The World of Bob Dylan

This book features 27 integrated essays that offer access to the art, life, and legacy of one of the world's most influential artists.

Sean Latham (Edited by)

9781108499514, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 May 2021

370 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.66 kg

'This is an excellent volume, and the different contributions are of a uniformly high standard. The range of aspects of Dylan studies covered is impressive.' Christopher Rollason, Dylan Review

Bob Dylan has helped transform music, literature, pop culture, and even politics. The World of Bob Dylan chronicles a lifetime of creative invention that has made a global impact. Leading rock and pop critics and music scholars address themes and topics central to Dylan's life and work: the Blues, his religious faith, Civil Rights, Gender, Race, and American and World literature. Incorporating a rich array of new archival material from never before accessed archives, The World of Bob Dylan offers a comprehensive, uniquely informed and wholly fresh account of the songwriter, artist, filmmaker, and Nobel Laureate whose unique voice has permanently reshaped our cultural landscape.

Introduction Sean Latham
I. Creative Life: 1. A Chronology of Bob Dylan's Life Kevin Dettmar and Sean Latham
2. The Biographies Andrew Muir
3. Songwriting Sean Latham 4. The Singles: A Playlist for Framing Dylan's Recording Art Keith Negus
II. Musical Contexts: 5. Folk Music Ronald D. Cohen
6. The Blues: 'Kill Everybody Ever Done Me Wrong' Greil Marcus
7. Gospel Music Gayle Wald
8. Country Music: Dylan, Cash, and the Projection of Authenticity Leigh H. Edwards
9. Rock Music Ira Wells
10. Roots Music: Born in a Basement Kim Ruehl
11. The Great American Songbook: 'Better Duck Down the [Tin Pan] Alley Way, Lookin' for a New Friend' Larry Starr
III. Cultural Contexts: 12. American Literature Florence Dore
13. World Literature Anne-Marie Mai
14. The Beats Steven Belletto
15. Theatre Damian A. Carpenter
16. Visual Arts: Goya's Kiss Raphael Falco
17. Borrowing Kevin Dettmar
18. Judaism: Saturnine Melancholy and Dylan's Jewish Gnosis Elliot R. Wolfson
19. Christianity: An Exegesis of Modern Times Andrew McCarron
IV. Political Contexts: 20. The Civil Rights Movement Will Kaufman
21. The Counterculture Michael J. Kramer
22. Gender and Sexuality: Bob Dylan's Body Ann Powers
23. Justice Lisa O'Neill-Sanders
V. Reception and Legacy: 24. The Bob Dylan Brand Devon Powers
25. The Nobel Prize: The Dramaturgy of Consecration James F. English
26. Stardom and Fandom David R. Shumway
27. The Bob Dylan Archive® Mark Davidson.

Subject Areas: Literary reference works [DSR], Literary studies: from c 1900 - [DSBH], Biography: arts & entertainment [BGF], Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH], 20th century & contemporary classical music [AVGC6]