Rating: 
Summary: A very enjoyable read
Review: This book has a lot going for it. Do you like music, swing and jazz? Do you like intersting people? Did you live through the 30's, 40's and 50's? Do you enjoy reading about that era? Do you enjoy reading a well written biogratphy? If the answer to any of these is yes, you'll like this book, it the answer is yes to several of these questions then you'll LOVE this book. David Hajdu has done an exemplary job of documenting the life of Billy Strayhorn. I really felt like I knew the man after reading this. He has done his research and he also writes with a very smooth style that keeps you intersted. I love music and I've read bios of Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, BB King, Chuck Berry, Led Zepplin, Allman Bros. on and on. This is one of the best if not the best music bio I've read.
Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable read
Review: This book has a lot going for it. Do you like music, swing and jazz? Do you like intersting people? Did you live through the 30's, 40's and 50's? Do you enjoy reading about that era? Do you enjoy reading a well written biogratphy? If the answer to any of these is yes, you'll like this book, it the answer is yes to several of these questions then you'll LOVE this book. David Hajdu has done an exemplary job of documenting the life of Billy Strayhorn. I really felt like I knew the man after reading this. He has done his research and he also writes with a very smooth style that keeps you intersted. I love music and I've read bios of Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, BB King, Chuck Berry, Led Zepplin, Allman Bros. on and on. This is one of the best if not the best music bio I've read.
Rating:
Summary: A great biography of a man and an era
Review: This is a beautifully written book. I was transported to the time and place so much that I found myself crying when he died. I traveled throughout the country with my father, a jazz musician, during that time. This book does an excellent job of recreating the people, places, and energy of that time. If you're a jazz enthusiast, you'll really enjoy this window into a world you love. If you know nothing of jazz, you'll enjoy a well written book about a fascinating person.
Rating: 
Summary: not as newsworthy as the breathless reviews suggest
Review: This is a good book on a character hitherto encountered only in Ellington biographies. What's silly are the insinuations that Strayhorn didn't get a byline for his work or that he was the creative mind behind the Ellington orchestra. The songs for which the byline has always been Strayhorn are compelling enough to stand by themselves (his accomplishments were remarked at my family dinner table when he passed away). And Ellington had already written many of his greatest songs prior to meeting Strayhorn. So the 'Behind the Music/Entertainment Tonight' angles are ludicrous. Read the book and buy the records and prepare to be amazed.
Rating:
Summary: not as newsworthy as the breathless reviews suggest
Review: This is a good book on a character hitherto encountered only in Ellington biographies. What's silly are the insinuations that Strayhorn didn't get a byline for his work or that he was the creative mind behind the Ellington orchestra. The songs for which the byline has always been Strayhorn are compelling enough to stand by themselves (his accomplishments were remarked at my family dinner table when he passed away). And Ellington had already written many of his greatest songs prior to meeting Strayhorn. So the 'Behind the Music/Entertainment Tonight' angles are ludicrous. Read the book and buy the records and prepare to be amazed.
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