The Ballad of Blind Tom, Slave Pianist [Hardcover]

Deirdre O'Connell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 5, 2009

The true story of a black musical savant in the era of slavery.

Born into slavery in Georgia, Tom Wiggins died an international celebrity in New York in 1908. His life was one of the most bizarre and moving episodes in American history. Born blind and autistic-and so unable to work with other slaves-Tom was left to his own devices. He was mesmerized by the music of the family's young daughters, and by the time he was four Tom was playing tunes on the piano.

Eventually freed from slavery, Wiggins, or "Blind Tom" as he was called, toured the country and the world playing for celebrities like Mark Twain and the Queen of England and dazzling audiences everywhere. One part genius and one part novelty act, Blind Tom embodied contradictions-a star and a freak, freed from slavery but still the property of his white guardian. His life offers a window into the culture of celebrity and racism at the turn of the twentieth century.

In this rollicking and heartrending book, O'Connell takes us through the life (and three separate deaths) of Blind Tom Wiggins, restoring to the modern reader this unusual yet quintessentially American life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Documentary filmmaker O'Connell recounts the engaging story of slave prodigy, entertainment sensation and national curiosity Blind Tom (1849-1908). The son of slaves, Tom displayed early musical acuity and a fierce attachment to his owners' family piano, amazing onlookers with his ability to emulate music, dialog and sounds in nature; from age five, Tom was entranced by storms, which he could perfectly mimic, and later was able to play two tunes at a time with his back to the keyboard. Classified as an idiot, yet possessed of remarkable skills (including the ability to perform odd athletic feats), Tom's 40-year career enriched his owners and managers, especially as the effects of war and the opening of northern venues broadened Tom's audience (which included famous commentators like Mark Twain). Tom himself, of course, would struggle under the control of others his entire life, culminating sadly in a debilitating, career-ending stroke. O'Connell's vivid, carefully researched narrative reflects the tenor of the times, the culture of the Old South, the chaos of emancipation and Blind Tom's single-minded devotion to his performances.
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Review

"O''Connell''s vivid, carefully researched narrative reflects the tenor of the times, the culture of the Old South, the chaos of emancipation and Blind Tom+s single-minded devotion to his performances."-Publishers Weekly

"Tom''s is a story with bottomless complexity, touching on race and sanity and slavery and art. But ultimately, his life makes us think about what it means to be human." -Los Angeles Times

"If you''re an avid reader of African American history or a student of early American entertainment, you''ll want this book." - Pittsburgh Courier

"Deirdre O''Connell lays out for readers the contradictions of an apparent musical genius who fit into no society." -New Jersey Star Ledger

"The Ballad of Blind Tom is a unique look at America''s past through the life of a truly unique American." -Present Magazine, Kansas City

"Deirdre O''Connell writes dynamically enough to fittingly illustrate Wiggins'' beautiful and tragic story, from his youth spent entertaining plantation society with his "parlor tricks" to his later days, when he faded into the damning realm of vaudeville."-Colorado Springs Independent

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; First edition (February 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590201434
• ISBN-13: 978-1590201435
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible from start to finish February 15, 2009

By Avid Reader

Format:Hardcover

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had heard of "Blind Tom," but only after reading this compelling book as told by Deirdre O'Connell, did Tom's story come to life for me. The research and thought that went into the creation of the book are amazing -- the book provides an honest and heart-rendering account of not only one of the world's greatest musicians, but of the two worlds in which he lived - the world inside his mind - and the exploitation Tom experienced in the "outer" world, as a slave who "made it to the top" during the time of the Civil War. Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. It touched my life in a special way -- in learning about the past I learned more about myself. This is one of the best books I've read in over a decade.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An exquisitely researched, engrossing tale of the musical phenomenon Blind Tom March 4, 2009

By Robert Tucker VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This marvelous biography of 19th Century pianist, Blind Tom, is a detailed, factual account replete with the complexity of his life and demonstrating the myriad responses to his talent. The story begins with his birth and subsequently moves through his formative years, establishing both parentage and guardianship. Using an appropriate mix of psychological description and a precise accounting of Tom's behavior, the author paints a picture of a gifted and disabled young man who brought fame upon himself and fortune upon those involved in his life.

The story of his life has all the elements of a great tale with social and political implications for today. This book is charming, balancing moments of conjecture with chronological descriptions of Blind Tom's stellar and in some ways unparalleled career. Abundant quotes demonstrating people's responses to Blind Tom's performances, as well as entertaining explanations of his style, his music, and his unique brand of showmanship make this book read like a novel. Add to these are plenty of enjoyable stories of Tom, Tom's music, and the obviously deep appreciation of his talents by the thousands who experienced his concerts.

Although this book presents information objectively, there is an underpinning of emotional content that cannot be ignored. The reader finds himself sympathizing with many of the characters, especially Blind Tom himself, and being confused with the multitude of motives behind the events of his life. Should Tom have been returned to his mother? Should or could Tom have been given more independence? Should the legal system have done something different? Is greed the primary motivation behind most exploitation? Are we guilty historically for not understanding the disabled and how to manage their problems as well as their gifts?

On several other levels, the story of Blind Tom's life is a story of slavery, racism, greed, selfishness, autism, disabilities, responsibility, human frailty, and the constant societal appeal for the brilliant and the bizarre. The book also provides insights into our history after the Civil War and the rise of the entertainment industry. Especially enjoyable are the plethora of historical figures involved in various ways in Blind Tom's career. Aside from some confusing data surrounding the music that bears his name and some hints of a personality disorder that is hard to understand, I found this book to one of the finest of its kind and worth reading by everyone. We should be very appreciative of the scholarship that went into this book, a book that deserves to be read by musicians, historians, politicians, lawyers, and teachers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling story suitable for any music history collection April 14, 2009

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

Both black history and music libraries will find compelling this true story of a black musical savant in slavery times, THE BALLAD OF BLIND TOM: AMERICA'S LOST MUSICAL GENIUS. Tom was born into slavery but was an international celebrity in New York when he died in 1908. His rise to fame and transition from a blind slave to a musical prodigy makes for a compelling story suitable for any music history collection.