Trace Adkins has not written your typical autobiography, it’s not even a true autobiography, it’s a book that recounts things that have happened in his life with a touch of his views of the world thrown in for good measure. “A Personal Stand” is exactly that, his stand on things happening today.

I picked this book up and could not put it down, I read it in one evening and will probably read it again. It is not a book for everyone, it tends to be in your face about issues that are hot topics today, especially during the Presidential election process. Trace shoots straight from the hip and you can take him or leave him, he doesn’t care. Be aware, there are some cuss words in the book, he is a country boy after all.

Trace voices his opinions on unions, the government, the Civil War, the War on Terror and much more. He talks about how he got to where he is and doesn’t hold much back. I have to admit, I agree with most of what he says, I think there are a lot of Americans that will. If country music fans are honest with themselves, they will agree with a lot of what he says. I do like that he doesn’t take to the stage to posture and say vote for this person or don’t vote for this person, he put his views on paper and those that want can read it, that those that paid to be entertained aren’t subject to his political views. (He doesn’t seem to care for that approach either.)

He takes to task those in charge when Hurricane Katrina hit, he lets you know his views on what should happen to Afghanistan and Iraq (some won’t like it). He also talks about the brushes with death he has had, including when he was shot by his ex-wife and almost died, he takes his portion of the blame there, he doesn’t lay it all at her feet.

This is not a book just for his fans, it is a book that throws his ideas and beliefs out there for thought, you can agree or not. I found myself nodding and laughing at points reading and that for me makes it a good book, one that makes you think and wish he would write more.