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I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny | 
| Author: Vivian Cash
Creator: Ann Sharpsteen
Publisher: Scribner
Category: Book
List Price: $27.00
Buy New: $2.70
You Save: $24.30 (90%)
New (33) Used (38) Collectible (2) from $2.69
Rating:  48 reviews
Sales Rank: 256050
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 1416532927
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.4216420922
EAN: 9781416532927
ASIN: 1416532927
Publication Date: September 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
I Walked the Line is a chronicle of first love, long-kept secrets, betrayal, forgiveness, and the truth--told at last by Johnny Cash's first wife, the mother of his four daughters. It is a book that had the full support of Johnny Cash, who insisted it was time for their story to be told, despite any painful revelations that might come to light as a result.Many myths and contradictions regarding the life of Johnny and his family have been perpetuated for decades in film and literature. Vivian exposes previously untold stories involving Johnny's drug addiction, his fraught family life, and their divorce in 1968, as well as the truth behind the writing of two of Johnny's most famous songs, "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire." Supplemented by a never-before-published archive of love letters and family photos, I Walked the Line offers a deeper look at one of the most sig- nificant artists in music history. Here, fans and readers can experience the extraordinary account of love and heartbreak between Johnny and Vivian, and come to understand Vivian's dignified silence over the years. Through this elegant, revealing, and powerful memoir, Vivian Cash's voice is finally heard.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 43 more reviews...
 It lived up to what I thought it would be March 13, 2009
M. Padgett (Georgia)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found this book to be nothing but the rantings of a woman scorned.
I picked it up while I was having coffee at B&N; and read it there. Most of the book is made up of love letters from John to her. The last chapters are Vivian's accounts of her life with John.
For the most part, all she talks about is how June did her wrong. June this, and June that.
One line that really stuck out to me was something along the lines of "Folsom prison went number one after we separated-Just my luck!"
That line really stuck out to me. It really answered my questions on Vivian's motivations for writing this book.
She bashes June to no end; and by the closing chapter, you're envisioning a two year old throwing a temper tantrum.
She says towards the end of the book, that she never read Cash's autobiography that he sent her. I whole heartily believe this;because if she had, she would have known that HIS account of his OWN life differs from hers.
I do believe she loved him. I really do. But I think she was mad because a huge meal ticket got away...and she was VERY jealous of June.
And her accounts on how Ring of fire was written....don't even get me started.
And why is she listed as Vivian Cash? She got remarried.
Don't waste your money.
 A lot of people loved Johnny Cash; but did anyone love him more than did Vivian? March 5, 2009
J. Guild (Toronto,Canada)
This is a wonderful book and shows a different side of Johnny Cash that was not seen by his many fans. The marriage between Johnny and Vivian had a lot more to it and lasted a lot longer than many realize. First of all there were three years ,while Johnny was in Europe in the Air Force that they were deeply in love ,communicated almost daily,developing and expanding their love before they were married.This was before Johnny's career in music even started or had they any idea of what a famous life was ahead for them. Through the letters we see the deep convictions Johnny had about life in general,his extremely deep faith,and deep love for Vivian.We also see the deep love that Vivian had for Johnny.Then came marriage and the unbelieveably rapid rise to music fame,the endless days away on the road,the lifestyle that came with it ,including the drinking and drugs,the raising of four children during thirteen years of marriage.
Although Vivian continued to love Johnny through these years,and remained faithful to him,she was unable to keep him from falling in love with June . She continued to love him all through the years and ,unbelievably never really seemed to allow hatred to consume her or even develop a hatred for June. It is hard to believe that Johnny would walk away from her,and there seems to be little reason that he ever had any hate for her ,even till the last years of his life.
What this book really shows, is that these people who make their living in entertainment world,lead such a complicated and driven lifestyle that few of us fans can even imagine.They give all,body and soul for the things that fame brings and in many,many cases lives are wrecked along the way.The price of fame comes very high and there is often heartache for themselves and family. Yes,there is also a lot of happiness as well.But in many ways their lives get taken over by the "legend".
It is easy to criticize others,but until one walks in their shoes,we shouldn't.The people who bring us so much happiness with their art deserve all the wealth and happiness they are able to get out of their fame;and instead of criticizing anyone or anything they do;we should just stop and think what a price they pay,and what a dull world it would be without them.
When I finished this book a couple of thoughts came to mind.Kris Kristofferson once said something to the effect about Johnny Cash that went something like this"He was a walking contradiction-partly truth and partly fiction".Then there's George Jones's song "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes"?.
A special thanks to Ann Sharpsteen for helping Vivian getting her story out to us ;and it just goes to prove that Superstars and Legends are real people too;and like the rest of us go through life's trials and tribulations,but even on a much greater scale.
One of the best books I've read! February 3, 2009
Michael D. Johnson (Ringgold GA USA)
It was a great look inside the man in black in his early years. I could'nt put this book down. It makes you think about Vivian and what she went through she was a great woman and my heart goes out to her and her children.
Poisoned By Bitterness = BORING! January 28, 2009
Barnabas Collins' Love Child (Mechanicsburg, PA United States)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I can't beleive this woman sustained her bitterness over her failed marriage for almost 40 years, only to spew forth her poisoned bile after Johnny and June were dead.
Several things bother me about this book: First, the name "Johnny". Anyone who has read Cash's books know that "Johnny" was the name he used in his public persona. To his family, he was called J.R., his friends called him simply John.
Secondly: The name "Vivian Cash"; as another reviewer points out, she remarried so that was no longer her name!
Third: The Ultimate Gross Out; this poor delusional woman claims that "Ring of Fire" was written about a "certain part" of her own anatomy! REALLY??? That must be why June Carter sang the song in the Johnny Cash Tribute (2002?) She wanted to pay homage to another woman's XXXX. PUL-EASE! I was totally disgusted by such a declaration. Obvously, this woman thinks way too much of herself and that "certain part".
Fourth: Many people, including himself, have commented over the years of Cash falling head over heels in love with June. So I'm supposed to beleive this bitter old woman that June did the seducing?
Fifth: "June got Cash started on Drugs"?; Too bad this harridan never read the copy of "Man in Black" that her ex-husband gave her. Then she would have known that the pills started long beore June showed up!
And last: She makes vague references (and some not so vague) to witnessing events that occured when she was no longer in the picture!
One more thing: Am I the only person to realize that the handwriting in the 3 reproduced letters is different in each one? The public is truely gulible! Not to speak ill of the dead (as this sad lady had no problems doing) but I wish she was alive so I could slap her!
 Very different from Johnny Cash's books November 24, 2008
G. Alvarez (California)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I just finished reading this book. And yes I do find that it was a very tragic thing for Vivian to go through. Most of the book is letters and of course Johnny seemed to be in love with her. But how do we now that they really were his letters for her? I've read his books also. And in his books he tells of things that happened in Germany that were very important to him.
What I don't understand is why he would not write about that to Vivian. Thats what makes me wonder if those letters are the real ones. And really, did she have to be that harsh to June. I was very disappointed that she would write some hurtful things when June wasn't around to defend herself. Very disappointing.
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