Listen to a sample
Bob Dylan
- Author
- Harry Freedman
- Narrator
- Todd Almond
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 22 May 2025
- Run Time
- 8 hours 13 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
From the day that Bobby Zimmerman first turned on the radio in his parents’ home in Hibbing, he’d had a pretty good idea that big things were happening, that old values were changing, that something new was on the way.
Bob Dylan arrived in New York one winter morning in 1961. His music and spirit would go on to capture the hearts and minds of a generation, but what no one knew then was that, like so many before him, Dylan was concealing his Jewish origins.
For Harry Freedman, Dylan’s roots are the key to grasping how this complete unknown burst onto the scene and reinvented not only himself, but popular music. The instinct for escape and reinvention has defined Dylan’s long career.
In this insightful biography Freedman traces the heady atmosphere of the 1960s and the folk-rock revolution spearheaded by Dylan. Right up until the moment in 1966 when Dylan stepped out onto the stage and went electric – exploring how his musical decisions, genius for reinvention and his Jewishness go inescapably hand in hand.
Critics Review
-
[Harry Freedman] scrupulously dissects the historical and cultural influences that shaped Bob Dylan’s music career. A meticulous exploration of one of America’s most influential musicians.
Publishers Weekly
-
Freedman provides a lively gloss on Dylan’s rise from unknown folk beacon to counterculture superstar…[Bob Dylan: Jewish Roots, American Soil] makes for fun reading.
Los Angeles Times
-
Freedman is able to richly conceptualize the impact of Dylan’s music and the context of his rise.
Associated Press
-
A comprehensive traversal of the folk-rock singer/songwriter’s early creative years. This title approaches Dylan from an intriguing perspective and demonstrates what made him unique and how he stood out from the crowd. This biography rewards Dylanists and those interested in the developing folk scene and cultural milieu of the 1960s.
Library Journal
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Harry Freedman
- Narrator
- Todd Almond
- Duration
- 8 hours 13 minutes
- Release Date
- 22 May 2025
- ISBN
- 9781399416269
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Biography: arts and entertainment, Musicians, singers, bands and groups, Composers and songwriters, Music reviews and criticism, Traditional and folk music, Judaism
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Bob Dylan: Jewish Roots, American Soil by Harry Freedman, read by Todd Almond From the day that Bobby Zimmerman first turned on the radio in his parents’ home in Hibbing, he’d had a pretty good idea that big things were happening, that old values were changing, that something new was on the way. Bob Dylan arrived in New York one winter morning in 1961. His music and spirit would go on to capture the hearts and minds of a generation, but what no one knew then was that, like so many before him, Dylan was concealing his Jewish origins. For Harry Freedman, Dylan’s roots are the key to grasping how this complete unknown burst onto the scene and reinvented not only himself, but popular music. The instinct for escape and reinvention has defined Dylan’s long career. In this insightful biography Freedman traces the heady atmosphere of the 1960s and the folk-rock revolution spearheaded by Dylan. Right up until the moment in 1966 when Dylan stepped out onto the stage and went electric – exploring how his musical decisions, genius for reinvention and his Jewishness go inescapably hand in hand.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.