by Jon Meacham
First published 2019
Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw examine how music shaped America from the Revolutionary War to today. The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian provides historical context while the Grammy-winning country star offers an artist's perspective on the songs that defined each era. They begin with Revolutionary battle hymns and move through Civil War melodies, World War anthems, Great Depression ballads, Civil Rights songs, Vietnam War protests, and contemporary tracks. Each chapter connects specific songs to the cultural and political moments that created them. Meacham analyzes how "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Born in the U.S.A." reflected their times, while McGraw explains what these songs mean to performers and audiences. The book shows how American music captures where the nation has been and suggests what it might become.
Genres: history, american, non-fiction, music, americana, american-history
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: artist-commentary, historical-perspective
Setting: United States
Period: Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Great Depression, Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War
320 pages · Hardcover · Random House