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Willie Nelson

It's a Long Story: My Life Hardcover – Illustrated, May 5, 2015

by Willie Nelson (Author), David Ritz

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Willie Nelson shares his life story in this "heartfelt" bestselling memoir of true love, wild times, best friends, and barrooms (Washington Post).

"Unvarnished. Funny. Leaving no stone unturned." . . . So say the publishers about this book I've written. What I say is that this is the story of my life, told as clear as a Texas sky and in the same rhythm that I lived it.

It's a story of restlessness and the purity of the moment and living right. Of my childhood in Abbott, Texas, to the Pacific Northwest, from Nashville to Hawaii and all the way back again. Of selling vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias while hosting radio shows and writing song after song, hoping to strike gold.

It's a story of true love, wild times, best friends, and barrooms, with a musical sound track ripping right through it. My life gets lived on the road, at home, and on the road again, tried and true, and I've written it all down from my heart to yours.

Signed, Willie Nelson.

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Little, Brown and Company
Publication date

May 5, 2015
Dimensions

6.4 x 1.55 x 9.55 inches
ISBN-10

9780316403559
ISBN-13

978-0316403559
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A smooth-spoken recollection of the country legend's childhood and his eight-decade-long musical career.... Just like this book -- and its subject -- direct and genuine."―Mike Snider, USA Today

"Invaluable... Nelson writes the way he sings and plays guitar--with conversational ease and grace."―James Reed, The Boston Globe

"Every page radiates authenticity.... Heartfelt...."―Douglas Brinkley, The Washington Post

"Endlessly entertaining.... Readers of It's a Long Story will finally get the sense that Nelson is sitting before them spilling everything he can remember.... It's a wonderful thing if you love ol' Willie -- and who doesn't? ... Nelson has spent decades on the road building this story -- do yourself a favor and take a day or two to read it."―Hunter Hauk, Dallas Morning News

"Brims with affectionate reminiscences of Nelson's childhood and semi-wayward youth, his turbulent marriages and career zigzags. And of course his raison d'être, music."―Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly

A "breezy new autobiography... His voice as a writer, as in song, is warm, generous and good-timey."―James Sullivan, San Francisco Chronicle

"Nelson offers a warm, friendly, and a deeply reflective glimpse behind the making of most of his albums as well as behind-the-scenes looks at some of his best-known hits.... Reading Nelson's narrative is like sitting on the front porch chatting with an old friend."―Publishers Weekly

A "candid, heartfelt memoir.... In a plainspoken, conversational tone reminiscent of his singing voice."―Dave Shiflett, Wall Street Journal

"The closing chapters are reflective and heartfelt--part musical and part personal--and they nicely bookend Nelson's admirable attempt to recount his 'long story.'"―Andrew Dansby, The Houston Chronicle

"One of the original 'outlaw' country singers puts it all on the line with this bawdy and moving tale of his extraordinary life."―Allen Pierleoni, The Sacramento Bee

"As breezy, entertaining and occasionally bizarre as the man himself."―Larry Getlen, New York Post

"An autobiography that ought to be on any Southern music lover's shelf--this is Willie in his own authentic voice, sharing memories of his Texas upbringing."―CJ Lotz, Garden & Gun

It's a Long Story "is closer to a series of Raymond Carver stories: terse, conversational and peppered with profanity, jokes and life lessons.... One of the great stories in American music."―Jim Kiest, San Antonio Express-News

"This is the definitive Willie Nelson story. It's a rare insight into an American folk hero, one told in a voice as powerful and genuine as the red-headed stranger himself."
―Mark Flanagan, Run Spot Run

"The often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking story of a life on the run."―Woody Harrelson, Interview

"This rollicking bio perfectly captures the inimitable voice of his plain-speaking subject."―Sarah Murdoch, Toronto Star

"Who doesn't love Trigger-wielding Willie Nelson? ... Pour a drink, take a seat and dig into the life story of one of America's true living legends."―Parade

"One of America's most gifted songwriters and storytellers, Nelson mesmerizes us with his gift of gab in this autobiography, regaling us with stories of his life -- from his childhood and youth in Abbott, TX, to the ups and downs of his marriages, and his deep love for his family, friends, fans, and songwriting."―Henry Carrigan, No Depression

"Country music legend Willie Nelson tells his life story his way, with humor and outright honesty. Most of the time, it feels as if he is sitting right across the table talking directly to us, pouring out his heart and soul."―Christine M. Irvin, BookReporter

"Nelson recounts a colorful life story in and out of music. And what a life it has been."―Bob Ruggiero, Houston Press

"Warm, witty, and burnished with cowboy mystic wisdom."―Tim Stegall, The Austin Chronicle

"Long Story thrives on the basis of two factors: Nelson's short sentences, chalk-full of his deadpan wit and the larger-than-life tales he shares.... Nelson's sage and easy-going spin on these various yarns, and the morals he offers up in his summations, are endearing and entertaining.... Essential reading."―James Courtney, San Antonio Current

"A fascinating memoir of a living American icon. It is as colorful as Willie's life has been. Written in a very beautiful and gripping style, Nelson's book reads like a novel."―The Washington BookReview

"It's a Long Story proves to capture the Red Headed Stranger in a direct light, and fans have plenty to gain within its pages."―Tyler R. Kane, Paste Magazine's "The 15 Best Nonfiction Books of 2015 (So Far)"

"As a kid, Willie Nelson wrote poetry. From an early age, he understood the power of a simple, direct voice and it's this voice that makes My Life more than just another run-of-the-mill, music industry memoir.... You don't need to be a fan to be beguiled by his gift for spinning a yarn."―Fiona Capp, The Sydney Morning Herald

"Behind Willie's remarkable music is a remarkable life, well rendered in It's a Long Story... It reads like what you might hear if you were sitting on the front porch talking with Willie about his life and about music. And who wouldn't want to do that?"―Larry Thornberry, The American Spectator

"A roadmap for the richest kind of life.... Willie is a loquacious storyteller with a disarming knack for self-effacement."―Malcolm Jones, The Daily Beast

About the Author

Willie Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. He was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0316403555
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; Illustrated edition (May 5, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780316403559
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316403559
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.55 x 9.55 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #558,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #290 in Country Music (Books)
- #292 in Country & Folk Composer Biographies
- #4,884 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
4.6 5,856 ratings

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Kim Bright

Excellent Book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 21, 2023

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I loved reading the stories behind the songs. Willie has been my favorite since the 70s when I was in high school and in his fan club. I love the way he tells his story.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 7, 2023

Verified Purchase

This was a great book very interesting.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 29, 2023

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Great book about an American icon.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 15, 2023

Verified Purchase

Loved every minute of this book. Willie is a great storyteller, but that's no surprise.

One person found this helpful

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Craig B

Review

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 17, 2023

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I've listened to Willie's music for many years. I love the book and was glad to get the true, final word on how his tax problem with the IRS was finally settled. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a country music fan from the 1960's and forward.

One person found this helpful

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The Journey Never Ends

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 6, 2015

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'Night Life, 'Crazy' and 'Hello Walls, three of Willie Nelson's most wonderful and long lasting songs were almost sold for five dollars a piece. Willie was down on his luck, looking for work, and needed money. Thankfully, the man he wanted to sell them to, would not buy them,but offered him an opportunity to move on. This is but one little bit of info we learn about this wonderful, musical man.

From a young age Willie had the music in him. Brought up by his grandparents in the little Texas town they lived in, he and his sister had a wonderful childhood. Not much money but love, hard work, and perseverance. Willie was always active, an athlete, loved the music he learned from Church, but when he was offered money to play honky tonk in a bar, he took it. Eight dollars a night, more than he made in a week picking cotton. He moved around a lot, every small and large town in Texas, Oregon, California, and then he traveled to Nashville where his life turned around.

Willie makes it clear that family and friends come first. However, Willie was a ladie's man, and was out every evening playing his music. With three marriages behind him and several children, Willie admits he cheated, many times. He liked to drink, smoke pot, and play his music, but he loves his family, dearly. We hear all the stories, the people he met who helped him on his way from birth to this present day. He is now 82, still going strong, loves his ranch in Abbott, Texas, and that is where his journey begins and ends.

He talks about his problems with the IRS and the multi millions he ended up owing. He glosses over his financial manager who he said extended the IRS claims. Willie refused to declare bankruptcy, and worked for years to pay off his debt. Willie is good to everyone, and it seems whatever came in went to those he knew. Lessons learned, however, and his money is now looked after very carefully.

Willie gives his love of pot several chapters. He no longer smokes it, but he does inhale it. We hear of the times he has been picked up in his traveling bus. One thing Willie was adamant about, no hard drugs in his brand, none. He had a friend who liked cocaine, but that was his business. We hear about and meet all the musicians he played with, famous and not so. He has known them all, played with most of them, gone to the White House several times, and met the famous and infamous.

One interesting point is that Willie does not remember several stories in the book. David Ritz, his co writer may have put the book together after hearing Willie talk about his life, and Willie may not have read the book of his life. No matter this is a rollicking, good read by a musician and song writer extraordinaire. To hear his music is to love him.

Recommended. 05-05-15

42 people found this helpful

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Viv

Good Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 21, 2023

Verified Purchase

Willie’s book was very informative about his life. But, I just wish the bad language in parts of the book could have been left out.

One person found this helpful

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Patricia Kramer

It's a Delightful Story to Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

What fun it was to read this book. My body soaked in the music as Willie told the story of some of the many songs he has written and how they came to be. Each time I read a song title the music and words started playing in my head.

So many entertainers of all types Willie has befriended and collaborated with. The fun thing is Willie is as amazed at his life journey as the reader is.

""I'm Willie Nelson," I told the leader.
"Larry Butler. What can I do you for, Willie?"
"Looking for work."
"You a singer?"
"And a picker."
"Afraid we don't need either one."
Feeling a little desperate, I said, "Well, I also write. Fact is, just wrote me a buncha new songs."
"If you're willing to sing 'em, I'm willing to listen."
I sang 'em all - :Night Life," "I Gotta Get Drunk," "The Party's Over."
Larry Butler looked stunned.
"What do you think?"
"I think they're great. Very …… great.”
"Good. 'Cause I'll sell 'em to you. I'll take ten bucks a song."
"You mean I give you ten dollars and I have the right to put my name as the composer of those songs and do whatever the ….. I want with them."
"That's right."
"That's insane. You can't do that. Those are hit songs you've written. They could be worth thousands of dollars. You just can't give 'em away."
"I'm not. I'm selling 'em to you."
"Well, I'm not buying. I couldn't do that to you."
"Why? You'd be doing me a favor."
"You'd be cheating yourself, Willie."
“….., I can always write more songs. That's not a problem."
"Let's do this. Let me just loan you fifty bucks. You can pay me back by playing in my band. Meanwhile, hold on to those songs."
Whoa. Suddenly I had a musical home in Houston - the Esquire Ballroom - and enough money to keep my family in food and diapers. That single meeting turned things around."

Chapter 22 - Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The White House - is unbelievably delightful! I won't spoil the story by commenting further. Enjoy.

10 people found this helpful

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Neide Matsumoto

It's a Long Story:My life

Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on November 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

Amo Willie Nelson. Gostaria que o livro fosse traduzido em português, aos trancos e barrancos eu vou lendo. Mesmo assim, gostei muito da compra porque me estimulou a aprender inglês

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on August 3, 2015

Verified Purchase

Reading this is like listening to Willie talking to you. Really enjoyed it.

George Thomas

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on July 27, 2015

Verified Purchase

Very good reading

Tracy Ebert

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on August 11, 2015

Verified Purchase

Loved it.

Amazon Customer

Three Stars

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on December 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

Interesting but that is all.

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