading for anyone wishing to know the man. With artful attention to detail, Urbanski covers his canvas with an extensive array of colors that blend to a truly rich, deep shade of Black. The book's strong focus on musical review may at times distract those with less interest in Cash's songs and more interest in his soul. (Music aficionados, however, will enjoy the feast.) Still, every reader will be truly inspired by the life of this broken man who lived with his feet in the dirt, his eyes on Heaven, and his hand in God's.
Rating:
Summary: Skip this book and read the autobiography
Review: I had hoped the author would have some true insight to Mr Cash's life and work, but this most definitely is not the case. The book reads like a school term paper, no real insight just a gathering of quotes providing a workman-like overview of Mr Cash's life and work with emphasis placed on the religious aspects. Not a bad book, but definitely not good either. A reader would be much better served with Mr Cash's autobiography.
Rating:
Summary: The Music & Life of a Complicated Pilgrim
Review: I have always said that I don't like much country music, but I always qualified it by saying "...except for Johnny Cash". Johnny Cash has always been an exception in more ways than one. Dave Urbanski has written a book that explores much more than the late living legends career, in fact it is more about his interior journey, which had the hairpin twists and turns of a complicated pilgrim. This is a moving and satisfying read. Beyond the fame, fortune, drugs and controversy, there was the private struggle of a man trying to come to grips with his demons and walk with his Lord. This is a tour of some of that journey, and provides inspiration for anyone who is walking the even narrower path of navigating between their faith and their art. This story, like some of the greatest heroes and heroines of the Bible, proves that a rocky road does not prevent a Christian from finishing well. I have no doubt that when Johnny stood before the throne of God, he heard: "Well done, though good and faithful servant". This book kept me up at night, reading one chapter after the next, promising myself that I'd stop after the next chapter, and then not being able to. Though the world has lost a legend, I was happy while reading this, to think of Johnny rejoicing in Heaven, and providing stellar worship! I recommend this book to anyone, regardless of whether they were a fan of his music or not. This story transcends musical genres and cultural divisions, much like Johnny Cash himself.
Rating:
Summary: Puts you right in the middle of Cash's raw existence
Review: I truly loved this book. I learned so much and was glued to the drama of
Cash's life with every turn of the page. The author goes beyond merely
regurgitating facts and quotes; instead he chronicles the events that shaped
Cash's life with a technicolor writing style that puts you right in the middle
of Cash's raw, full-throttle existence. When my co-workers saw The Man Comes
Around on my desk, they were intrigued enough to order copies for themselves;
they were so moved that they got more copies for their friends and
family...obviously a big hit around here! I now know that a ton has been written
and said about Johnny Cash through the years, but I also now know that The Man
Comes Around goes further in thoroughly detailing what was arguably the most
important part of Cash's life...his soul and his spiritual journey. An inspiring
read!
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading for any Cash Curriculum
Review: I was very inspired by this transparent view of Johnny Cash's Christian walk. This book is great for people who don't feel like they are Christians because they don't fit the mold of the right-wing, conservative evangelical too well. Neither did Johnny Cash, but after finishing this book, it seemed to me like he had an insight into what it truly means to be a Christian than most of us will never attain. If I had to criticize the book for anything, it would be the detail the author goes into on Cash's musical career. It is clear that the author is a music buff, and fellow music buffs will no doubt enjoy this aspect of the book. However, for those who pick up the book solely to gain a glimpse into Cash's spiritual journey and faith struggles, some sections of the book which cover Cash's musical genius and innovation will become rather tedious. Overall, highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Good look at a very real Christian.
Review: I was very inspired by this transparent view of Johnny Cash's Christian walk. This book is great for people who don't feel like they are Christians because they don't fit the mold of the right-wing, conservative evangelical too well. Neither did Johnny Cash, but after finishing this book, it seemed to me like he had an insight into what it truly means to be a Christian than most of us will never attain. If I had to criticize the book for anything, it would be the detail the author goes into on Cash's musical career. It is clear that the author is a music buff, and fellow music buffs will no doubt enjoy this aspect of the book. However, for those who pick up the book solely to gain a glimpse into Cash's spiritual journey and faith struggles, some sections of the book which cover Cash's musical genius and innovation will become rather tedious. Overall, highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The Man Comes Around...
Review: I'm not sure why everything written about Johnny Cash is so entertaining. This book is no exception. It is a quick runthrough of his career and the spiritual journey underlining it all. It is very informative and very inspiring! The book is for any fan of Johnny Cash's. You don't have to be a religious person to get a lot out of this book.
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