Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story
Diane Diekman
University of Illinois Press
ISBN: 9780252032486
Non-Fiction, Biography
Reviewed by John R. Clark

Live Fast Love Hard is the perfect example of a labor of love. It paints a portrait of Faron Young that highlights and lauds his artistry, but doesn't attempt to hide his very human flaws. In an era when many biographies of famous or notable individuals are thrown together to cash in on the moment, this is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Diekman went the extra mile to cover all the interview bases; friends, family, contemporaries, recording industry associates, etc.

What results is a compelling portrait of a talented, but tormented man; one who was seen by many as a somewhat crass, hard-drinking, but talented honkey-tonk musician, while having another generous and compassionate side that was riddled with insecurities. The book is full of facets of Faron's life, many of which probably saw but brief bits of the light of day, while still having huge impact on him. Consider the accident in which he nearly lost his tongue; another ¼ inch and his career would have been no more. The description of his final 24 hours is particularly insightful.

This is a very nice book for history lovers who are always looking for something to expand their horizons as well as anyone who is a lover of country music or likes a well-researched biography written with great care.