Jim Reeves: His Untold Story

This is truly a 5-Star biography in anyone's definition of what a biography is!
He covers his entire life, including ancestry back to the 17th century all the way up to his untimely and tragic death in 1964, and the aftermath. This book cuts through the carefully-crafted persona of Jim Reeves, a persona that was protected and propagated by Mary Reeves. The "Gentleman Jim" image, along with his voice, is what endeared him to multiple millions of fans worldwide. But, like all of us humans, there's that "other side" that is kept in the background. Now for the first time we can learn what it was like to KNOW him, to work with him and to be his friend. A good bio will cover all aspects of a person's life... the good and the bad.

This book is as much about the people that knew Jim Reeves as it is about Reeves himself. The author may have his detractors, but let it be known here; he did the interviews of the people that were actually there, he got the ORIGINAL documents (receipts, diaries, notes, schedules, articles, photographs, etc.), so nothing is hear-say. He got corroboration from multiple witness to get the story right. Where two people had different opinions of what transpired, he simply puts forth both opinions to let the reader decide. He also, respectfully, sets the record straight from opinions set forth by other authors on this subject.

One thing that he does here that adds a dimension to the story, is the time-line type of writing. The book is chronologically written. Almost every page has a exact date listed for what is transpiring in the story. The reader literally follows Jim Reeves life as it unfolds.

One final note. This book will also appeal to anyone that has any interest in early radio. Particularly the 1940s and 1950s. Especially where early country/western music is concerned.

I have been a fan of Jim Reeves for over 40 years. I can tell you that no book on a country music star has been more talked about, anticipated, and better received then this one. Like most fans, I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for this massive book to come out. No stone is left unturned in this candid, detailed, and fast-paced bio. For the first time readers learn intimate details about Jim and Mary's marriage through their personal correspondences. The infamous Irish Tour is well-documented and readers come away wondering how this man accomplished all he did and made all of those concert dates. Personal stories from girlfriends, bandmates, employees, relatives, fans, and anyone who was anyone in the Reeves circle is included in this book. Some people have been interviewed for the first time concerning Reeves. The stories will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and you will feel like you have a seat on the Blue Boys tour bus, or are in the front row of one of Jim's concerts. The book comes to an exciting climax in the chapters chronicling Jim's last days and the never before published accounts of the plane crash is harrowing enough for even the strongest among us. I can honestly say that after 11 years this book was well worth the wait. I can only hope a movie is in the works because this is a story out of Hollywood, only it really happened, and Jim Reeves was and still is the legend his fans have always believed him to be. Buy this book for anyone who loves music—country or otherwise. The historian will appreciate the bevy of facts of the times presented in this book and will feel like they stepped back in time. It is a 672 page journey you will not want to end, but all the while can't wait to learn what happened next in this man's incredible, multi-faceted life.

This book could have been about half the length and still got the story across. It was really hard to stay involved when you are reading supposed accounts of Jim Reeves every day until he died. But I was left wanting more about what happened after his death but it seemed the author just glanced over this. A hard book to read.