By Tara Cash Schwoebel
Book of Childhood Memories handwritten by Johnny Cash. Released by his daughter Tara Cash Schwoebel. Tara Cash gave this book to her father in 1995 and asked him to fill in the answers to the questions about his childhood. On her birthday the following year, she received the completed book as a gift. Johnny Cash was a natural historian. He had a keen memory and an expansive intellect, grounded in a simple, honest hardworking upbringing in a family that originally contained nine, reduced to eight after the tragic death of his brother Jack at the age of 13. His stories are unique, playful and personal from father to daughter. An important time in the nation’s history – the New Deal and WPA colony of Dyess, Arkansas, which rescued desperate poor familiies such as the Cashes – is the backdrop of his childhood and, in itself, of great interest. Having seen the now-restored home where he grew up in Dyess and knowing the breadth of the hard work, the tragedies endured, the depth of instinct for survival, and the love of his family shared, Tara feels it is time to share this priceless journal. She has held this book close to her heart for all these years. With no hesitation, knowing that her father would be proud to share these stories, she now wants to share it with his fans, friends, and family to cherish, as she does. “I hope you will enjoy getting to know this boy, who became my father, as much as I did. I give that boy, and that father, all the love and respect in the world.”