Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story Of Patsy Cline (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "Patsy Cline could never be summed up easily..." (more)
Key Phrases: lovesick blues, honky tonk angel, cowgirl outfits, Patsy Cline, New York, Grand Ole Opry (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This memorable biography of one of country music's most enduring legends is a revised abridgment of Patsy Cline , published in 1981. According to Nassour, Cline (1932-1963) was the first woman to demonstrate that country music could appeal to a wide audience. Bold and ambitious, she was a free-living, earthy performer whom producers sometimes found difficult to work with. She apparently had few close friends, but she showed generosity to any number of people, particularly talented young women singers such as Dottie West and Loretta Lynn. Her long-term association with producer Bill McCall was, financially, "probably the single biggest mistake Patsy made in her professional life," claims Nassour, but he gives McCall great credit for promoting Cline's career. Although Cline died in a plane crash 30 years ago, her musical influence has persisted. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...A warts and all look at Patsy Cline's turbulent career...The book is absorbing...superlative biography." -- Daily Post, Liverpool (England), March 1993

"...Done with respect ... and just enough down-and-dirty detail...Cline's life was a country song -- laughing outside, crying inside." -- New York Daily News, February 1993

"...Ellis Nassour’s take on her life is a worthy entry into the ranks of entertainment biographies." -- The Phoenix Gazette, William Porter, March 1993

"...Full of outrageous fun, but it also hits some raw nerves...A full portrait, not a Hollywood portrait..." -- Details Magazine, Michael Musto, February 1993

"...One of the most compelling biographies...written with great skill and the cooperation of [Cline's] family and friends..." -- Northern Echo [England], March 1993

"Gazes unflinchingly at its subject...The book to read." --Nashville Tennessean

"A revealing and absorbing book...What a dame! What a winner!" --Liz Smith

"Honest, no-holds-barred...Engrossing and sensitive." --Houston Post
-- Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Expanded edition (April 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312951582
• ISBN-13: 978-0312951580
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,187,400 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best by far!!!, December 6, 2002

By	Bob Poppie (New Orleans, La.) - See all my reviews

After reading all the bio's about Patsy Cline, I find this book,by:Ellis Nassour, by far the very best. The Intimate detail
is just out right awsome.Look's like a few other authors should take a few lessons! Definatly a 5 star rating!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Literary Hologram!, January 8, 2003

By	Reta Sylvester "justreta" (Springfield, MO USA) - See all my reviews

The only thing that comes close to Patsy Cline's haunting singing voice is the enthralling story of her tumultuous, yet victorious life - as told by biographer Ellis Nassour.
In "Honky Tonk Angel, the Intimate Story of Patsy Cline," Nassour has brought Patsy to "life" again. His sensitive, yet honest, recounting of the legendary singer's struggle to become a "star" in the male-dominated country music field is filled with her family and friends' three-dimensional memories of Patsy, her toughness, her talent, her tenacity, her loyalty and compassion.
This is not a book for "Country-only" fans. Patsy's life story will encourage and comfort others who may be struggling through life toward success.
Nassour's writing could be compared to a literary hologram in his ability to present his subject through sight, sound and touch. I could veritably hear Patsy sing "Walkin' After Midnight," see her sassy walk and feel her tears as I read.

A.K.A. Reta Spears-Stewart, Literary Editor/Author of "Remembering the Ozark Jubilee, Starring Red Foley"
Springfield, Missouri

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honky Tonk Angel, Accurate, Honest, Revealing !, December 5, 2002

By	Faye Morgan (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews

I enjoy reading Honky Tonk Angel again & again. It's such a honest book & evokes memories of that fabulous period, the 50' & 60's when I knew Patsy & she was singing her heart out. I congratulate Mr. Nassour for writing the truth. It shows she was human like the rest of us. As a singer, no one can take her place. Her music has touched the hearts of millions everywhere. Her "Sweet Dreams" keeps us dreaming on & songs like "I Fall to Pieces" remind us we're vulnerable & have hurts in our lives as well. Her music & voice are timeless--one reason that people still listen to Patsy. The book has photos I've found no where else, & there are more (plus great stories) on the book website@ patsyclinehta.com. The book captures Patsy's life so poignantly that I sense the emotion behind each word--emotion that evokes a star who fell before her time. Faye Morgan