Natural Selection: Gary Giddins on Comedy, Film, Music, and Books

Natural Selection compiles essays and reviews by cultural critic Gary Giddins, covering decades of his writing about comedy, film, music, and literature. The pieces come from various publications where Giddins contributed, including The Village Voice, The New York Times, and The New York Sun. The collection spans multiple genres and art forms, with sections devoted to musical legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, classic film directors and actors, influential comedians, and notable authors. Giddins examines both celebrated cultural touchstones and lesser-known works, providing context for their place in American arts and entertainment. Each piece combines reporting, criticism, and historical perspective as Giddins analyzes the creators and their output. The writing maintains focus on the cultural significance of the works while incorporating biographical elements and behind-the-scenes details. Through these collected writings, Giddins traces the evolution of American popular culture while making connections across different artistic mediums and time periods. His analysis reveals patterns in how art forms influence each other and reflect broader societal shifts.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Gary Giddins's overall work: Readers praise Giddins' deep research and ability to explain jazz concepts to non-musicians. His Bing Crosby biographies receive particular attention for their detail - one Amazon reader noted "the level of research is staggering, yet the narrative flows smoothly." Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of musical techniques - Historical context and cultural connections - Balanced perspective on artists - Readable prose style for complex topics Common criticisms: - Sometimes too detailed for casual readers - Dense writing can be challenging - High level of musical knowledge assumed - Some find the pacing slow Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Bing Crosby: Pocketful of Dreams - 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) - Visions of Jazz - 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Amazon: - Bing Crosby biographies average 4.5/5 (300+ reviews) - Weather Bird averages 4.3/5 (50+ reviews) Multiple readers cite his work as thorough but requiring focus and commitment. As one Goodreads reviewer stated: "Not for casual reading, but worth the effort for serious music fans."

The Great Movie Critics by Phillip Lopate A collection of film criticism spans the history of cinema through multiple critical voices and perspectives examining movies, directors, and cultural impact.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind The transformation of Hollywood from 1967 to 1980 unfolds through interweaving narratives of filmmakers, actors, and industry figures who revolutionized American cinema.

For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies by Pauline Kael Film criticism from The New Yorker's prominent voice presents reviews and essays that chronicle the evolution of cinema from the 1960s through the 1990s.

The Essential Groucho by Stefan Kanfer The cultural impact of comedy and entertainment emerges through letters, scripts, and writings that reveal the mind behind Marx Brothers' humor.

Notes on Camp by Susan Sontag Essays examine popular culture, art, and entertainment through a critical lens that connects high and low cultural expressions.

🎬 Gary Giddins developed his keen eye for cultural criticism during his 30-year tenure as the jazz columnist for The Village Voice, where he won a National Book Critics Circle Award for his work. 📚 The book collects essays written between 1994 and 2008, offering commentary on diverse subjects from Charlie Chaplin and W.C. Fields to Marlon Brando and Groucho Marx. 🎭 Despite its broad scope covering comedy, film, music, and literature, the collection maintains a cohesive thread by examining how these art forms reflect and shape American popular culture. 🎯 Giddins coined the term "neo-swing" in the 1990s to describe the revival of swing music and dance, demonstrating his influence on cultural discourse beyond just criticism. 🏆 The author's previous works on jazz have earned him multiple awards, including a Peabody Award for his contribution to Ken Burns' documentary series "Jazz," informing his cultural analysis in this collection.