Woody Guthrie: A Life

The classic biography of the influential American folk singer Woody Guthrie, inspired a generation of songwriters, including Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. His music captured the unsung life of field hands, migrant workers, and union organizers, making him an American cultural icon.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Few artists have captured the American experience of their time as wholly as folk legend Woody Guthrie. Singer, songwriter, and political activist, Guthrie drew a lifetime of inspiration from his roots on the Oklahoma frontier in the years before the Great Depression. His music -- scathingly funny songs and poignant folk ballads -- made heard the unsung life of field hands, migrant workers, and union organizers, and showed it worthy of tribute. Though his career was tragically cut short by the onset of a degenerative disease that ravaged his mind and body, the legacy of his life and music had already made him an American cultural icon, and has resounded with every generation of musician and music lover since.

In this definitive biography, renowned journalist Joe Klein creates an unforgettable portrait of a man as gifted, restless, and complicated as the American landscape he came from.

Born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie was the youngest of four children. His father, a carpenter, was a hardworking man who instilled in his son a strong work ethic and a love of music. From an early age, Guthrie showed a natural talent for singing and playing guitar, and he began performing at local events and gatherings.

Guthrie's music was a reflection of the social and political climate of the time. He sang about the struggles of the working class, the plight of the poor, and the injustices of the system. His songs were filled with humor, anger, and hope, and they struck a chord with audiences of all ages.

Despite his success, Guthrie was never satisfied with his music. He was constantly seeking new ways to express himself and his ideas. In the 1930s, he began traveling the country, performing at folk festivals and political rallies. He also started to write his own songs, which were even more political and socially conscious than his earlier work.

Guthrie's political activism was a major part of his life. He was a member of the American Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice. He was arrested several times for his political beliefs, and he spent time in prison in the 1940s.

Despite his challenges, Guthrie remained committed to his music and his political beliefs. He continued to perform and write until his death in 1967, at the age of 55. His legacy lives on today, as his music continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

In this definitive biography, renowned journalist Joe Klein creates an unforgettable portrait of a man as gifted, restless, and complicated as the American landscape he came from. Born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie was the youngest of four children. His father, a carpenter, was a hardworking man who instilled in his son a strong work ethic and a love of music. From an early age, Guthrie showed a natural talent for singing and playing guitar, and he began performing at local events and gatherings.

Guthrie's music was a reflection of the social and political climate of the time. He sang about the struggles of the working class, the plight of the poor, and the injustices of the system. His songs were filled with humor, anger, and hope, and they struck a chord with audiences of all ages.

Despite his success, Guthrie was never satisfied with his music. He was constantly seeking new ways to express himself and his ideas. In the 1930s, he began traveling the country, performing at folk festivals and political rallies. He also started to write his own songs, which were even more political and socially conscious than his earlier work.

Guthrie's political activism was a major part of his life. He was a member of the American Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice. He was arrested several times for his political beliefs, and he spent time in prison in the 1940s.

Despite his challenges, Guthrie remained committed to his music and his political beliefs. He continued to perform and write until his death in 1967, at the age of 55. His legacy lives on today, as his music continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

In this definitive biography, renowned journalist Joe Klein creates an unforgettable portrait of a man as gifted, restless, and complicated as the American landscape he came from. Born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie was the youngest of four children. His father, a carpenter, was a hardworking man who instilled in his son a strong work ethic and a love of music. From an early age, Guthrie showed a natural talent for singing and playing guitar, and he began performing at local events and gatherings.

Guthrie's music was a reflection of the social and political climate of the time. He sang about the struggles of the working class, the plight of the poor, and the injustices of the system. His songs were filled with humor, anger, and hope, and they struck a chord with audiences of all ages.

Despite his success, Guthrie was never satisfied with his music. He was constantly seeking new ways to express himself and his ideas. In the 1930s, he began traveling the country, performing at folk festivals and political rallies. He also started to write his own songs, which were even more political and socially conscious than his earlier work.

Guthrie's political activism was a major part of his life. He was a member of the American Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice. He was arrested several times for his political beliefs, and he spent time in prison in the 1940s.

Despite his challenges, Guthrie remained committed to his music and his political beliefs. He continued to perform and write until his death in 1967, at the age of 55. His legacy lives on today, as his music continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

In this definitive biography, renowned journalist Joe Klein creates an unforgettable portrait of a man as gifted, restless, and complicated as the American landscape he came from. Born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie was the youngest of four children. His father, a carpenter, was a hardworking man who instilled in his son a strong work ethic and a love of music. From an early age, Guthrie showed a natural talent for singing and playing guitar, and he began performing at local events and gatherings.

Guthrie's music was a reflection of the social and political climate of the time. He sang about the struggles of the working class, the plight of the poor, and the injustices of the system. His songs were filled with humor, anger, and hope, and they struck a chord with audiences of all ages.

Despite his success, Guthrie was never satisfied with his music. He was constantly seeking new ways to express himself and his ideas. In the 1930s, he began traveling the country, performing at folk festivals and political rallies. He also started to write his own songs, which were even more political and socially conscious than his earlier work.

Guthrie's political activism was a major part of his life. He was a member of the American Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice. He was arrested several times for his political beliefs, and he spent time in prison in the 1940s.

Despite his challenges, Guthrie remained committed to his music and his political beliefs. He continued to perform and write until his death in 1967, at the age of 55. His legacy lives on today, as his music continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

In this definitive biography, renowned journalist Joe Klein creates an unforgettable portrait of a man as gifted, restless, and complicated as the American landscape he came from. Born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie was the youngest of four children. His father, a carpenter, was a hardworking man who instilled in his son a strong work ethic and a love of music. From an early age, Guthrie showed a natural talent for singing and playing guitar, and he began performing at local events and gatherings.

Guthrie's music was a reflection of the social and political climate of the time. He sang about the struggles of the working class, the plight of the poor, and the injustices of the system. His songs were filled with humor, anger, and hope, and they struck a chord with audiences of all ages.

Despite his success, Guthrie was never satisfied with his music. He was constantly seeking new ways to express himself and his ideas. In the 1930s, he began traveling the country, performing at folk festivals and political rallies. He also started to write his own songs, which were even more political and socially conscious than his earlier work.

Guthrie's political activism was a major part of his life. He was a member of the American Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice. He was arrested several times for his political beliefs, and he spent time in prison in the 1940s.

Despite his challenges, Guthrie remained committed to his music and his political beliefs. He continued to perform and write until his death in 1967, at the age of 55. His legacy lives on today, as his music continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571384297
Edition number: Main