Customer Reviews

Irving Berlin: A Daughter's Memoir

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This is a beautifully written remembrance of one of the world's greatest songwriters. Berlin fans will welcome the personal insight, warmth and vivid detail that author Barrett provides. A recluse for the last 25 years of his life, Berlin has been an enigma to many, and this book provides many of the intimate details so sorely lacking in other biographies of this American treasure

A memoir by the daughter of Irving Berlin, arguably the best of all American composers and indisputably its premiere songwriter. I read this book hoping that certain nagging mysteries would be solved, especially about Irving Berlin's compositional/creative processes. For who could but wonder how a musically "illiterate" man (he could neither read or write music, hadn't studied harmony, etc.) could create so many timeless masterpieces, so many miracles of musical invention? And who would better be able to answer these questions than the songwriters first born? Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the absence of any insights into these matters. Instead, Ms. Barrett deals with the mundane, the day-to-day stuff. We learn what it's like to be a rich seven year old in New York City instead of how "How Deep Is The Ocean?" came into the world. The book is about her, not about its title character, and that was a disappointment.

Lots of people can sing, and lots of people can play instruments, but very few can write music. And the number that can write it at the caliber of Irving Berlin is exceedingly small. I would say that he was one in a million, but that would be a gross understatement. There isn't one in ten million who could do what he did.

So, when you read about a person like Irving Berlin, a gifted genius, you want to know where the genius came from. How did he get started in music? When did he write his first song? When did he realize that he had a talent for it? At one point did he know that he could do it? Who were his inspirations as a child? What was his education and training in music, both formal and informal? Did his career involve any kind of lucky break?

None of these questions get answered in this book. The author starts when Irving Berlin is already a successful, world-famous composer. What about his childhood? What about his evolution into that rarified world? How did he transition from Russian immigrant to one of the most famous musical figures of all time?

The book says nothing about those things. It's more about the author (his daughter) and her mother than it is about Irving Berlin. You learn nothing about his method, his approach, and his grasp of songwriting. You get none of what you want, and lots of stuff about relatives, in-laws, family vacations, blah, blah, blah.

Doesn't the author understand that, for us, it's about his gift, his talent, his music? How could she be so egotistical as to put 1000x more about her childhood in the book than about his? And when I say 1000x, I am not exaggerating because she had practically nothing about his childhood. What a waste.

I bought this book on Mark Styne's recommendation. I thought it was going to be focused on Mary Ellin's father, not on Mary Ellin. Was I off base. If you are really into a boring and clumsy description of what growing up very well-off during the Great Depression was like you will enjoy this book. If you are looking for insights into the genius of Irving Berlin, forget it! I finally shut the book after reading ad infinitem about what color her bathroom was in New York or what her mother was wearing..... boring !!!!! Not recommended.

A truly wonderful book - Barrett's descriptions of the homes and times of New York and Hollywood in the 20's, 30's, and 40's are a time traveling experience. Her descriptions are so precise that you feel you are transported and are there in the rooms with her. This is a rare feeling that I've only experienced in a handful of books throughout my lifetime but it is truly wonderful. Barrett is the oldest daughter of composer Irving Berlin and it was refreshing to read about him in the role of a father, without the constant analysis of what his songs meant, how he wrote them, etc. Her mother, Ellin Mackay was also an interesting person to read about, very talented, and worthy of her own book. She and Berlin were married for 63 years and from such opposite backgrounds but the book portrays a marriage of true love which is so rare - both then and now. The book is not only a must read for any Berlin fans but for those interested in New York life in the early part of the 20th century.

We attended the Sunset Syncopators free jazz concert the first Sunday in June where Jim Jones dedicated the entire evening to compositions by Irving Berlin; It was at the Palos Verdes library; hence the book reviews; we bot the book; my lady friend was delighted; it is well written; Amazon is a good place to buy anything; the shippers are doing their thing also; the price is right and she loves to read. There are no losers here. Jerry R in Inglewood

This latest Berlin biography is not a "show biz bio" as much as it is a family memoir. I feel that fact is addressed perfectly in the title, but I mention it here just to be clear.

I am a collector of Broadway and theatre biographies, and this particular book is one of the most beautifully written I have seen. Berlin's eldest daughter shows a considerable amount of talent herself, as author of this memoir. I especially appreciated the author's willingness to reveal some of the family's more personal tragedies. Their inclusion certainly helps us to understand who Berlin was.

A previous reviewer bemoans the fact that the book does not unlock the mysteries behind Berlin's unschooled musicianship. I never expected it would. Per the title, I expected an beautifully written memoir from a personal perspective. That's exactly what this book is.

Irving Berlin: A Daughter's Memoir

We purchased this book as NEW. When we received it, it was USED with all kinds of underlining and marks over many of the pages...certainly very disappointing.