We Take Care of Our Own: Faith, Class, and Politics in the Art of Bruce Springsteen

In her latest title, focusing on the lyrics and music of rock icon Bruce Springsteen, Sawyers (Tougher Than the Rest: 100 Best Bruce Springsteen Songs) identifies several significant themes, including redemption, dignity, and community, that she feels are in evidence alongside the artist’s longstanding championing of American working men and women. Although biographical details are sparse, the author addresses formative influences such as Springsteen’s father’s series of uninspiring jobs in the depressed town of Freehold, NJ, and the singer forging his path through lean years by playing gigs at seaside clubs before gaining national renown. Sawyers is especially adept at grounding her arguments using Springsteen’s own words and his lived experiences. The heartfelt afterword by novelist Andre Dubus III, evocative photographs, and a bibliography combining classic texts with recent titles all contribute to the book’s value.