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Title: A Salute to Irving Berlin
Genre: Biography
Author: Michael Freedland
This is the story of a great man and his music.  Irving Berlin was born in Siberia and taken to America by his parents at the age of four. The lyrics of his first song were scribbled on his cuff while he served beer to patrons on The Bowery in New York and he had his first big hit before he was twenty.  He went on to write magical tunes such as Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Easter Parade, There’s no Business like Show Business and White Christmas.  He revolutionsed the popular song and was decorated by his President for writing God Bless America. Yet the man who wrote 3000 songs has never learnt how to read a note of music or play a piano that hasn’t been fitted with a special lever that changes key for him automatically.  Irving Berlin has remained intense, shy and introspective, he has survived personal tragedy, fought snobbery, eloped with an heiress, tussled with moments of extreme depression, yet always remained what he essentially is, a great songwriter.                                                                                                                                                                      Large Hardcover ,  Published by Mackays of Chatham 1986. Very Good condition.