How Women Made Music - by Inc National Public Radio & Alison Fensterstock (Hardcover)

About the Book

Turning the Tables, launched in 2017, has revolutionized recognition of female artists, whether it be in best album lists or in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This volume brings this impressive reshaping to the page and includes material from more than fifty years of NPR's coverage plus newly commissioned work. A must-have for music fans, songwriters, feminist historians, and those interested in how artists think and work, including information on Joan Baez, Dolly Parton, Patti Smith, Nina Simone, Taylor Swift, Odetta, and others"--

Book Synopsis

Drawn from NPR Music's acclaimed, groundbreaking series Turning the Tables, the definitive book on the vital role of Women in Music--from Beyoncé to Odetta, Taylor Swift to Joan Baez, Joan Jett to Dolly Parton--featuring archival interviews, essays, photographs, and illustrations.

Turning the Tables, launched in 2017, has revolutionized recognition of female artists, whether it be in best album lists or in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music brings this impressive reshaping to the page and includes material from more than fifty years of NPR's coverage plus newly commissioned work. A must-have for music fans, songwriters, feminist historians, and those interested in how artists think and work, including:

Joan Baez talking about nonviolence as a musical principle in 1971Dolly Parton's favorite song and the story behind it Patti Smith describing art as her "jealous mistress" in 1974Nina Simone, in 2001, explaining how she developed the edge in her voice as a tool against racismTaylor Swift talking about when she had no idea if her musical career might workOdetta on how shifting from classical music to folk allowed her to express her fury over Jim Crow

This incomparable hardcover volume is a vital record of history destined to become a classic and a great gift for any music fan or creative thinker.

Review Quotes

"Spanning from Joan Baez to Rihanna, the collection captures the varied ways women have innovated the American musical landscape, in the process powerfully giving due to music as a cultural artifact, a public artistic expression, and a site of personal meaning. It's a buoyant, welcome ode to some of the most influential songstresses of the 20th and 21st centuries." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Almost every reader is likely to find a host of new names to check out... An indispensable survey of the too-often neglected role of women in creating the music we all listen to." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"The project endeavors to correct the persistent marginalization of women and nonbinary artists in the music world... Full of photographs and other visuals, this is not a book on women in music; it is the book on women in music." -- Booklist (starred review)

"Essential, definitive reading for anyone who listens to music or cares about women -- which is, in short, everyone. Simply put, I wanted this book not to end." -- Sheila Weller, bestselling author of Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and the Journey of a Generation.

"Just reading this made me want to dance! A reminder that women have built many revolutions, credited or not, and we will continue to revolt, innovate, and shine." -- Lindy West, author of Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman

"Somehow both appropriately broad and perfectly detailed, a beautiful, easily digestible book.... Also guess what, you don't have to be a woman to enjoy it!" - -- Yasi Salek, host of Bandsplain and 24 Question Party People

"If what neuroscientists tell us is true, that music is a social/emotion-delivery device...truly a woman's voice, words, rhythms, and melodies are best adapted to express what it feels like to be a human. This welcome book taps us on the back to remind us of the many underappreciated musicians whose work found its way into our own self images." -- Susan Rogers, legendary producer, neuroscientist, and author of This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You

"HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC: A REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY is a rich harmony of different writers paying homage to some of the greatest musicians of our time....It will change the way you experience their music forever." -- Liz Garbus, documentary film director and producer of What Happened, Miss Simone? and Harry & Meghan

"With the rabble-rousing How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music, Alison Fensterstock has assembled a Turning the Tables greatest-hits compilation, with bonus tracks culled from half a century of NPR chatter with tuneful women." -- Shelf Awareness

"An epic history of the women who shaped popular music... The vibrant production is further enhanced with 55 audio excerpts from luminaries such as Joan Baez and Alicia Keys, who describe their creative process, key works, and musical journey." -- Library Journal