Hank Audiobook By Mark Ribowsky cover art

Hank

The Short Life and Long Country Road of Hank Williams

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Hank

By: Mark Ribowsky
Narrated by: Tom Perkins
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About this listen

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
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Detailed Biography • Remarkable Tale • Great Narration • Fascinating Listen • Well-written Book • Excellent Reader
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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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lots of new info I didn't know. Every Hank fan needs to read this book

great

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