Hi Everyone-

The fall book season is officially in full swing, and I'm continuing to use this space to chat up some current and forthcoming books about which I'm excited. This week I'd like to mention Peter Guralnick's forthcoming masterful biography of soul legend Sam Cooke, "Dream Boogie." I actually started hearing rumors that Gurnalnick was working on a Sam Cooke bio over a year ago, and I've been watching publishers' catalogues ever since, looking for it. Well, it's coming in November, and let me just say, it's worth the wait.

Cooke is the one of the few important figures of twentieth century music without a major biography, and it's hard to believe, because his life is so fascinating. I remember discovering his music in college and being amazed that the same person wrote and performed "Wonderful World," "Cupid," "You Send Me," "Twisting the Night Away," and many more great pop songs. I have always been particularly moved by his incredible song "A Change Is Gonna Come." If you try to make a pop song majestic, you'd better know what you're doing, and Cooke clearly did. The song Leaves you slack-jawed with wonder and admiration.

And the life is every bit as fascinating as the music. From Gurlanick's extensive portrayal of the world of gospel singing, form which Cooke came, to Cooke's passionate involvement with the Civil Rights movement (which puts "A Change is Gonna Come" into context), to the mysterious, disturbing, and tragic circumstances of his death, "Dream Boogie" is the story of an amazing life, amazingly told. We're featuring it as a Buyer's Choice at 20% off when it arrives, and it will also appear in our Holiday Gift Guide. Stop by and reserve a copy! Even better, come to The Lansburgh/Penn Quarter store on Tuesday, October 25, 7pm, when Peter Gurlanick will be discussing and signing his new book.

And if I've enticed you to check out the music, we have a great collection in stock: "Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964," covering all Cooke's hits, some of his early gospel work, and, of course, that rhapsodic "A Change is Gonna Come."

Hope all is well with you. I'll talk to you again soon.

Best Wishes,

-Joe Murphy, Head Book Buyer