Bing Crosby: Swinging on a Star: The War Years, 1940-1946

I'm so glad Mr. Giddins followed up "Pocketful Of Dreams" with this thorough and honest account of Bing Crosby during the war years. Thanks to this author, Bing's musical contributions to 20th century popular and jazz music can be much more deeply appreciated. Being raised on the jazz and popular music of the 60s and 70s, I never really appreciated Bing's contribution until much later in life. Now, I think a case could be made to say that he is among only a handful of vocalists whose musical innovations shaped the way we present popular song today. Gary Giddins has a deep understanding of music and articulates it so well that our appreciation and understanding of this artist are greatly enhanced. Those who are interested in the history of popular music will likely enjoy this very readable book. I'm very grateful to the author for writing this book.

This is a detailed study of a great singer showing all his good points as well as pointing out his flaws but I feel that overall my admiration for Crosby has increased by reading this masterwork by Gary Giddins.

Once again Gary Giddins has chronicled the life of the first multi media star and beloved American icon in the second volume of Bing Crosby’s life. I ordered many copies as gifts and read all 700 plus pages in two days. As a follow up to “Pocket Full of Dreams” this volume covers the years 1940 to 1946 and it lacks nothing. The details are so well written and Giddins visual style of writing brings Bing and the people of these critical times to life. Giddins has spent most of his life chronicling popular music and his attention to detail, his investigative powers in debunking myths and his appreciation for Bing and willingness to reveal his flaws, if there were any, is honest and revealing. Anything this author says I am willing to believe. I knew Bing but he was a private and reserved man and this seemed to increase as did his fame. In those last years I recall how he would look straight ahead making his way to the car to be driven home while literally thousands of golf enthusiasts crowded him at Pebble Beach. After decades upon decades of signing autographs and shaking hands he was just so tired that day. Most who really knew him during the war years are gone but Giddins worked on this book for more than a decade and beyond. The interviews, letters and other resources he used all come to light in this excellent book. A difficult marriage where so little was known about alcoholism, the birth of recorded radio programs versus live broadcasts in which Bing was a pioneer and the many tours to support our troops. All this and the immense volume of music he recorded and classic films he made are all here. It’s a great and honest book. Many of us had believed that the second family should and could have done more to preserve Bing’s legacy as soon as he passed away in 77 and maybe help debunk Gary Crosby’s alcohol infused negative “Mommie Dearest” hatchet job book that he later recanted ——yet that ugly book and the lies forever hurt Bing’s memory and Gary Giddins tells the real story, warts and all, about Bing as only he can.Gary Giddins gets it. And his understanding of how Crosby and Louis Armstrong were essentially the two performers most responsible for taking popular American music into a new age is done with facts and not myths. I strongly recommend anyone interested in popular music or this amazing man who affected so much of American culture during the “war years” to buy this book! It’s simply exceptional!Bing Crosby was a part of the American life and during the war his words carried weight to his 50 million weekly radio listeners. He never abused his ability to sway public opinion and he made himself into our neighbor and friend. Many of today’s entertainers could learn a lot from Bing’s manner and style and the fact that he gave as much as he took and to me that a great score card. The troops loved him and I know he cared for them sincerely!

Great book, well written, nice hardback.

This book was well written, smoothly paced, detailed and exhaustively researched. Gary Giddens creates an insightful portrait that is both balanced and fair. He shows a Crosby who remains remarkable but very human.