10 Best Western Music History Books in 2022 (Shea Serrano, Alex Ross, and More)

This New York Times bestseller will take you on a journey through the history of rap music from its birth in 1979 up to the present. Shea Serrano deconstructs and discusses the most important rap song from each year, examining important moments in rap history and culture in a way that's engaging and often hilarious.

Delve into the artists' backgrounds, issues of race, the rise of hip-hop, and the clashes among the genre's biggest players on both coasts. The book also includes infographics, lyric maps, portraits, and short essays by other prominent music writers to add context and bring rap's vibrant history to life.

Some reviewers disagreed with the author's picks for the most important songs of each year. Others weren't fans of the author's tone or personality. Some others found the book to contain basic information and said that they were looking for something more in-depth.

However, most reviewers gave this book five stars. They thought the writing was funny and informative and loved the combination of facts, anecdotes, and footnotes. They liked the author's playful tone and found that it invited them to think more deeply about rap and its history. 

Dive into the music of the twentieth century with Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker. In a sweeping narrative, he explores the interplay between history and culture, from pre-war Vienna to Hitler's Germany to downtown New York in the sixties and seventies. 

With vivid imagery and thrilling language, Ross illuminates the lives of some of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century, drawing connections between their achievements and the larger cultural and political movements of the time. And if you need more convincing, this book has appeared on multiple book lists.

Some reviewers found the tone of this book to be too academic for the average music listener. Others didn't like that much of the writing was based on the author's personal opinion: more music criticism than music history. Some reviewers were also disappointed that the book glossed over some larger composers.

However, the reviewers that liked this book thoroughly enjoyed it. They said that while it required some patience and some knowledge of music theory, it ended up being a rewarding and enriching read. Overall, reviewers found this book broadened their knowledge of twentieth-century music and made them excited to learn more.

Pop music has a rich and varied history, beginning in the 1950s with the age of rock 'n' roll. In Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! musician and music critic Bob Stanley takes us back to pop's inception and explores its evolution as it worms its way into the hearts and minds of music-lovers everywhere.

Stanley begins by looking at rock 'n' roll's youthful glee, then moves through doo-wop, British rock, American folk, psychedelic, R&B, punk, hip-hop, indie, techno, and more. He connects the dots between pop movements, artists, and songs in fresh ways, giving new perspective to one of the most beloved (and reviled) genres.

Some reviewers disliked this book, saying that the writing felt disjointed. Others weren't fans of the author's tone. Some reviewers felt that there was too much opinion and not enough history, while others said that the author got some of his facts wrong. Some complained that there was too much focus on British bands.

However, most reviewers thought this was a thorough and thoroughly entertaining survey of pop music in the late twentieth century. They enjoyed the coverage of both British and American music. And while they didn't always agree with the author's opinions, they found it to be a great jumping-off point for their own discussions.

Motown Records was founded in Detroit in 1959 and went on to become the most successful soul music label in the world, achieving 79 top 10 Billboard records between 1960 and 1969. Not only was Motown commercially successful, but it also created a cultural movement that redefined race and pop music in America.

Motown: The Sound of Young America takes us on a visual tour of the label's history, through old photographs, images of archived treasures, illustrations, and interviews with key players like Smokey Robinson, members of the Supremes, and Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Co-authored by Barney Ales, Gordy's right-hand man, this book is a comprehensive celebration of a label, genre, and cultural institution. But some reviewers were disappointed with the written content, saying that it comprised less than half the book. Others didn't like that it focused on the business and politics of the music.

However, the majority of reviewers loved reading an insider's view of Motown's and rise to fame. They said the behind-the-scenes stories were riveting and the colorful images helped bring it to life. This book not only looks good on a coffee table, but it's also an entertaining read that will give you a greater appreciation for Motown.

World-renowned rock photographer Mark "Weissguy" Weiss got his start as a teenager, sneaking into concerts with a 35-millimeter camera. He would go on to photograph the likes of Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, KISS, and more, capturing these rockstars both on stage and behind-the-scenes.

The Decade That Rocked is a unique journey through the golden age of rock told through Mark's photographs and anecdotes, as well as interviews with musicians like Dee Snider and Nikki Sixx. With over 700 photographs, it's a monument to the legacy of rock, and a privileged look into the interior lives of those who made it happen.

The reviews for this book were overwhelmingly positive. Reviewers praised everything from the quality of the book's construction to the rare photographs of rock and metal legends. Fans loved the chance to get a glimpse into the lives of their idols and said this book perfectly captures the heart, soul, and spirit of the era.

Have you heard of the ballet that sparked a riot? Do you know about the controversy behind "Mary Had a Little Lamb"? What about the man killed by his own conducting? The Greatest Music Stories Never Told will give you all of the tantalizing details about music history you never even knew you wanted.

Rick Beyer, the author of the History Channel series The Greatest Stories Never Told, explores 100 lesser-known music history stories from tales of genius to lurid scandals. Music buffs and casual music fans alike are bound to learn something new and surprising.

Some reviewers didn't like the book's stories, saying they were trite or too short, but most reviewers thought it was interesting and entertaining. Music lovers of all ages enjoyed the anecdotes and said they made great conversation starters. The book covers a variety of time periods and genres, so there's something for everyone!

Whether you're a casual listener or a jazz aficionado, this book is bound to teach you something new. Ted Gioia traces the story of jazz starting from its inception and follows it as it spreads across the United States from the swamplands of the Mississippi Delta to the rent parties of Harlem to the speakeasies of Chicago. 

Gioia provides vibrant, well-researched profiles of jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Stan Getz, and Dizzy Gillespie. He explores their key performances and styles, as well as provides insight into the social context of their music. All of this is done in a poetic language that is as beautiful and playful as the music it describes. 

Some reviewers found the writing style to be cumbersome, saying it was too academic for their liking. Other reviewers said that there were too many names listed, without enough details written about each performer.

However, most reviewers had high praise for this book. They said it was exceptionally well-written and researched, and found it to be extremely comprehensive. Both jazz newbies and long-time jazz fans enjoyed the author's writing style, and many said that it wasn't necessary to know much about jazz in order to enjoy this book.

While The Vintage Guide to Classical Music may itself be considered vintage (it was published in 1992!) it remains a spirited and comprehensive guide to over 500 years of classical music, from Gregorian chants to John Cage. 

The book features chronologically arranged essays on nearly 100 composers, combining biographical facts with analyses of their works and the larger social, political, and cultural contexts. It also contains sidebars to help clarify topics, a glossary of musical terms, and a step-by-step guide to building your own classical music library.

Some reviewers said this book was dense and may be difficult to understand without some musical education. However, most reviewers found this to be a fantastic reference book for both new and seasoned classical music listeners. 

Fans of the book praised the author's evocative and entertaining writing style, saying that while he is definitely opinionated, he still leaves room for the reader to explore their own tastes. And they appreciated that the author included recommendations on pieces to listen to by each composer.

Immerse yourself in the history of punk as told by those who lived it in Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. Co-authored by Legs McNeil, founder of Punk magazine, and poet Gillian McCain, the book explores this volatile and visceral period of music history. 

The book is comprised of excerpts from hundreds of interviews with punk icons edited to create a rowdy, rude, and hilarious insider's view of punk music. Rather than focusing on music theory or criticism, it takes readers inside the lives and minds of those who lived during this era of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll and survived to tell the tale.

Some reviewers didn't like the subject of this book, saying that there was too much focus on debauchery and gossip and not enough focus on the music. Others found the stories of drug use (and subsequent deaths) to be upsetting. Some weren't fans of the oral history format. A couple of reviewers received misprinted copies.

However, the majority of reviewers had high praise for this book, saying that it was insightful, informative, and fascinating. They loved hearing the uncensored personal anecdotes of the musicians who lived through this era, including the good, the bad, and the ugly, and said this book perfectly encapsulates the spirit of punk.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Jon Meacham and country music superstar Tim McGraw join forces to take readers on a journey through America's musical past. They explore the music that's shaped this country from "The Star-Spangled Banner" to "Born in the U.S.A." delving into the stories of each song and its historical context.

They examine the music of major moments in American history, from the battle hymns of the revolution to the two World Wars, through the civil rights movement, and into the present. And they explore some of America's most beloved musicians, including Sam Cooke, Duke Ellington, Carole King, and more.

Some reviewers thought that this book was too heavy on the history and too light on the music, saying that there was a lot of Meacham and not much McGraw. Some were disappointed that the song lyrics were included without any musical notation, and others because there was no accompanying CD.

However, most reviewers found this book to be a well-written exploration of the role of music in American history. They appreciated how the authors used music as a way to further understand America's political, social, and emotional states at various points in time.