In Cash's first authorized biography, author Steve Turner sifts the man from the legend and presents a picture of the often contradictory figure of one of the most influential figures in American music and pop-culture. Born to a devout mother and an often rigid father, Cash grew up in rural poverty and was exposed to death and suffering at an early age. After military service, he adopted a music career that took him to the heights of popularity, fame, and wealth but also to the depths of insecurity, addiction, and despair. We see Johnny Cash not only as a performer and recording artist, but also as a neighbor, church member, fisherman, father, brother, husband and friend.