Excellent and detailed biography for those who are really interested in Bing Crosby.
Doreen O. (dolver) -
Packed full of information about his family -generations before he was born-, his life and sometimes even history about those surrounding his life ..... BUT it read like a Textbook. Great if you need info on him, not so great if you just wanted an enjoyable biography.
Leo T. reviewed Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams-the Early Years, 1903-1940 on + 1775 more book reviews
A very complete and well-researched biography--endless details! Mr. Giddens, with previous books in this genre, was able to hire research assistance and thus interview a great many people who were part of the story. He read the fan club magazines, saw film, read unpublished plays, saw Bing's kinfolk, and followed up endlessly. He was good to his parents, hosting them when he hit it big in Hollywood--his mom loved the race tracks.
Bob Hope became a good friend and helped Bing find his persona for the Road films. ""As one Spokane classmate remarked to a reporter in the 1940s, the road pictures unleashed the Bing he knew as a kid."
Bing's talent and popularity carried Decca when it launched. [My dad had trouble finding work after graduating high school in 1935 but worked for Decca (calling on record stores from Portland) before the war and for Capitol after the war. Mr. Giddens gives a succinct description of Decca and notes that sales of records for use in juke boxes was a major source of revenue. [After Capitol, Dad worked for Johnny Welch in the jukebox business until recalled for the Korean War in 1952).
I am going to put the book on the truck in the lobby of the VA Hospital where it will find a reader within the hour. In the summer of 1955, when I was eight years old, we visited Crosby House in Tumwater. Bing never lived there, but it was owned and maintained by The Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington. My grandmother, a member (members or their forbears lived in Washington during territorial days) mentioned that they hoped to hit Bingo up for some funds. Mr. Giddens says Bing gave them $1800 when they got the house in 1949.
Discography, index, interviews and bibliography, and excellent endnotes that include explanations, especially of connections.
Bob Hope became a good friend and helped Bing find his persona for the Road films. ""As one Spokane classmate remarked to a reporter in the 1940s, the road pictures unleashed the Bing he knew as a kid."
Bing's talent and popularity carried Decca when it launched. [My dad had trouble finding work after graduating high school in 1935 but worked for Decca (calling on record stores from Portland) before the war and for Capitol after the war. Mr. Giddens gives a succinct description of Decca and notes that sales of records for use in juke boxes was a major source of revenue. [After Capitol, Dad worked for Johnny Welch in the jukebox business until recalled for the Korean War in 1952).
I am going to put the book on the truck in the lobby of the VA Hospital where it will find a reader within the hour. In the summer of 1955, when I was eight years old, we visited Crosby House in Tumwater. Bing never lived there, but it was owned and maintained by The Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington. My grandmother, a member (members or their forbears lived in Washington during territorial days) mentioned that they hoped to hit Bingo up for some funds. Mr. Giddens says Bing gave them $1800 when they got the house in 1949.
Discography, index, interviews and bibliography, and excellent endnotes that include explanations, especially of connections.
Jon M. (musicmaven) reviewed Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams-the Early Years, 1903-1940 on + 13 more book reviews
A little more than half way thru this tome, but far enough in to form opinions. Giddins has researched his subject well (with voluminous footnotes), of that there's no doubt. I've learned quite a bit about Crosby from it that's been surprising, thoughtful, and eyebrow raising. But it seems clear that Giddins has also written this thing with an eye toward impressing his audience with his own erudition. Lots of $5 words that don't seem to enhance the telling of Bing's story that much. Alternatively, Giddins seems to use certain words obsessively, e.g., "mordent" (quick alteration of principal tone with tone just below it). I didn't count, but it seems like I've read the word a hundred times already. I knew that Giddins had written other musical bios and I thought I wanted to read them, but after reading this, I don't think I could endure them. Wish Giddins had just told Bing's story without the over-emphasis and studiousness, which is great when scholars talk to one another, but I'd imagine most of 'this' audience will not be in that category. Worthwhile, but rather tedious, too.
