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by Mark N. Grant
ISBN: 1555536239
Binding/Media: Hardcover - 380 pages
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: Sold with pride and shipped with confirmation for US addresses. EX LIBRARY copy in a good condition. Moderate reading wear. This book did not spend too much time in circulation. Usual library markings present.
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Customer Reviews
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The Fabulous Musical Invalid
Rating  (4)
Date: 2007-11-11
An homage to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals (c. 1927-64), this analytical overview is musically astute and well-plumbed for detail, dissecting virtually every hit or should-have-been hit of the period. The pre-Golden Age is examined, too, with its froth and silliness exposed yet again. Contemporary composers and directors are skewered in contrast: the microphone destroyed singing, rock music killed the musical, librettos are dead, and no one can write lyrics any more except Sondheim. Though your hackles may rise at some points in the narrative (I do like SOME of Flaherty and Ahrens), there really are no substitutes for Gershwin, Weill, Porter, R&H, Bernstein and Larry Hart, right? Check out this passionate, professionally-crafted tome and share it with your Broadway-geek friends. Lively repartee will ensue!
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Negative and nasty, with one exception
Rating  (2)
Date: 2007-07-23
0 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical is among the most critical books written about the subject. Mr. Grant picks apart almost every aspect of the genre, espeically the writers of today- Maury Yeston, Ahrens and Flaherty, even Stephen Sondheim! He finds fault with nearly every director of musicals- Fosse, Prince, Bennett, Tune, Champion (not Jerome Robbins though, thankfully) and really seems to dislike any musical that isn't Carousel or Gypsy.
How are the new writers and directors of today supposed to create new work for the musical theatre when they are harshly criticized by authors such as this one? While many new musicals and new authors of musicals are not particularly good, the ones Mr. Grant picks apart are not in this category. Nine by Maury Yeston is one of Broadway's best scores. Ahrens and Flaherty's Ragtime is a wonderful piece. And who in God's name could criticize Sondheim?
Mr. Grant does make one interesting point, that Hello, Dolly! killed the musical (You'll have to read the book to learn why). Because of that, I suggest reading this book. However, you can stop once you've read that part.
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Excellent information & research, but author's contemptuous tone grates
Rating (4)
Date: 2005-07-25
4 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
"The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical" is largely what the title says: a detailing of the musical theatre's evolution into the so-called "golden age" of the 40's through the 60's, and subsequent descent into near-obsolesence and irrelevence. I am torn on this book, because the exhaustive and extensive research done by Grant provides a fascinating look at the form, from forgotten composers of early operettas in the late 19th-early 20th century to little-known facts and analysis of the most popular theatre composers of the golden age. In particular, his discussion and insights into the musical influences of composers is surprising and in some cases even shocking, such as Leonard Bernstein "borrowing" some of his WEST SIDE STORY melodies from earlier operetta, or the possibility that prolific orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett may have been the true unheralded genius behind shaping the primitive work of Berlin, Rodgers, Kern, etc. into memorable tunes.
On the other hand, I frequently found Grant's attitude towards contemporary shows ("contemporary" meaning every show post-1966, according to his definition) and his air of elitism annoying and borderline insufferable. His analysis from a musical standpoint of how the "classic Broadway sound" naturally reveals character and emotions better than the "rock beat" driving many newer shows is interesting, but ultimately fails to really prove his point. In other sections, Grant flies through the "modern" era of Broadway after an obsessively detailed account of an aspect of pre-1966 shows, dismissing all shows as inferior and banal and lumping them all into one category. This, in my opinion, is his largest shortcoming--how does Jason Robert Brown's PARADE (1998) fit into the same category as Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD (1995), or Ahrens & Flaherty's MY FAVORITE YEAR (1993) with Adam Guettel's FLOYD COLLINS (1999)? To his credit, he does attempt a few specific critcisms of certain shows and songs at certain points, such as a musical analysis/comparison of a classic showtune with a contemporary one, but again, ultimately his point is obtuse and not readily apparent (not to mention very difficult to follow if the reader has no musical training).
I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but had to knock it down to 4 because of the author's unfortunate generalizations of contemporary Broadway and general air of contempt. I disagree with many of Grant's opinions, but he has definitely made me think, and in spite of his tone it is almost certain that any fan of Broadway musicals who reads "The Rise and Fall..." will come away with a new appreciation for the art form.
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Another book that hates contemporary musicals
Rating  (3)
Date: 2005-07-07
11 out of 23 customers found this reveiw helpful
Though there is a smattering of good information in this book, the author's misanthropic opinions will be offensive to anyone who loves contemporary musical theatre. Grant pretty much hates everything written in the last twenty-five years, hates rock and pop music, and thinks musicals should have stopped evolving during the 50s. He contends that there's only one way to create a musical, that anything that doesn't follow the Rodgers and Hammerstein model isn't really a musical, that concept musicals aren't musicals, in short, that this amazing art form should never change from what it was in the 40s and 50s.
His narrow and oddly grouchy take on this most American art form will either make you angry or depressed. If it does, just remember that he's WRONG -- the American musical has never been healthier or more vigorous, in regional theatres all over America, in Canada and Europe, and occasionally when we're lucky, even on Broadway... :)
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A Smash Hit!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2005-04-11
11 out of 13 customers found this reveiw helpful
Mark N. Grant's first book -- "Maestros of the Pen: A History of Classical Music Criticism in America" -- was excellent (I'm not alone in this opinion: it won an ASCAP-Deems Taylor award). If anything, "The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical" is even better. It has the same acute analysis (at once sophisticated, and accessible to the "layman")and narrative momentum that characterized the first book. It is spiced with fascinating anecdotes. And it is ingeniously organized. Thus, rather than setting out a strictly chronological presentation of the history of the Broadway musical, it is organized according to the key elements of this art form: singing, book and lyrics (with a subset addressing the effect, on lyrics and dramatic flow, of changes in rhythmic paradigms), sound design, and direction and choreography. Essentially, it is the same story, but told from four very different points of view. The reader's understanding deepens with each shift of perspective. Furthermore, this ingenious device facilitates the coherent development of Grant's argument -- i.e., that what he perceives as the "fall" of the Broadway musical (beginning circa 1966, with the end of the "Golden Age") results from the corruption of, and/or disproportionate emphasis upon, one or or another of these elements. Whether or not you disagree with Grant's argument, his narrative will engage you because it makes you re-evaluate your own opinions. Even if your views do not change as a result of this book, you will find that they have been strengthened by the challenge. In short, I highly recommend "Rise and Fall" to anyone with an interest in music, musicals, American culture, the anatomy of the creative process, or any of the above. You are in for a treat!
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by Smith & Hawken
ISBN: 0761145451
Binding/Media: Calendar - 28 pages
Condition: Used: Like New
Comments: Sold with pride and shipped with confirmation for US addresses. Like new condition. No markings.
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Customer Reviews
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Secret Garden Calendar 2008
Rating (4)
Date: 2008-02-24
This is a very nice calendar. I have only two complaints. Since I use this calendar to inspire me to think of the warm blooming months during the Great Lakes winters, I did not like the winter scene for December. I could look out my window for that. Also, I would have liked a couple more "vista" photos rather than all close-ups of the gardens. That way I could mentally wonder down a path.
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I have a secret desire to disappear into one of these gardens
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-02-09
6 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
When I checked the calendar last week for an appointment, I discovered that 2007 was still up and set on December. Where have I been? I found Amazon and zipped through the calendars, fully expecting nada since stores don't have calendars any more. Voila! The perfect calendar-- the Secret Garden.
I ordered, it came in. The pictures are stunning in their glorious greens and shades and, well, abundance. When I look out my patio door, I see what I call my cottage garden. There is a lovely little shed with windows all around where I house my potting soil, pots, wheelbarrow, and other garden tools. It has two ceiling fans and even in hottest summer--Louisiana is in the sub-tropics--the shed stays cool.
I have been working on this cottage garden for three years now. In the spring it will look like the lush garden you see depicted in the picture. Of course, I cannot go out there because hordes of mosquitoes are just waiting for me. There is something about my blood that excites their little buzzers and biters and pinchers.
But I can dream.
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Absolutely Beautiful!
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-02-08
This is the second year I have purchased this calendar and I am hooked for life! There are other "garden" calendars, but none with quite the same style, richness and beauty of the photography. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys gorgeous garden and nature scenery.
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perfect calendars
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-02-08
I needed some new calendars for my office and house....but I am picky....didn't want any of the free ones that come from the insurance agent, etc.....Looked in a few stores,,, to no avail... nothing really beautiful....went online and found exactly what I wanted on Amazon...They are both lovely and compliment my home just as I wanted....Received them quickly and efficiently.. Thanks so much, Cherrie Middleton
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Beautiful Calendar
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-01-18
I have been getting this calendar for several years. The photos are beautiful. I only wish they reflected a garden in my backyard.
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by Colin Baxter
ISBN: 071539164X
Binding/Media: Hardcover - 96 pages
Condition: Used: Like New
Comments: Sold with pride and shipped with confirmation for US addresses. No publisher marks, no shelf wear.
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