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Willie Nelson: An Epic Life By Joe Nick Patoski ( Little, Brown and Company )
Release Date: 2008-04
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $27.99
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Product Description
From his first performance at age four, Willie Nelson was driven to make music and live life on his own terms. But though he is a songwriter of exceptional depth - "Crazy" was one of his early classics - Willie only found success after abandoning Nashville and moving to Austin, Texas.
Red Headed Stranger made country cool to a new generation of fans. Wanted: The Outlaws became the first country album to sell a million copies. And "On the Road Again" became the anthem for Americans on the move. A craggy-faced, pot-smoking philosopher, Willie Nelson is one of America's great iconoclasts and idols.
Now Joe Nick Patoski draws on over 100 interviews with Willie and his family, band, and friends to tell Nelson's story, from humble Depression-era roots, to his musical education in Texas honky-tonks and his flirtations with whiskey, women, and weed; from his triumph with #1 hit "Always On My Mind" to his nearly career-ending battles with debt and the IRS; and his ultimate redemption and ascension to American hero (2008)
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 Skip it
I can understand that the reason for this book's existence may coincide with the fact that Willie Nelson recently turned 75. Unfortunately, with the glut of other Willie books currently on the market, the best part of this one is the picture on the cover. The cast of characters are all familiar to the hard-core fan by now, and the story has been told in half a dozen other books before - including Willie's own autobiography and Graeme Thomson's "Willie Nelson: The Outlaw" that only just came out in 2006. Even the picture section is pretty thin, with many already-familiar images, none of them in color. For someone who does not currently own a book on Mr. Nelson it would definitely be a good buy, as it certainly is comprehensive and a good effort; I personally checked this out of the public library to preview it before making the decision whether or not to part with $30.00, but I have to say that with five other Willie Nelson books already in my collection, I will skip this one.
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 The mythical Willie realized ( maggie101 )
I had the good fortune to not only live in Austin during the 70's "Willie" years but to have also been to his 3 day 1976 Gonzales picnic and to his 1980's picnic at his Pedernales place. I've also seen him play golf which is a site to behold. I'd always heard about his womanizing, drug use, and epic struggle to be a star but didn't know if all of it or even part of it, was true. This book puts all of those myths and rumors to rest. Yes indeed his first wife did beat him with a broom stick while he was passed out drunk! This book shows all of Shotgun Willie sitting around in his underwear. He's a mean drunk and a loyal friend. He's a drug abuser and a philanthropist. He's a "not there" father but a raiser of funds for churches, farmers, and friends with unpaid tax bills.
At times this book can be tedious with detail particularly about Willie's early music life. And, as another reader said,overloaded with compound sentences. But strap yourself in, get your beverage of choice, and enjoy reading about this true Red Headed Stranger.
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Willie Nelson: an Epic Life
Joe Nick Patoski has exhaustively researched the Man, and the book reflects his efforts. It's an entertaining read. Well worth the money.
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 Wonderful Willie
Joe Patoski's book on Willie Nelson is full of information not only on willie, but many other interesting places and people.
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Willie Nelson-An Epic Life ( dbanta5 )
This is one of the finest written books I have read in a long time. The kind of book you don't want to put down.
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