Hank Audiobook By Mark Ribowsky cover art

Hank

The Short Life and Long Country Road of Hank Williams

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Hank

By: Mark Ribowsky
Narrated by: Tom Perkins
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.79

Buy for $25.79

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

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 Entertainment & Celebrities Music Emotionally Gripping

People who viewed this also viewed...

The Hag Audiobook By Marc Eliot cover art
The Hag By: Marc Eliot
Waylon Audiobook By Waylon Jennings, Lenny Kaye cover art
Waylon By: Waylon Jennings, and others
Hank Williams Audiobook By Newbury Publishing cover art
Hank Williams By: Newbury Publishing
Waylon Audiobook By Terry Jennings, David Thomas - contributor cover art
Waylon By: Terry Jennings, and others
The Grand Tour Audiobook By Rich Kienzle cover art
The Grand Tour By: Rich Kienzle
Life Audiobook By Keith Richards, James Fox cover art
Life By: Keith Richards, and others
Detailed Research • Fascinating Biography • Excellent Writing • Refreshing Honesty • Comprehensive Storytelling
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
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.

Sad Man Sad Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

interesting history of a country legend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Well written and entertaining. The book moves quickly does not drag. The reader is excellent I want to find more titles read by him.

The best Hank Williams bio

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Well read and pretty thorough. I get the sense that the author dug up enough to form some conclusions about Mr. Williams. All in all it’s a great listen for Hank fans, or country music fans in general.

Are you sure Hank done it this way?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Leaves nothing out, except Hank III

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Good book, bad subject

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

From beginning to end Hank’s life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A cautionary tale for any would-be celebrity, a foolish man destroyed by alcohol and the greed of others. Had Elvis read this book, perhaps he would have lived differently. Deep research and excellent writing, topped off by a perfect narration, make this book a fascinating, heartbreaking listen. Especially if you have access to the songs as they are described.

A Remarkable Tale of Woe

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed the book. I thought the narrator did a good job albeit a bit monotone through the boring parts. I can see how some “hardcore” Hank Sr. fans found some issues with it but if you’re just a general fan of old country I think it’s worth it.

Half drunk and hollow eyed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Hit all the spots good and bad. I would like an audio book with just the songs recordings instruments etc instead of the drinking the songs and performances were his strength this would sell light and positive

Well it is dark as night but fairly accurate

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews