Al Jolson - (Bio-Bibliographies in the Performing Arts) Annotated by James Fisher (Hardcover)

About the Book

From the early days of his stage career in the decades before World War I through his unparalleled comeback after World War II, Al Jolson was billed as The World's Greatest Entertainer. This book provides an insightful sketch of Jolson's life and a comprehensive record of his extensive career. The volume begins with a biography which discusses the factors that shaped Jolson's development as a performer. A chronology of the chief events in his life follows. Chapters are then devoted to his stage, film, recording, and broadcast career. Each of these chapters contains annotated entries for Jolson's performances. A bibliography follows, with entries for books, periodicals, and newspaper articles. Appendices list stage shows based on Jolson's life, along with newsreels, cartoons, awards, and endorsements related to his career. Name and title indexes conclude the work and add to its reference value.

Book Synopsis

From the early days of his stage career in the decades before World War I through his unparalleled comeback after World War II, Al Jolson was billed as The World's Greatest Entertainer. This book provides an insightful sketch of Jolson's life and a comprehensive record of his extensive career. The volume begins with a biography which discusses the factors that shaped Jolson's development as a performer. A chronology of the chief events in his life follows. Chapters are then devoted to his stage, film, recording, and broadcast career. Each of these chapters contains annotated entries for Jolson's performances. A bibliography follows, with entries for books, periodicals, and newspaper articles. Appendices list stage shows based on Jolson's life, along with newsreels, cartoons, awards, and endorsements related to his career. Name and title indexes conclude the work and add to its reference value.

Review Quotes

.,."a handy one-volume encapsulation of Jolson's many achievements. It will be a useful research tool for both the entertainer's fans and show business scholars."-Show Music

.,."Fisher's comprehensive, scholarly, well crafted, and insightful book is the standard against which all other works should be measured. It is a highly recommended classic which evey academic and public library should acquire."-Music Reference Services Quarterly

?...a handy one-volume encapsulation of Jolson's many achievements. It will be a useful research tool for both the entertainer's fans and show business scholars.?-Show Music

?...Fisher's comprehensive, scholarly, well crafted, and insightful book is the standard against which all other works should be measured. It is a highly recommended classic which evey academic and public library should acquire.?-Music Reference Services Quarterly

..."a handy one-volume encapsulation of Jolson's many achievements. It will be a useful research tool for both the entertainer's fans and show business scholars."-Show Music

..."Fisher's comprehensive, scholarly, well crafted, and insightful book is the standard against which all other works should be measured. It is a highly recommended classic which evey academic and public library should acquire."-Music Reference Services Quarterly

About the Author

JAMES FISHER is Associate Professor of Theater at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. He has written several books and a play. His many articles have appeared in journals such as Modern Drama, Soviet and Eastern European Performance, New England Theatre Journal, and The Drama Review. In addition, he has directed or acted in more than 200 performances, and is the book review editor for the Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism.