Destined to become one of the enduring jazz reference works.-The Philadelphia Inquirer
The definitive account of Armstrong's life. Collier is a tough, unblinkered critic.-The Washington Post
By far the most thoughtful and articulate study to date of a much misunderstood titan of jazz.-The Nation
A masterful critical biography-sophisticated in its contexts, shrewd yet sympathetic, rich in its supporting cast...and splendidly conscientious in the delicate balance between character and culture.-Kirkus Reviews
The most comprehensive account yet of the man who all but invented swing.-Newsweek
One of the most important jazz studies in recent years.-Callaloo
An excellent introduction to the real 'Satchmo.'-History Book Review
It could be a long time before we are given a more detailed, comprehensive, perceptive, and human portrait of the great Satchmo.-Jervis Anderson, The New Republic
Only with the publication of James Lincoln Collier's biography is a truly comprehensive critical study of Armstrong available. And a splendid one it is....Distinguished by sound logic, a generous breadth of understanding of music and people, and a writing style that is a model of clarity, economy, and grace....Collier's book joins that select group of biographies of Americans in the arts whose representatives are in themselves admirable works of art.-American Music
Splendid....Distinguished by sound logic, a generous breadth of understanding of music and people, and a writing style that is a model of clarity, economy, and grace....Collier's book joins the select group of biographies of Americans in the arts whose representatives are in themselves admirable works of art.-American Music
A superb book....It is thoughtful, intelligent, informative, provocative, and comprehensive.-Stephen L. Stone, University of Oregon
This comprehensive, well-researched, highly readable biography deftly separates fact from myth in telling the rags-to-riches saga of Armstrong's life.-The Christian Science Monitor
A detailed, provocative, intellectually stimulating, and skillfully written account-in fact, one of the most engrossing biographies of a jazz musician ever written.-Down Beat
Impeccable scholarship, razor-sharp musical analysis, and lively, vibrant prose are the hallmarks of this groundbreaking biography of an American jazz legend.-Booklist