Merle Haggard is my second favourite singer so I was very excited when I found out this book was being published. There hasn't been a major biography on Haggard and I always felt his two autobiographies were lacking.

This book was fantastic. There were few times the author had some awkward phrasing and I questioned some of the sources used, but the authors extensive notes in the back reveal his sources and justification which I greatly appreciated.

The author spoke to people close to Haggard in his life, and while I wish he did more extensive and farther reaching interviews, I will not hold it against this book. It was very interesting and has helped me see Hag's music in a whole new and interesting context.