In the twentieth century, African Americans not only helped make popular music the soundtrack of the American experience, they advanced American music as one of the preeminent shapers of the world's popular culture. Vast numbers of black American musicians deserve credit for this remarkable turn of events, but a few stand out as true giants. David Stricklin's superb new biography explores the life of one of them, Louis Armstrong. Mr. Stricklin concentrates on Armstrong's musical talent, something many observers called a thing of genius. But he also pays special attention to Armstrong's identity a black man in America and the ways in which he triumphed over the mistreatment and disrespect dealt countless people like him.

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Humble Origins
Chapter 2: A Rising Talent
Chapter 3: Hot Music in a Strange Time
Chapter 4: An Independent Musician
Chapter 5: Fully Free African American
Chapter 6: Looking to a New Future
Chapter 7: International Icon
Chapter 8: The Soundtrack of the American Experience

David Stricklin is professor of history and head of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. With Bill C. Malone, he has also written Southern Music/American Music. He lives in Little Rock, AK.