In this, the definitive biography of an American legend, Robert Hilburn conveys the unvarnished truth about a musical superstar. Johnny Cash's extraordinary career stretched from his days at Sun Records with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis to the remarkable creative last hurrah, at age 69, that resulted in the brave, moving "Hurt" video.

Dyess and the dream -- Vivian and the Air Force -- Memphis and Sam Phillips -- Sun records, the Tennessee two, and Boom Chicka Boom -- "Hey, Porter," "Folsom Prison Blues," and a baby girl -- Louisiana hayride and "I Walk the Line" -- Columbia records, "Big River," and pills -- Hollywood, Town hall party, and Lorrie Collins -- "Ride This Train" and the Huntsville prison rodeo -- Billie Jean and the marriage proposal -- Casitas springs and Saul Holiff -- June Carter -- The drugs and Carnegie Hall -- "Ring of Fire," "Understand Your Man," and the troops in the far East -- Newport, Bob Dylan, "Ira Hayes," and Ballads of the True West -- The Los Padres fire and the El Paso drug bust -- The deathwatch -- The divorce, Bob Johnston, and a suicide tale -- Folsom prison and marrying June -- The Johnny Cash show and superstardom -- Kris Kristofferson, Billy Graham, and Anita Carter -- "It's a Boy" and the White House -- Israel and the calling -- The Gospel Road and a change of managers -- Family man and national icon -- Losing the muse -- The pills return and all hell breaks loose -- No one's listening -- At Betty Ford and dropped by Columbia records -- The beginning of the Mercury era and heart surgery -- Branson, the rock and roll hall of fame, and U2 -- Rick Rubin -- The end of the concert trail and struggling wtih physical pain -- A hero again -- "The Man Comes Around" and "Hurt" -- The final days.