PERFORMING ARTS

Revolutions in American Music: Three Decades That Changed a Country and Its Sounds

by Michael Broyles

Norton. Feb. 2024. 416p. ISBN 9780393634204. $35. MUSIC

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American popular music is always evolving, but Broyles (musicology, Florida State Univ.; Beethoven in America) argues that there were three pivotal decades in which popular music particularly influenced developments in technology and civil rights in the United States. The 1840s saw the frenzy for polka and its faster rhythms, the arrival of European classical music divested of the church, and the massive popularity of minstrelsy, a song and dance combination performed by white musicians as a denigrating parody of Black culture. The 1920s ushered in radio—broadcasting the music of Louis Armstrong, the Grand Ole Opry, and Aaron Copland to millions—and the phonograph, which preserved musical performances for posterity and gave rise to the jukebox. The 1950s introduced television and recording tape, which allowed the preservation of live broadcasts and led to the ascension of Elvis Presley and the mainstream breakthroughs of Black artists such as Little Richard. Post-1955, there was a white backlash against the supposed vulgarity of rock music, with clear elements of racism embedded in the protests, Broyles argues. His book breathes life into popular music’s stylistic and technological innovators (T.D. Rice; Philo Farnsworth), alongside better-known musicians, to create a true sense of historical perspective.

VERDICT A well-researched and astute look at the evolution of American culture through popular music.

Reviewed by Peter Thornell , Jan 19, 2024

7 COMMENTS

undefined says

2021-05-31 12:45:29

Wonderful wonderful book- so many heroes of the war still to be uncovered- thanks to Ms. Charles for bringing these heroes to light

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2021-08-29 23:53:24

Loved this audio book! Love the backdrop of facts during WW II. I had no idea there was such a library in Paris. The book has spurred me to look more into the library and it's characters. I almost abandoned this book as it was slow to develop characters and I found the audiobook accents hard to follow sometimes. Hang with this book! Really liked the author's notes at the end giving more info about the library and the real librarians from WW II. Thank you for featuring these unsung heros!!!

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2021-10-21 21:29:34

Loved this story. Thanks Janet for a captivating, unheard of before, this book tells this wonderful story. I am reading "Moonlight in Odessa". Loving it too. Another awesome read! Keep on writing such wonderful adventures of interesting women!! Sheila

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2021-12-04 03:25:40

Loved this story. It was finished in a few days and I was sad it was over. I always thought what I would of done, living in occupied France. More important, what am I doing today with life events. Touched home for me because I lived in Montana and visited Paris. Disappointed though that I did not know about the American Library, now I need to go back.

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2021-12-15 11:11:34

Hi, I am curious to know who wrote the letters betraying the library in the book The Paris Library?

Regards
Anne Brien

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2022-04-17 17:54:10

Fantastic read, but who wrote the betrayal letters? Margaret Saint James?

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2022-06-08 20:03:08

Thank you for a wonderful book. As a teacher at the International School of Paris in the 1990's, I loved the ALP. I could do research there that I used in my history classes.
Thank you, Janet Charles, for a great book.

undefined says

2023-02-17 03:33:47

Hi,
Is Froid, MT the historical town of residence for Odile? If not, how did you come to choose that small town in Montana?

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Joni Olson

Hi,
Is Froid, MT the historical town of residence for Odile? If not, how did you come to choose that small town in Montana?

Posted : 2023-02-17 03:33:47

Stephanie Smith

Posted : 2022-06-08 20:03:08

Anne Brien

Hi, I am curious to know who wrote the letters betraying the library in the book The Paris Library?

Regards
Anne Brien

Posted : 2021-12-15 11:11:34

Angelo Mascaro

Fantastic read, but who wrote the betrayal letters? Margaret Saint James?

Posted : 2022-04-17 17:54:10

Mary Driscoll

Posted : 2021-12-04 03:25:40

Sheila Minogue-Calver

Posted : 2021-10-21 21:29:34

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