About the Author

Alec Wilder was the composer of such famous songs as "I'll Be Around," "It's So Peaceful in the Country," and "While We're Young," as well as theater and film scores and chamber music for every instrument in the orchestra.

Reviews

"Remains today the best single examination of its subject."--The Washington Post Book World
"Provocative, informative, opinionated, and never dull" --Down Beat
"Wonderful" --The New York Times
"A joy to anyone who really cares about American popular music....An invaluable reference" --Max Morath
"A rewarding book, endowed with grace and wit" --Milton Babbitt
"Invaluable and pioneering" --Whitney Balliett, The New Yorker
"A singular book" --Studs Terkel