It's a Long Story (Hardcover) by Willie Nelson

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

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

"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)"

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

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

"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

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

"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

"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

"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

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

"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

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

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

"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

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

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

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.