This very informative book has many explanations of Native American marriage traditions along with helpful hints on how to incorporate those traditions into contemporary weddings and life. The author has included poems, folklore, recipes, jewelry tips, a great index, and a helpful bibliography.

In my class we have to do a book report every month. The month of December we did biographies. So, I picked this book, Pocahontas. There are 176 pages of interesting events that happened in Pocahontas's life. Although some of them are sad, they are written in a great way. At the beginning of the book, the book tells you on what pages you can see nicely done illustrations by Meryl Henderson, too. This is a great book and I think you should read it. I enjoyed reading Pocahontas and so will you so go to the nearest bookstore and buy this book!

This is not "The Works" (10 stars**********) but a cute kids book. Hope to see more books published on Jim Henson and his works, past, present and future.

A great little book for kids about one of my heroes, Jim Henson. I, an adult, read it because it is one of the few Jim Henson biographies available...where is a full scale adult biography of one of the most important entertainers of our time? This is a sweet little book that the kids will enjoy. And maybe a few adults too...

A great way for kids to experience the magic that is Henson. Jim Henson has had many books written about him, but this one is the best way to introduce kids to the man behind the Muppets.

Leslie Gourse and her team have done a book of merit, an investigation of true achievements, but one that lacks passion, and previous knowledge about the central theme: the life and music of Thelonious Monk. Nevertheless, this book is as close as one can get to the personal life of the high priest of bebop, but not to his musical perspectives. The author misses her point absolutly in avoiding a serious treatment of the music of one of the true geniuses of american music.

This book has gotten unjustified bad press. The author accurately captures the "real" T. Monk. She traces Monk's development and commitment to jazz over his career. The author had access to Monk's family (e.g., Toot his drummer son), friends, supporters, and the musicians that knew him. What I particularly like about the book was her treatment of Monk's mysterious pathology. Monk was a very strange guy. Various psychiatrists discounted him being schizophrenic and bipolar. The concensus was that he chemically ruined his brain over the years. He also cultivated an image of eccentricity. During the last six years of his life, he got up, put on a suit and tie (he was always sartorially snappy) and then laid in bed all day. This is a very good book and provided an insightful picture of this eccentric musical genius.

Attention T.Monk fans! This book has lots of info on Monk. It is written in a very interesting way. Much of the info is from personal interviews, which means that there are many interesting and funny facts and stories. There are some great photographs of Monk with other jazz pioneers such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie etc. It also has a sessionography, index, list of compositions, and videography. A must read.

I bought this book some time back and have dipped into it regularly for research purposes. A must for all Billie fans.

Whenever confronted with the eternal question of what my "desert island discs" would be, I always start the list with Columbia's set of Billie Holiday double LPs which came out in the 1960s... and invariably my questioners will comment on what a depressing choice that would be. I feel somewhat vindicated by this book's firm assertions that Holiday was not, in fact, a downcast performer. Like the other volumes in Schirmer Books' excellent "Companion" series, this anthology draws on a wide range of sources, including artist interviews and autobiographies, contemporary newspaper reviews and formal music criticism. This patchwork of Holiday's admirers and intimates creates a warm and frequently contradictory portrait of the world's greatest jazz vocalist. An extremely vulnerable yet extremely toughened, capable artist, Holiday's life is often seen through the filter of her tragic drug abuse, which led to her complete physical breakdown and death in 1959. This sordid reduction of Holiday's life has led many of her biographers to protectively soften or cover up aspects of her personality, which in turn has contributed to the confusion about her life. Editor Leslie Gourse skillfully weaves through these various accounts, offering illuminating commentary as to their relative strengths and blind spots. Included are entries by musicians such as Buck Clayton, producers John Hammond, Milt Gabler and Leonard Feather, and a host of journalists and biographers, including Gourse's own essay, "There Was No Middle Ground With Billie Holiday". An invaluable resource for anyone who wants to find out more about Lady Day, her influence on modern vocals, and her sad yet glorious life. Highly recommended.

My only criticism of this appealing book is that it skirts the issue of Gillespie's having fathered and supported an out -of-wedlock child;singer Jeanie Bryson. Ms. Gourse fudges,"Dizzy and (his wife) Lorraine had no children." Quite right, but even in a book for young readers, there is room for a little candor.Diz was a great musician, not a saint. Those who insist on portraying him as one have their work cut out for them. I hope to find this and other books about our heroes in the ection marked "biography", not "mythology". Oh, and as for drug use, Dizzy did his share , but his shrewd instincts for self-preservation kept him from the self-destructive excesses of, say, a Charlie Parker.His spectacular story needs to be told, with all its complexity and contradictions.

Wynton Marsalis has essentially a fascist view of jazz. It is therefore fitting that a court biographer like Leslie Gourse write his bio.

Wynton Marsalis is rather young to be a subject of a biography. However, he has been so very prolific in virtually all avenues of the art of music that there is more than ample material for a biographer to explore. Leslie Gourse's writing is in depth, focused, and enjoyable to read. She traces Wynton's childhood, his intra-family relationships, his early days of music making, his stint with Art Blakey, his leadership of small jazz combos, his award winning jazz and European concert recordings, his artistic development (both musically and philosophically), his children and romantic relationships, and his (in my opinion) unjustifiably controversial stewardship of the Jazz at Lincoln Center program.

Ms. Gourse brings all of these aspects of Wynton's life and career to the forefront. The book recounts the stories made infamous by the popular press (anger over Branford's defection to Sting, the onstage confrontation with Miles Davis, the allegations of racial bias at Lincoln Center), but it delves into much more interesting areas as well. I was particularly interested in Wynton's non-stop daily schedule of music making, practicing, composing, lecturing on musical subjects, and helping young musicians through impromptu practice sessions and telephone calls. I was also intrigued by the development of Wynton's philosophical views on music and life beginning with his parents' influence by example, and perhaps culminating with Wynton's discussions with the writer, Albert Murray. Mr. Murray exposed Wynton to a reading list of important works of literature, politics, and American social history which was as influential to Wynton as it would be to any young person with a keen intellect and a desire to make sense out of the world.

Of course, the bottom line to this biography is Wynton's love of jazz and his never ending efforts in sharing that treasure with the world. I have no doubt that Wynton Marsalis will be swinging like a tiger and preaching the gospel of jazz every day of his life. This book is ultimately a celebration of that spirit.

Highly recommended.

"Skains Domain" Leslie Gourse

This book is just superb. Gourse gives us a total look into the life of one of the greatest jazz musicians and the greatest trumpet virtuoso of our time. The book gives mainly accounts from interviews held with Wynton, his friends, and his family members. It provides great detail of his beginnings as Artistic Director of the highly heralded Jazz @ Lincoln Center program, as well as various aspects into his personal relationship with former girlfriend, and Mother of two of his children: Candace Stanley. It also deals with the relationship between Marsalis and Actress Victoria Rowell, of which he has one other son. The book really digs into what it's like to be in "Skains Domain". I would say that this is a must for anyone interested in Jazz or in Wynton. Wynton is truly a remarkable man, and what makes this book best is that it allows you to see that not only is Wynton one of the greatest musicians of the 20th Century, but also a very kind and caring gentlemen. The book also lets you see how his music and his career has evolved. It is fascinating to read how his Quintet, transformed into a Quartet, then to a Septet and finally evolving into his career at Lincoln Center. Wynton cares about perpetuating the music, and bringing it to the forefront of the public eye. He is also a great student of the music, paying close attention and homage to his elders and learning from them along the way. He is not about awards and accolades, of which he has many. This is not what Skain is really about. He is however about being a first class musician and spokesman for the greatest American Art form: Jazz. Wynton, I am sure that if Pops were alive, he would be very proud of you. Marsalis is the Michael Jordan of the music world. Being a trumpet player myself and having had several occasions to talk to Wynton briefly, I am really motivated by this book to be a better educator and a better trumpet player.

I don't know if it's this kind of "essay collection" book that I don't like, but now I'm looking for a more complete biography on Ella. But the text is most of the time very journalisticand boring, and way too positive to sound like a biography. I should have paid attention to the title "seven decades of commentary". My bad.

This book is a compilation of articles, linear notes & book excerpts plus a selected discography and bibliography of Ella Fitzgerald, "The First Lady of Jazz."
Follows her from orphan to icon - gives you an oversight of how the singer was discovered in Harlem and rose to be the highest-paid jazz singer in the world.
Not an actual biography this book collects writings about Ella Fitzgerald and her career from a variety of sources and follows her achievements over the years.

Leslie Gourse had made a career of collecting informations about jazz musicians - but all the infomations in the world dont neccesary make this book interesting.From time to time it seems to me like Im reading Nat Cole's concert date-to-date schedule,but there were any author's style or opinions to be found.Gourse has obviously spend hours researching the documents about this book,yet there is nothing to be said about MUSIC (except providing chart numbers,again so boring and grey).This book cries to be updated,as Natalie Cole recorded her classic "Unforgettable" album after this book was finished!I am currently reading Louis Armstrong's biography "An extravagant life" which has everything this book lack: class,style and most of all,the feeling that author was really involved in writting the book,not just collecting recording dates.

Leslie Gourse's book is interesting to read, with the interviews with friends and family members of Cole's. I found some inaccuracies in describing daughter Natalie's career, but it was a good read. Obviously this book was written right before Natalie released her biggest selling CD, UNFORGETTABLE WITH LOVE, which was a loving tribute to her deceased father, because Gourse doesn't mention it at all. I also noticed that Gourse tends to go off on tangents at times, discussing other people and situations, then is suddenly reminded that this is a book about Nat King Cole.

Gourse gives the reader a behind-the-scenes look at the life of this legendary jazz musician whose fame was only eclipsed by his distinctive and warm baritone voice. He endured many battles against prejudiced whites, in the entertainment industry, in his own family, and in his own race, feeling like he had to act a certain way just to please everybody. It's heartbreaking to know that he died so young. And for all the criticism he received from his own race and from other jazz artists (who never seem to want to acknowledge Nat's background in that genre, unless it's in passing, but yet you had so many groups copying his King Cole Trio format), he was truly a trailblazer, and without him, things may not have happened for blacks when they did...not saying that they wouldn't have happened at all, but because of Nat, THEY DID HAPPEN. I recommend this book when it comes back into print by the end of this year. Reading this and the Epstein biography of Cole (which is more recent, released in Oct. 1999), will give you great insight into his life. You will feel as if you knew him, like I did. Worth checking out.

The author L. Gourse was shameful, utterly careless in her dealing and research of the gem that is Carmen!

What demons dwelled in residence within this author that she should have chosen so wretched a photograph to depict the jewel that was Carmen? Her depiction of the "Gem" Carmen was ghastly, not to mention downright hasty, shameful.

I hope she will know that when her turn comes, the same carelessness will accompany any rememberances of her as a 'so-called' biographer. Startling details and conclusions were boldly brought forth, but sadly, it fizzes away with lack of evidence or any weighty proofs. Shameful is all I say and careless trivialities concerning her subject, for "subject" is all that our jewel Carmen was to this author, not merely a human being. Carmen deserves better!

Carol "chickadee coralreef amaryillis" Ann

The woman cannot spell, but not only does she have great trouble with the language, she seems clueless when it comes to her subject. She has assembled numerous books, none of any substance, and this alleged biography of Carmen McRae is so full of factual errors that it is almost laughable.

What a missed opportunity! There are not many books written about wonderful Carmen Mc Rae and Gourse could finally writte something interesting about this underrated singer but unfortunately Gourse know only how to collect previously published articles and squeeze them together as "book" - I read most of her "books" and its always the same dry story,wonder why she never uses her own talent (if she have any,her book "Louis' Children is the only one interesting - but then,its collection of short profiles written as a journalism,so perhaps thats what Gourse knows how to do) to make her writting a bit more substantial,a bit more than just a articles-collection.I imagine Gourse to spend evenings at library where those articles can be collected and then just splash them together carelessly in some sort of chronological order - who cares for recording dates when at the end nothing was really said about Carmen Mc Rae? I love Mc Rae dearly and feel her sensitivity behind those defensive walls she built around her,what a shame Gourse did her usual quick job and did not used the opportunity for some insight into life of this enigmatic woman! The only good thing about this book is that all the previously published informations about Mc Rae are collected here in one thin volume,hopefully somebody will came along to writte more researched and detailed biography! And the picture on the cover is SO ugly - with Mc Rae glamourous looks and so many other,better photos inside of the book I wonder why was this unflattering picture choosen for a cover?