Rating: 
Summary: A definitive biography
Review: This book fills a gaping hole in the biography section. It is the first volume of what I believe will be the definitive biography of a facinating, complex, contradictory man who was the leading singer of the first half of the 20th century, and whose art is unfairly ignored and almost forgotten today (except at Christmas time). This book is well researched, footnoted, and annotated. The author has done his homework. Mr. Giddins has a deep understanding of American popular music and its' key performers and how Crosby relates to them, and how he influenced them; and also how earlier performers and his contemporaries influenced the art of Crosby. My time was well spent reading this book, and I await volume two with anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Half biography / Half History /Altogether Magnificent
Review: This book is thoroughly engrossing, and very well-written. I originally purchased "Pocketful of Dreams" because I knew Giddins was a first-rate writer/historian, and so there would not be any cheap gossip thinly disguised as history/biography. I was right about that expectation, but found myself even more completely absorbed in Bing and his times than I ever imagined possible. This book was worth every penny, and I know I'll re-read it again in a few months; there is so much in these pages that the work warrants a second reading. Balanced, honest, and even more entertaining than the subject himself; Giddins' work transcended Bing's considerable persona. If you don't know much about Bing, start here. You won't be misled with fiction or innuendo. You'll also learn a heck of a lot of American history from the first half of the last (20th) century, and about the history of the popular singer---. You see, Bing was the first to achieve really broad appeal, and perhaps the greatest of all-time to this day. If you are interested in American History from the first half of the 20th Century, buy this book. If you are interested in the true history of 20th Century American Popular Music, buy this book. If you want a well written biography of Bing, buy this book. If you want a totally absorbing read, buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A MONSTER
Review: This book should have had mentioned that Mr. Crosby was a "monster" in his family life. People in this new century care about the overall real personality of successful personalities. Just because a person was able to become rich in any kind of legal business; It does not mean HE or She can be a very bad parent.
Rating:
Summary: BING CROSBY'S ULTIMATE BIOGRAPHER!!
Review: This book, only volume one of a 2 set; chronicles the life of Bing Crosby from 1903-1940. It is written with the wit, musical knowledge, and furvor of Gary Giddins, who is a brilliant writer of many books (SATCHMO is the greatest Louis Armstrong biography), and a great jazz critic for the Village Voice. Gary Giddins gives Bing Crosby his true place as the most influential Pop singer of the 20th Century. Bing Crosby invented the vocal style we use even today, and was the original King of All Media way before Howard Stern (the top star in Movies, Recordings, Radio, best-selling author, and later a TV staple). This volume covers the first half of Crosby's life, when he developed into what we know as BING CROSBY, and America was becoming what it eventually is recognized as now. I can't wait for the second volume (how long will we have to wait, Mr. Giddins???) A joy from cover to cover. Also includes discography of the years examined, and entire career filmography.
Rating:
Summary: 6 Stars for Bing
Review: This is a wonderful read even if all you ever knew about Bing Crosby was that he sang White Christmas. It is carefully researched and rich in history. The best part for me was that before I read the book I liked Bing's music and films and now, I like Bing. What a brilliant combination - a writer of Gary Giddins' caliber writing about one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. I am a great fan of both talents and eagerly await volume two.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING!
Review: Words can not realy express the latest writings of Gary Giddins. Mr. Giddins was brave enough to tackle a subject, BING CROSBY, that has been forgotten by modern society. Giddins paints a very honest and human portrait of Bing Crosby, and he does it with such a language as you will not want to put the book down.Gary Giddins is obviously a fan of Mr. Crosby, but he did not start out that way. Giddins found out that although Bing was not the actor we saw on the screen, Bing also was not the brutal father that has been misrepresented in the tabloids. PLEASE...do yourself a favor and buy this book. The only misgiving I have with the book is I have to wait until volume two to read the rest. However, it will be well worth the wait...
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