BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE PROMISE OF ROCK N' ROLL

Smart and incisive, this unique book takes us through Bruce Springsteen’s life by tracing the cultural, political, and biographical forces that shaped his music.

Beyond his constant stylistic adaptations, Springsteen developed over the decades from expressing the voice of a guy from working-class New Jersey, to writing about the larger issues facing the country including war, class disparity, and prejudice. Marc Dolan draws on a range of new and little-known sources—including hundreds of unreleased studio recordings and bootlegs of live performances—making this an indispensible reference for avid Springsteen fans as well as those interested in learning the stories behind his music. Marc Dolan is Associate Professor of English, American Studies, and Film Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, and at the CUNY Graduate Center. He lives in Brooklyn.