Hank

The Short Life and Long Country Road of Hank Williams

By: Mark Ribowsky

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

After he died in the backseat of a Cadillac at the age of 29, Hank Williams - a frail, flawed man who had become country music's first real star - instantly morphed into its first tragic martyr. Having hit the heights with simple songs of despair, depression, and tainted love, he would, with that outlaw swagger, become in death a template for the rock generation to follow.

Six decades later, Mark Ribowsky now weaves together the first fully realized biography of Hank Williams in a generation. Examining his music while also re-creating days and nights choked in booze and desperation, Ribowsky traces the miraculous rise of this music legend - from the dirt roads of rural Alabama to the now-immortal stage of the Grand Ole Opry and finally to a sad, lonely end on New Year's Day 1953. The result is an original work that promises to uncover the real Hank beneath the myths that have long enshrouded his legacy.

©2017 Mark Ribowsky (P)2016 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Sad Man Sad Story

The life and rough times of Hank Williams. I was always interested to know how his career went and what his career could have been.

interesting history of a country legend

great narration but the story was a slow depressing descent. I wonder how this man managed to fillander and drug so much at such a young age but chronic pain, a greedy medical imposter, and spinal cord damage won out in the end. Hank's talent continues to live on in his music.

Leaves nothing out, except Hank III

It’s a great story; tells the whole story pretty much of a man who was way more of a myth and a legend to me. Fascinating! Narrator was playing it more like a “Mutual of Omaha” voiceover? Could have used a real character like Sam Elliot, but that would have been expensive. Great book though? Was hoping they would have at least mentioned Sheldon (Hank III), as he really looks and sounds like his grand daddy.

Good book, bad subject

I thought this was a well written, well performed book. I can’t say I came away with much affection for Hank Williams after this story though. While he was indeed a great songwriter and performer he was not a great person. With his substance abuse and general disregard for most anyone or anything made for an interesting companion to his public image. That is how humans are though and I was happy to listen to what I think is a fine audio book.

From beginning to end Hank’s life

Usually a book this long loses my interest. This one didn’t. It went into a bit much detail about every song but other than that I considered it a fantastic read. Lots and lots of details I never knew about Hank. I came away with an entirely different perspective of the Hank Williams I grew up listening to. He was definitely a unique individual.