Many American folk singers have tried to leave their world a better place by writing songs of social protest. Musicians like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez sang with fierce moral voices to transform what they saw as an uncaring society. But the personal tales of these guitar-toting idealists were often more tangled than the comparatively pure vision their art would suggest. Many singers produced work in the midst of personal failure and deeply troubled relationships, and under the influence of radical ideas and organizations. This provocative work examines both the long tradition of folk music in its American political context and the lives of those troubadours who wrote its most enduring songs.
Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob D...
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Lawrence J. Epstein a professor of English for more than thirty years, is the author of numerous books.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
I am the author of "The Land of Eighteen Dreams" as well as various other books such as "The Haunted Smile: The Story of Jewish Comedians in America."
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Invaluable!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan (Paperback)
As a long-time fan of not only Bob Dylan, but also Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, I found this book second to none in telling their stories and the story of the folk song movement. The author's analyses and interpretations of Dylan's songs in particular are noteworthy, and the book as a whole is an invaluable tool for understanding how political folk songs affected (and ultimately failed to affect) American life. The writing is clear, at times eloquent, and always informative and entertaining. If you want to understand the history of the political folk song in America, this book is a must.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising find,
By Neil (NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan (Paperback)
I didn't know much about folk music but picked this book up on a whim because I was intrigued by the cover. What a good find! Epstein carries readers through folk's history with tight writing, interesting anecdotes, and a sense that the politics of it all is embedded into American history. Even though I'm not a huge folk fan, I found myself reading with excitement. Try this book -- you might be surprised at what you discover.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive and Entertaining Coverage,
This review is from: Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan (Paperback)
As a huge folk music fan, I have been on a years-long search to find a comprehensive work that covers the whole folk story; that is, not just the music and characters, but the culture and circumstances from which they sprung. Lawrence Epstein's book is the first I've come across that explores folk music by showcasing not only how it started or where it is now, but also the direction in which it's heading -- and why. A truly enjoyable read for anyone interested in politics, culture, history, or any type of music.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
