Average customer rating:
- A Song of Despair that helped end lynching
- A powerful book about a powerful song.
- an ACCURATE account
- HOW COULD A SMART LAWYER WRITE SUCH A DUMB BOOK?
- Gee Baby, Ain't Margolick Good To Us
|
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday, Cafe Society, and an Early Cry for Civil Rights
David Margolick
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Voice
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
History & Criticism
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Blues
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Civil Rights & Liberties
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Discrimination & Racism
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Strange Fruit: The Biography of a Song
-
An Equal Music
ASIN: 0762406771 |
Amazon.com
Our image of Billie Holiday is that of the elegant and melancholy jazz singer known for her haunting voice and immortal classics like "Lady Sings the Blues" and "My Man." But there was another song she performed that stood out in her repertoire: "Strange Fruit," a disturbing and impressionistic elegy to lynched black men in the South. Now, for the first time, New York Times and Vanity Fair contributor David Margolick uncovers the extraordinary history of this important American composition that few singers dare to perform to this day. For Margolick, "'Strange Fruit' defies easy musical categorization and has slipped between the cracks of academic study. It's too artsy to be folk music, too explicitly political and polemical to be jazz. Surely no song in American history has ever been guaranteed to silence an audience or to generate such discomfort."
Margolick reconstructs that discomfort when he details that fateful night in 1939 when Holiday first performed "Strange Fruit" at New York's Cafe Society. He also writes about the song's composer, Abel Meeropol (who later adopted the sons of spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg). For the author, "Strange Fruit" was a protest act on par with Rosa Parks's refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus years later, and he notes the influence the song has had on poets, singers, and writers as diverse as Maya Angelou, Cassandra Wilson, and Natalie Merchant. What David Margolick proves in this small but important book is that art can indeed move people in ways nothing else can. --Eugene Holley Jr.
Customer Reviews:
A Song of Despair that helped end lynching.......2001-12-27
How was lynching ever respectable? Why did nightclub owners discourage Billie Holiday from singing this protest song against the murder of innocent Blacks? How did this powerful, somber song become Time Magazine's Best Song of the Century?
David Margolick traces the history of Strange Fruit from a forbidden, banned song to a celebrated cry for civil rights in a concise style. Performers, club owners, reviewers, and activists are extensively quoted - and the differing perceptions allowed to exist next to each other without comment.
This facinating book should be carried in all public school libraries, read in courses on American music. It's a fine addition to the scholarship on the civil rights movement too.
I do have, however, one serious criticism. Somehow, even if in just a single sentence, Margolick should have noted the irony of sensitive, gentle progressive defending Stalin's regime. Several key people, great souls, involved in the early civil rights movement - including the songwriter of Strange Fruit - were members of the Communist Party during the Stalin's dictatorship. They were outraged at the lack of freedom for blacks in America, and their criticisms of Jim Crowe laws were totally accurate. I wish, however, that Margolick had at least mentioned - once - their blindness toward the brutal rule of Stalin in the USSR.
The vast, vast majority of these progressive activists recognized their mistake, and their committment to the Bill of Rights and individual freedom only increased.
Despite this minor criticism, this is a fantastic book that documents the great change in American cultural norms over the last 50 years.It's hard to imagine a time when Billie Holiday and Strange Fruit would be banned and lynching accepted as a Southern tradition.
Thank God for progress!
A powerful book about a powerful song........2001-08-24
It may seem odd to devote an entire book to a single song, but if ever a song demanded such an exploration, itÕs Billie HolidayÕs recording of Strange Fruit. Almost everyone thinks itÕs brilliant, yet few people listen to it often. Holiday makes this depiction of a lynching so real that the song is physically painful to listen to. To this day, itÕs rarely played on jazz-formatted radio stations. ItÕs too disturbing. IÕve always wondered how Billie Holiday managed to get it recorded in 1939. Did radio stations play it? And where did she sing it? I simply could not imagine Lady Day, with a gardenia in her hair, singing such a horrifying song to people in a nightclub while they sipped martinis. And if she did, how did her audience react? The fascinating thing about this book is that it not only answered my questions, it also raised many issues I hadnÕt thought about. David Margolick has collected comments and anecdotes about Strange Fruit and HolidayÕs performance from a wide variety of sources Ð musicians who worked with her, people who saw her perform the song at different time in her life, and contemporary singers who have recorded the song or performed it. What they say raises a lot of interesting questions about the relationship between art and politics, as well as the relationship between an artist and her art. The most fascinating Ð and shocking Ð thing to me was the number of people who worked with Billie Holiday who insist that her performance was a fluke, that she did not understand what she was singing. She was an uneducated, not terribly intelligent woman, her "friends" say, and didnÕt even know the meaning of the songÕs words. To anyone who has ever heard the song, that suggestion seems insane. The words are powerful, but it is what Billie Holiday does with them that makes this the most disturbing recording ever made. It is clearly a song with a deep, personal meaning for her. In the end, after reading the book, and hearing about how she performed the song throughout her life (sometimes sharing it with an audience she thought would be sympathetic, but just as often using it as a slap in the face to an audience she felt did not respect her), you canÕt help but see that what makes HolidayÕs recording so personal, so deep, is that for her it wasnÕt only a song about lynching, it was a protest against all kinds of racism, including the racism of dismissing a brilliant artist as one more empty-headed "girl singer." Margolick makes a strong case that it was the first cry of the civil rights movement that began more than a decade later.
an ACCURATE account.......2001-01-31
This thought-provoking and well-researched book moves beyond the racism and anti-Semitism that have fueled myths, misconceptions, and inaccuracies about its subject for years. Unfortunately, we see many of those those inaccuracies lingering still in a number of popular forums. Do not be duped; read for yourself and learn the truth:
1) Lewis Allan is a PSEUDONYM for Abel Meeropol, a well-known and well-regarded high school English teacher and composer. He also wrote "The House I Live In" (music by Earl Robinson) which Frank Sinatra later made famous. Allan and Meeropol are THE SAME PERSON.
2) Meeropol and his wife LEGALLY adopted the Rosenberg children after their parents were executed and remained their legal guardians ever since. Both Rosenberg sons, Robert and Michael (who use the last name Meeropol) love and revere the Meeropols and consider them their parents.
3) The money to support the Rosenberg children was not raised by the Meeropols, but by a foundation, whose trustees included Shirley Graham Dubois, wife of civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois. The foundation existed PRIOR to the Meeropols' adoption of the children.
HOW COULD A SMART LAWYER WRITE SUCH A DUMB BOOK?.......2000-12-20
Stanford Law School educated lawyer David Margolick has appointed himself shyster for one of New York City's sleeziest historical figures of the 1930's and 1940's, Abel Meeropol, the guy who claimed he wrote southern author Lewis Allan's famous poem titled STRANGE FRUIT ("Southern trees bear a strange fruit, Blood on the leaves and blood on the root," etc.)
It's a poem about a lynched Black man put to bad music (probably by Meeropol) and made famous in torch song renditions by Billie Holliday and Eartha Kitt (and others).
The audacious Meeropol was no poet, but claimed he was, and even claimed copyright to Allan's poem. The fact is, Meeropol was a famous hustler, later noted for offering "shelter" to the sons of Julius and Ethel Rosenburg and tearfully raising money to support his "cause" of "saving" the Rosenburg children (a New York judge put a stop to all this).
Mr. Margolick's book is dull and poorly written, claiming sympathy for Billie Holiday and lynched Blacks in the South, but actually dripping with Crocodile tears and cynicism.
It's amazing that a piece of crap like this could get into print, but the "Running Press" of Philadelphia has turned the trick, and offers the book for $16.95 ($25.95 in Canada). Don't buy it or read it. It's awful.
Gee Baby, Ain't Margolick Good To Us.......2000-08-08
This warm-hearted generous book captures the bittersweet beauty of Lady and all of her glory. In concise, translucent prose that sparkles, David Margolick tells of the song that forces Americans to face the stark and shared history that brings together black and white, jew and gentile. By honestly facing the wounds of racism and bigotry, prejudice and betrayal, Margolick offers a book that refuses to accept despair and embraces Lady's music as a noble expression of hope born out of pain.
Average customer rating:
|
Profane Existence #45
Profane Existence
Manufacturer: Profane Existence
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Popular Culture
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Art
| Arts & Photography
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Popular Culture
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0966203518 |
Book Description
A welcome return for the zine that is truly Making Punk A Threat Again. Now in a new, paperback book format. 100 packed pages,together with a compilation CD, chronicling and celebrating 15 years (1989-2004) of Profane Existence Record releases. Inside you'll find interviews with Phobia, Behind Enemy Lines, Garmonbozia and the artist Marald, Reports from around the globe in the struggle against the New World Order, a Punx Vs Sexism Primer, the multimedia chronicling of resistance 'By Any Medium Necessary', columns, letters, prisoners, anarchism, and a whole lot more. A vital melding of music, and politics.
Customer Reviews:
great issue, great cd.......2006-07-26
Profane Existence is a punk classic, and rightly so. This is an awesome issue with some great interviews, articles and a compilation cd representative of the best of P.E.!
Book Description
How "public" is public television if only a small percentage of the American people tune in on a regular basis? When public television addresses "viewers like you," just who are you? Despite the current of frustration with commercial television that runs through American life, most TV viewers bypass the redemptive "oasis of the wasteland" represented by PBS and turn to the sitcoms, soap operas, music videos, game shows, weekly dramas, and popular news programs produced by the culture industries. Viewers Like You? traces the history of public broadcasting in the United States, questions its priorities, and argues that public TV's tendency to reject popular culture has undermined its capacity to serve the people it claims to represent. Drawing from archival research and cultural theory, the book shows that public television's perception of what the public needs is constrained by unquestioned cultural assumptions rooted in the politics of class, gender, and race.
Customer Reviews:
Can public television ever be relevant to the masses?.......2003-09-11
Laurie Ouellette has produced a scholarly work tracing the origins of public television. On the one hand, she points out that liberals complain that the PBS reliance on funding from private corporations compromises the networks ability to tackle controversial subjects that might be construed to be anti-business. Conservatives argue that PBS is nothing more than a programming service for the elite and that no government subsidies should be forthcoming. Ouellette makes the case that from the very beginning most PBS prime time programming was conceived by and directed at upper middle class and affluent white people. She also points out that in her opinion this remains the case today. I think she has a valid point. The author argues that as long as this attitude prevails public television will continue to be irrelevant to minorities and lower class whites. The author would prefer to see at least some prime time programming aimed at more general audiences. Whatever your opinion of the merits of publicly subsidized public television, this book is well worth your time. I must warn you however that this book is not an easy read and I deducted one star for that reason.
How PBS came to be.......2002-12-20
Meticulously researched and refreshingly accessible, Viewers Like You? takes us through the debates that surrounded the birth of public television in the US through to today's congressional funding battles. Ouellette deftly outlines how PBS was forged in the crucible of the turbulent 60s, and how the cultural politics of this institution have played out over the last 30 years. Ouellette is just as adept at fleshing out the origins of Sesame Street and those tedious fund-raising drives as she is weaving in a plethora of voices from the realm of cultural studies. If you're a fan of Masterpiece Theatre--or can't stand it--this book will help you sort out the why's and wherefore's of your own relationship with PBS and gives us a vision of what it could have been--and what it could be still.
Book Description
When multi-millionaire Randall Browning tried to build SC's first movie studio, he purchased SCETV's former production facility. Asbestos was soon discovered throughout and the entire business was destroyed. Browning lost everything. An intense investigation not only revealed that Browning was set-up, but that SC State government is plagued by corruption and incompetence. Experience this true story filled with cover-ups, fraud, conspiracy, murder, suicide, and an arrogant disregard by the State for the same environmental laws it's charged with enforcing. See why South Carolina politicians took money from a struggling education system that has consistently ranked last in the nation just to build the largest, most expensive ETV system in the world. Learn why educating your children or opening a business in South Carolina can be a huge risk. State officials say it's your own fault if you aren't careful!
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Columbia Journalism Review, published by Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism on September 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1386 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: PBS: Problematic Broadcasting System.(Book Review)
Author: Lawrence K. Grossman
Publication:
Columbia Journalism Review (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 2002
Publisher: Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism
Volume: 41
Issue: 3
Page: 67(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- access 2003
- MS Outlook textbook
- New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2003, Introductory, CourseCard Edition (New Perspectives (Paperback Course Technolog
- Fast shipping
- Best Step By Step Book for Access 2003 Beginners
|
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2003, Introductory, CourseCard Edition (New Perspectives (Paperback Course Technology))
Joseph J. Adamski , and
Kathy T. Finnegan
Manufacturer: Course Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Databases
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Beginning & Introductory
| Databases
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Software
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Computer Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Computers & Internet
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Excel 2003, Comprehensive, Second Edition (New Perspectives (Paperback Course Technology))
-
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003, Introductory, CourseCard Edition
-
Concepts of Database Management, Fifth Edition
-
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Excel 2003, Introductory, CourseCard Edition
-
New Perspectives on Microsoft FrontPage 2003, Introductory
ASIN: 1418839086 |
Book Description
Part of the New Perspectives series, this text offers a case-based, problem-solving approach and innovative technology for meaningful learning of Microsoft Access 2003. A great case-based introduction to Access, this text covers everything from queries and forms to creating custom reports and integrating Access with the Web and with other programs. Perfect for any introductory course or used in conjunction with our other Microsoft Office application books. Includes expanded appendix on Relational Databases.
Customer Reviews:
access 2003.......2007-07-10
i asked for a specific book, by code number and you sent the wrong book.
MS Outlook textbook.......2007-05-11
The textbook arrived very quickly and was in excellent condition. I would buy from this seller again.
New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2003, Introductory, CourseCard Edition (New Perspectives (Paperback Course Technolog.......2007-02-07
good buy
Fast shipping.......2007-01-09
Book arrived quickly. Was in the condition described. Would buy from them again.
Best Step By Step Book for Access 2003 Beginners.......2007-01-06
As a business application user I started studying Access 2003 using a book titled "Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Access 2003 in 24 Hours"; by Alison Balter. That book has a more conceptual approach and I felt I was taking too long to learn the fundamental steps of how to build a database with limited previous exposure to Access 2003. This book was very user friendly with less geek-speak and more graphics to show you how to achieve your database objectives in Access 2003. If you complete the exercises and then the challenge problems at the end of each chapter you'll quickly be the Access 2003 expert in a business administration setting. I highly recommend it for business application users before any another text book on Access 2003!
Book Description
This text includes features that make learning easy and enjoyable, yet challenging for learners. It includes a wide range of learning experiences from activities with one or two commands to simulations and case studies that challenge and sharpen learners' problem-solving skills.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book.......2007-03-30
I have bought many text book the past 2 years and this is the first one that I really feel compelled to review a text book. You can really learn a lot of things from it.
The step by step sections are taking you through the Microsoft Office programs such as Word Excel Access and PowerPoint. The ones that have written this book must be the ones that have designed "Office" because they describe exactly what you are about to see on the screen. If you buy the book used and the cd-rom is not included, you are in for a raw deal because you will not be able to do the step by step and the projects at the end of each chapter.
Just get this book and spend a few minutes everyday with it. You will save many hours as you use the "Office" programs.
Book Description
The Performing Series by renowned authors Iris Blanc and Cathy Vento, takes users to a higher level of learning through applied and project-based activities that go beyond the mechanics of the software. Most books begin by teaching software skills. The Performing Series presents various business documents first, then shows learners the Office 2003 skills needed to create them. This approach shows the relevance of skills learned as technology is applied to task.
Customer Reviews:
Lots to learn.......2006-11-04
It's a pretty good book overall. There are a lot of tutorials for all aspects of Office to help you learn everything possible about Office.
Wrong product received........2005-10-06
Full title of book was not represented on the web site. Book was part of a series and not the version we needed. We had to send back AT OUR EXPENSE.
Book Description
Part of the Illustrated series, this text offers a visual, flexible way to build and publish Web sites using Microsoft FrontPage 2003.
Books:
- Studio Stories: How the Great New York Records Were Made: From Miles to Madonna, Sinatra to The Ramones
- Studying Rhythm (3rd Edition)
- Subtraction Unplugged-Minuends to 18 (Unplugged)
- Sweet Life: Adventures On The Way To Paradise
- Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Full Score
- Tell Me Why: The Beatles: Album by Album, Song by Song, the Sixties and After
- Temples of Sound: Inside the Great Recording Studios
- The Art of Fugue: Bach Fugues for Keyboard, 1715-1750
- The Bagpipe
- The Beatles Solo on Apple Records
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy
- The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter
- Manual de Costos - Componentes Metodo de Evaluacio
- Solos for Young Violinists: Violin Part and Piano Accompaniment
- Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applicatio
- When Doctors Get Sick
- The Namesake: A Novel
- Peachtree Complete Accounting Workbook: Accounting Principles, Seventh Edition
- Seeking Shelter on the Pacific Rim: Financial Globalization, Social Change, and the Housing Market
- The Cattle Egret: A Texas Focus and World View
