history and criticism

A brief introduction to folk music that defines what it is and discusses its history, instruments, and significant individuals.

A brief introduction to country music that defines what it is and discusses its history, instruments, and significant individuals.

A brief introduction to classical music that defines what it is and discusses its history, instruments, and significant individuals.

"More than any other, one song traces America's history of patriotism and protest." Discover how the lyrics have been adapted, from pre-colonial times to the present day.

Young readers will learn that Jazz came from a kind of music called ragtime. Jazz musicians helped make the first drum sets.

A collection of essays that explore philosophical questions raised by the premise of the Orson Scott Card novel, "Ender's Game," in which highly trained child geniuses fight a race of invading aliens.

A reference to popular American music and musicians, with alphabetical entries for major groups and bands from the last 60 years; selected discographies from classic rock to hip hop, and additional entries linking larger popular music concepts such as the evolution of the recording industry, the role of Woodstock, and the supergroup.

Contains 200 reviews of significant fiction and nonfiction published in 2014. Provides coverage for works that are likely to be of particular interest to the general reader, that reflect the publishing trends of a given year, and that will stand up to the test of time.

A collection of seventeen of Daniel Clowes' comics, his work about the history of cartooning, interviews, a biography of the cartoonist and a chronology of his work, and more, accompanied by annotations and critical commentary that explores the complexities of Clowes' art.

Introduces Woodstock Festival, a three-day concert in upstate New York in the summer of 1969.