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REVIEW

Johnny Cash's Very American Recordings

Rodney Clapp's ambitious scope occasionally confines the musical icon to the shadows in an otherwise illuminating tour.

Review by Randall J. Stephens | posted 5/29/2008 10:08AM

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Much of Johnny Cash and the Great American Contradiction reads like an American jeremiad. "Like millions of other Americans," laments Clapp, "by the winter and spring of 2002 I found myself less at ease with an array of family, friends, and fellow churchgoers" who mistook "America for the church." Like Charles Marsh, Randall Balmer, Jim Wallis, and others, Clapp aims his sights at the Religious Right. Cash is a fitting Jeremiah, challenging religious and political conservatism and calling the country back to God. Besides a few unnecessary diversions here and there, Clapp ably brings that fiery Christian singer and American icon to life in these pages.

Randall J. Stephens is assistant professor of history at Eastern Nazarene College.

Related elsewhere:

An excerpt from Johnny Cash and the Great American Contradiction: Christianity and the Battle for the Soul of the Nation and an excerpt on Pentecostalism and early rock from Stephens' book, The Fire Spreads, are posted on our site today.

More articles about faith and musicians, including Eric Clapton, John Lennon, and Salt-N-Pepa, are available in our full-coverage music section.

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May (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 52

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[Reader Reviews]

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kathy Cash

Posted: May 30, 2008 11:46 AM


I've wondered about this book, but was still "on the fence" about buying and reading it. Thank you for your review. I'll pass. I know the real man, he is my Dad. That's all I need to know. Kathy Cash kathycash.com

anne	Posted: May 29, 2008 7:06 PM


I really admire Johnny Cash, but I think I'll skip this one. For an excellent book about Johnny Cash, pick up Steve Turner's authorized biography, The Man Called Cash: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend. It describes Cash's hills and valleys without flinching, but it also doesn't appear to have any sort of agenda.

barbara

Posted: May 29, 2008 3:43 PM

My first impulse was to hurry out to purchase the book. Johnny Cash was the embodiment of a believer striving for faithfulness, failing many times, but continuing to seek the One who is all holiness. He really is an inspiration to many who don't feel capable of fulfilling the earthly church's demands. But....I'm glad the review also included the author's message against the "Christian Right." I'm tired of hidden agendas, and won't be purchasing after all. Tnx for the heads up.

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