Woody Guthrie : writing America's songs / Ronald D. Cohen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cohen, Ronald D., 1940-2022.

Series:

Routledge historical Americans

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Guthrie, Woody, 1912-1967.

Guthrie, Woody.

Folk singers--United States--Biography.

Folk singers.

United States.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

171 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2012.

Summary:

Woody Guthrie is the most famous and influential folk music composer and performer in the history of the United States. His most popular song, "This Land," has become the country's unofficial national anthem, known to every schoolchild since the 1960s. His influence is not only felt in American music, but American politics, as his music became the soundtrack to the Great Depression, and iconic of the Dust Bowl migrants. He gave voice to those who felt disenfranchised by America, yet committed to making a better life for themselves.

Here, in a short, accessible biography, bolstered with primary documents, including letters, autobiographical excerpts, and reflections by Pete Seeger, Cohen introduces Guthrie's life and musical influence to students of American history and culture.

Ronald D. Cohen is Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, Northwest. He is the author of Folk Music: The Basics (Routledge, 2006).

Routledge Historical Americans is a series of short, vibrant biographies that illuminate the live of Americans who have had an impact on the world. Each book includes a short overview of the person's life and puts that person into historical context through essential primary documents, written both by the subjects and about them. A series website supports the books, containing extra images and documents, links to further research, and where possible, multi-media sources on the subjects. Perfect including in any course on American History, the books in the Routledge Historical Americans series show the impact everyday people can have on the course of history. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I Woody Guthrie 5

Chapter 1 The Early Years 7

Chapter 2 The Postwar Years 31

Chapter 3 Woody's Rediscovery and Death 53

Chapter 4 Woody's Legacy 73

Part II Documents 103.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780415895682

0415895685

9780415895699

0415895693

OCLC:

754736483