Customer Reviews

John Philip Sousa: American Phenomenon

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the definitive bio on J. P. Sousa. The author has lovingly researched his topic, gathering in all sorts of details about the legendary March King. It is sad that most Americans are only familiar with a handful of the great mans works. What this book reveals about Sousa is the great variety of music that he composed. Besides 136 excellent marches, he composed operettas, humouresques, and many other kinds of works. Without a doubt Sousa is our most prolific composer, the sheer volume and qaulity of his works far surpassing all other American composers. Yet the vast majortiy of his music is little heard these days. It is true that Sousa's music appealed to an America of a different time. His marches have all the power of an emerging young United States, just entering into the realm of international politics and industrial might at the turn of the century. In these political correct times Sousa's music might be perceived as being too chauvanistically patriotic in outlook. Hopefully in the post 9/11 world that we live in there is room for a revival of his music to bring back some of the nations pride in itself. Mr. Bierley considers the Sousa band is the greatest of its kind in the world. There is more than a little typical American tendency for overstatement here. Certianly in the States in the latter part of the 19th century there were few rivals for Sousa's band. But in Europe many fine military bands already existed and Sousa, though well received on his numerous tours abraod, faced much more critical acclaim. As director of the US Marine Band, Sousa certainly transformed that musical organization into the top-notch band that it is today. In fact, Sousa probably modelled his own band on the Garde Republicanne of Paris, but also any of the British or Prussian Guards bands could have served as inspiration as well. Mr. Bierley has brought together a number of fine photos of Sousa and his band, and highlights the many well known and famous musicians that served within the Sousa Band during its 40 year life-span. The music of J P Sousa evokes a bygone era in the United States. He was instrumental in both introducing and uplifting the music that was performed in this country. We could certainly use his like again as current music standards and tastes have fallen fall below what they were even in Sousa's day. Let us hope for a healthy re-birth of music and someone like Sousa to inspire us musically once more.

This book is by far and away THE book for the life of John Philip Sousa. Mr. Bierly has researched his subject in depth from help with the Sousa family former sousa Band Members and material in the Library of Congress, Masrine Band Archives, Univ. of Illinois and others. If you want to know Sousa, this is the book Joe L. Norcross

I've always loved John Phillip Sousa without really knowing why other than remembering playing his marches in band and tearing up every time I hear The Stars and Stripes Forever. In John Phillip Sousa, America Phenomenon, Paul Bierley shows that Sousa was a true American hero-- a musical genius who was also a caring boss and an inspiration to the musicians he led for decades. While at times the book seems somewhat detached from its subject and a little too dry and scholarly, there are enough anecdotes to give a good picture of the man known as the March King. Bierley also gives a good picture of what the musical scene was like at the turn of the century during the transition years at the start of the radio and audio recording era.

How nice to read a biography of a man who was close to his family, treated his employees in an honorable manner and who held himself to the same strict standards he did others. If you want to read about a true American hero, this would be a good book to read.

This book is very well written with lots of great pictures of Sousa and people involved in this great
American's life.
This is a great book.

Highly recommeded.

The copy that came to me had several blank pages where the content did not get printed. The number of blank pages amounts to about the size of a chapter... The content didn't just continue after the blank pages, some things just were not printed. A shame, because the book is a great source of information.

There seems to be little in the way of information on this amazing composer. The author, an engineer, writes like one: dry, factual, and with lots of padding -- a trait that the March King himself abhorred. However, as with trying to get the sweet meat out of Dungeness crab, there are some tidbits worth fighting for. On the back, I may have found a reference to what I was really seeking: the stories behind Sousa's music. I guess the best I can say is that, despite pedantic and fussy details, I was able to cull the appreciation of a true musical genius and American. I'll keep looking for a book I can enjoy -- perhaps Sousa's own autobiography, if I can find it.