"But He Doesn't Know the Territory" [Paperback]

Meredith Willson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2009

Composer Meredith Willson once described The Music Man as “an Iowan’s attempt to pay tribute to his home state.” Never once forgetting his roots, Willson reflects on the ups and downs, surprises and disappointments, and finally successes of the making of one of America’s most popular musicals. His whimsical, personable writing style will bring readers back in time with him to the 1950s to experience firsthand the exciting trials and tribulations of creating a Broadway masterpiece. A newfound admiration for The Music Man—and the man behind the music—is sure to follow.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dollars to doughnuts, Meredith Willson dotes on brass bands. In The Music Man, he has translated the thump and razzle-dazzle of brass-band lore into a warm and genial cartoon of American life." —Brooks Atkinson, New York Times, 1957

About the Author

Meredith Willson (1902–1984) was a renowned composer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for composing The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press (August 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816667705
• ISBN-13: 978-0816667703
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MEREDITH WHEN GREAT, September 25, 2009

By 

Larry Fineberg - See all my reviews
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This review is from: "But He Doesn't Know the Territory" (Paperback)

BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW THE TERRITORY is MUSIC MAN Meredith Wilson's heartbreakingly evocative photograph of what it was like to write a musical for Broadway & bring in the show when the show was MUSIC MAN and Broadway meant something. Wilson discusses in lip-smacking detail the cration of his sepia masterwork & the people around it who, like good doctors, assisted in the birth. Snapshots of the great producer Kermit Bloomgarden, the stars Robert Preston & Barabara Cook, the choreographer Oona White and guest apperaances by Moss Hart and many more make this a must have for anybody who wants to know how theatre worked, when it worked in New York in the 1950s. Even if Wilson never again created anything of eternal memory (although we are still happy to have MOLLY BROWN) and if a later show (1491) was panned even by his music publisher & supporter Frank Loesser this is a book every theatre-lover & historian has to have. It's that simple!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music Man Memoir is a Delight, October 18, 2009

By 

Libby (SANDY, OR, United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "But He Doesn't Know the Territory" (Paperback)

I learned of the reprint of this book as I was rehearsing a community theatre production of "Meredith Willson's The Music Man." I purchased this and his earlier one (also just republished) "And There I Stood With My Piccolo". If you know the show, or are interested in Americana, you will enjoy this book. It's a breezy read, full of the trials and tribulations of trying to follow a dream when you don't exactly know how to do it. The show took many years to form; Willson, a band leader, radio music director and arranger, had never written a musical before, and the ups and downs of the process in the 1950s, even when you "know people", is conveyed in a hilarious and entertaining way. There are some wonderful down-to-earth narratives in it. I am in the Barbershop Quartet in the show, and was fascinated by his explanation of why he hired a real BSQ for the cast before anyone else, and why he wanted BSQ music in his play. If you are intrigued by the creative process, by the energetic telling of a true story, or by musical theater, you will truly be glad you picked up this book. It was passed on to our Harold Hill, Mrs. Shinn and others, and the last I saw it was on my table in the dressing room where it disappeared! I hope it is still being enjoyed...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful read, October 14, 2009

By 

D. Drui - See all my reviews
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This review is from: "But He Doesn't Know the Territory" (Paperback)

One of the few books I've ever read in one sitting. Any fan of THE MUSIC MAN, either the play or the movie, has GOT to read this. Full of amazing andecdotes on the journey this wonderful play (and this novice musical show writer) took to arrive on Broadway. Meredith Willson's infectious matter-of-fact writing style puts you right in the room when Robert Preston auditions for the lead role. You'll get goosebumps when you find out how the role of Winthrop evolved. And you'll get true sense of the painstaking amount of work and time and trouble (with a capital "T") it used to take to put a grand old musical from Broadway's golden age on the boards. The Putnam and Sons version has been out of print for decades, but now because the University of Minnesota Press picked it up EVERYONE can own a copy.