In the Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music [Paperback]

Nicholas Dawidoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 1998

From the author of the bestselling The Catcher Was a Spy comes an exhilarating exploration of the performers, places, and experiences which form country music--a genre which is uniquely and authentically American. 40 photos.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

From the author of the bestselling The Catcher Was a Spy comes an exhilarating exploration of the performers, places, and experiences which form country music--a genre which is uniquely and authentically American. 40 photos.

From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Nicholas Dawidoff is the author of The Catcher was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg and In the Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music, and is the editor of the Library of America’s Baseball: A Literary Anthology. He is also a contributor to The New Yorker, The American Scholar, and The New York Times Magazine. A graduate of Harvard University, he has been a Guggenheim Fellow and a Berlin Prize Fellow of the American Academy. He and his wife live in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (April 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037570082X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375700828
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strum und Twang, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music (Paperback)

In the Country of Country strikes a compelling balance between first-person testimonial and straight history text. In a series of chapters focusing on early "country" artists & groups, Nicholas Dawidoff travels to meet musicians in their own environment, often travelling with them to the towns they grew up in. The book records the surroundings both through the eyes of Dawidoff, seeing the place for the first time, as well as through the eyes of his subject and their memories of the place. Through this mix of perspectives, the book gives a great sense of the effect of history in the present day, as well as the enduring power of the music described. His careful choice of subjects also helps define and articulate what many hold valuable in both country music, and music in general. One gets the impression he takes the role of author as through he is the curator a historical exhibit, showing a common thread among country artists of the last 80 years. This is of course with the notable exception of Hank Williams, which at first I wondered about, but later accepted, seeing as plenty had been written about him already as well as the fact that the invocation of his legend might well overshadow the other artists featured. He is though, like Elvis, a constant presence in the book, whether explicit or unspoken. In the Country of Country can serve as a great introduction to many who know they like country music, but get lost in boot-scootin' commercialism or monochromatic alt-country. The companion compliation CD sounds like a great start towards further investigation.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly engrossing and fascinating, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music (Paperback)

I can't believe no one has reviewed this book yet! It is really a fascinating series of encounters with the greatest developers and innovators of country music. Dawidoff writes extremely well, and manages to engross you, whether you are a fan of country music or not. (In all fairness, however, I think that having a familiarity with country would make the book somewhat more enjoyable.) After receiving this book as a gift, I was not sure how interesting I would find it, but I was truly not able to put it down. Dawidoff has picked excellent exemplars for country music, and to hear their stories and their words is a real treat. Add in insightful and precise commentary from Dawidoff, and you have the recipe for an excellent book. Get yourself a copy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection., September 30, 2008

By 

Chastity Lowell (MidWest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music (Paperback)

I've had a copy of this book for several years. It is an onion of many layers. Factual and fun and quirky in what the author chose to include. The information about Iris Dement is especially interesting and rare. The Johnny Cash tidbits are refreshing and honest, and were so before he died and everyone came running with there stories for sale. NO matter. I have Three hundred bios and encyclopedic type works about the roots of country and americana music. It is my passion. If there was a housefire or a gun to my head and I could grab one book, I would grab this one. And I often do. Thats all I have to say. Standing Ovation.