Synopses & Reviews
andldquo;We Shall Overcomeandrdquo; isnandrsquo;t a complicated piece of music. The first verse has only twenty-two words, most of them repeated. The melody is straightforward. The chords are basic. Yet the song has had a profound effect on people throughout the United Statesandmdash;and the world.
and#160;In clear, accessible language Stuart Stotts explores the roots of the tune and the lyrics in traditional African music and Christian hymns. He demonstrates the key role andldquo;We Shall Overcomeandrdquo; played in the civil rights, labor, and anti-war movements in America. And he traces the songandrsquo;s transformation into an international anthem. With its dramatic stories and memorable quotes, this saga of a famous piece of music offers a unique way of looking at social history.
Authorandrsquo;s note, bibliography, source notes, index.
Review
"From the informative black-and-white photographs to the solid back matter to the CD sung by Pete Seeger, it is a complete package."and#8212;Booklist
and#160;"A fitting celebration of a song that has helped to create a better world."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews "A thoughtful examination of a song that, as Stotts writes, 'seems to tap into our deepest emotions.'and#8212;Publishers Weekly
About the Author
and#147;We Shall Overcomeand#8221; isnand#8217;t a complicated piece of music. The first verse has only twenty-two words, most of them repeated. The melody is straightforward. The chords are basic. Yet the song has had a profound effect on people throughout the United Statesand#151;and the world.
and#160;In clear, accessible language Stuart Stotts explores the roots of the tune and the lyrics in traditional African music and Christian hymns. He demonstrates the key role and#147;We Shall Overcomeand#8221; played in the civil rights, labor, and anti-war movements in America. And he traces the songand#8217;s transformation into an international anthem. With its dramatic stories and memorable quotes, this saga of a famous piece of music offers a unique way of looking at social history.
Authorand#8217;s note, bibliography, source notes, index.
"From the informative black-and-white photographs to the solid back matter to the CD sung by Pete Seeger, it is a complete package."and#8212;Booklist
and#160;"A fitting celebration of a song that has helped to create a better world."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews"A thoughtful examination of a song that, as Stotts writes, 'seems to tap into our deepest emotions.'and#8212;Publishers WeeklyStuart Stotts is a singer, songwriter, storyteller, and author. He performs regularly throughout the Midwest and is a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops for teachers, parents, and librarians. This is his Clarion Books debut; his three previous books focus on Wisconsin lore and history. He and his family live just outside Madison, Wisconsin.
Terrance Cummings is an award winning illustrator, an art director, and a former teacher at Parsons School of Design. He has illustrated several books and has a studio in New Jersey where he lives with his wife and two sons.