Includes bibliographical references and index.

Dyess and the dream -- Vivian and the Air Force -- Memphis and Sam Phillips -- Sun records, the Tennessee two, and Boom Chicka Boom -- "Hey, Porter," "Folsom Prison Blues," and a baby girl -- Louisiana hayride and "I Walk the Line" -- Columbia records, "Big River," and pills -- Hollywood, Town hall party, and Lorrie Collins -- "Ride This Train" and the Huntsville prison rodeo -- Billie Jean and the marriage proposal -- Casitas springs and Saul Holiff -- June Carter -- Drugs and Carnegie Hall -- "Ring of Fire," "Understand Your Man," and the troops in the far East -- Newport, Bob Dylan, "Ira Hayes," and Ballads of the True West -- Los Padres fire and the El Paso drug bust -- Deathwatch -- Divorce, Bob Johnston, and a suicide tale -- Folsom prison and marrying June -- Johnny Cash show and superstardom -- Kris Kristofferson, Billy Graham, and Anita Carter -- "It's a Boy" and the White House -- Israel and the calling -- Gospel Road and a change of managers -- Family man and national icon -- Losing the muse -- Pills return and all hell breaks loose -- No one's listening -- At Betty Ford and dropped by Columbia records -- Beginning of the Mercury era and heart surgery -- Branson, the rock and roll hall of fame, and U2 -- Rick Rubin -- End of the concert trail and struggling wtih physical pain -- A hero again -- "The Man Comes Around" and "Hurt" -- Final days -- Epilogue.