Romancing the Folk

Benjamin Filene is associate professor and director of public history at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

"A learned and lively look at the development of our national music. Much of the territory covered here is overlooked in books on folk music." -- Library Journal "An important work that accurately places the idea of 'folk' and 'roots' music into a realistic context. While copiously documented and thoroughly researched, this is no stuffy academic tract. Rather, Filene's engaging style makes this a book that will be eagerly devoured by anyone with an interest in the development of American popular music." -- Creative Loafing "Benjamin Filene's fascinating study of the emergence of the idea of an American 'roots music, ' and the canonization of its iconic performers, is a lively and engaging contribution to this literature. . . . Appalachian scholars will enjoy discussions that range from the pioneering ballad collecting of Francis James Child and Cecil Sharp to the recent role of Archie Green in the creation of the Smithsonian's American Folklife Center and the NEH's Folk Arts Program." -- Journal of Appalachian Studies "A fascinating history of the shifting notions of what constitutes American folk music. . . . The folklorists, academics, bureaucrats and entrepreneurs who dominate [this] story are colorful characters, and they are joined by artists who inspire Filene to critical heights few historians approach." -- New York Times Book Review "An engaging analysis of the varied interpretations of roots or vernacular music in the 20th century." -- CHOICE "Filene's book is smart and careful and should gain a wide audience."--Journal of American History