Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin - Softcover

9780823083329: Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
A biography of the legendary composer discusses Gershwin's sexual and romantic life, his illegitimate son, the truth behind his death, his early efforts as a composer, his talent, and his popularity

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:
Peyser has been a writer for The New York Times for over 20 years
From Kirkus Reviews:
A Gershwin run-through, by the biographer of Bernstein (1987) and Boulez (1976): a disjointed mix of familiar anecdotes, so-so musicology, rancid gossip, and psychobabble. The supposed Big Story here is Gershwin's illegitimate son- -born in 1926, Peyser claims, to actress Mollie Charleston, but raised as ``Alan Schneider'' by Mollie's sister and brother-in-law. The primary sources are iffy: a former Gershwin valet and Alan himself, who has admittedly suffered from amnesia. Moreover, Peyser's own credibility is severely compromised by her inclusion, throughout the book, of thirdhand rumors about other illegitimate children and Gershwin's sexual habits. (At one point, we're told what someone said his psychiatrist said another patient said about Gershwin.) Nor are the Gershwin family portraits entirely convincing. According to Peyser, George himself, raised by rejecting parents, was a narcissist with low self-esteem, incapable of real feeling; wounded by bad reviews in the 1930's, he internalized his anger and wound up with a brain tumor. (According to Peyser's medical consultants, it started growing years before he died.) Brother Ira, a blur here, was ``virtually pathological when it came to money,'' under the thumb of ``cruel,'' ``rapacious'' wife Leonore. And there are unsatisfying glimpses of George's many girlfriends, with only Kay Swift emerging as more than a clutch of innuendos. As for the music, Peyser offers the standard ``torn between two worlds'' story: the facile songwriter straining for concert-hall greatness. Her analysis of the symphonic work is serviceable, but her treatment of the songs is unacceptably sketchy, with a thesis--Ira's lyrics tell George's life-story--that doesn't work. Gershwin's dark side may merit more attention than it's gotten in the past, but Peyser's version is too shrill and unscholarly to be taken seriously. Stick with Edward Jablonski (Gershwin, 1987), Deena Rosenberg (Fascinating Rhythm, 1991), and the other more balanced Gershwin commentators. (Thirty-two pages of b&w photographs) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherBillboard Books
  • Publication date1998
  • ISBN 10 0823083322
  • ISBN 13 9780823083329
  • BindingPaperback
  • Number of pages320
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9781423410256: The Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9781423410256
Publisher: Hal Leonard, 2007
Softcover

  • 9780671709488: The Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin

    Simon ..., 1993
    Hardcover

  • 9780517138731: The Memory of All That

    Random..., 1995
    Hardcover

  • 9780671979133: The Memory of All That

    Simon ...
    Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Peyser, Joan
Published by Billboard Books (1998)
ISBN 10: 0823083322 ISBN 13: 9780823083329
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GridFreed
(North Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Seller Inventory # 20-01360

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 14.95
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 5.45
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peyser, Joan
Published by Billboard Books (1998)
ISBN 10: 0823083322 ISBN 13: 9780823083329
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Books Unplugged
(Amherst, NY, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition. Seller Inventory # bk0823083322xvz189zvxnew

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 20.81
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peyser, Joan
Published by Billboard Books (1998)
ISBN 10: 0823083322 ISBN 13: 9780823083329
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Book Deals
(Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0823083322-new

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 20.82
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Joan Peyser
Published by Billboard Books (1998)
ISBN 10: 0823083322 ISBN 13: 9780823083329
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Ergodebooks
(Houston, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # DADAX0823083322

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 22.07
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds