Ewen approaches this exhaustive history of American music chronologically, covering the multitude of popular musical styles, their influences, their creators and performers, and the times that shaped them, including the influence of radio, film, and electronics. He begins in 1620 and concludes the final chapters in a section entitled “Since 1960” which covers rock, folk, soul, country, Broadway, and the decline of Hollywood.

For jazz standards readers and researchers, Ewen’s book provides a great historical overview of American popular music. There are especially interesting chapters on the jazz age, Tin Pan Alley, ASCAP and BMI, the dance bands, “tune lifting,” the swing era and the “sing” era. There are more contemporary alternatives to Ewen’s book but few more affordable than used copies available at Amazon.

David Ewen is a prolific and successful music writer, having published more than 80 books which cover every facet of music. Many of them have been used as texts in high schools and colleges. He was the authorized biographer of George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Richard Rodgers. He wrote and co-produced a 52-week series on popular music that was broadcast by Voice of America and was adjunct professor of music at the University of Miami.