Louis Armstrong, In His Own Words: Selected Writings

Students at our high school have an assignment to read a memoir. This book fits the bill. Great addition to our collection.

Like the jazz he played, Armstrong's words are lyrical and poetic. I got into the rhythm of the words and it made me feel as if he were talking to me personally, telling me his story. A must read for fans of Louis Armstrong.

Expensive book. Annotated to the max. I bought it because I wanted to read L.A.'s thoughts myself. Very glad he made the effort to write down his own memories. Thank you, Louis Armstrong.

Another great book....

Of the 21 books I have collected which are either by or about Louis Armstrong, this is definitely the one I would choose if I was allowed to keep only one. Basically a collection of autobiographical pieces, interviews, letters and so on, it reveals more of Armstrong as a man than all the other books put together. It also proves that, just as Armstrong had his own unique voice as a musician, so he has virtually invented his own language when doing his "typing" as he modestly called it. Grammar and punctation have been used this way nowhere else. Particularly moving are Armstrong's lengthy reminiscences of his early life in New Orleans, Chicago and elsewhere. Yes, his childhood was severely deprived but he recalls it not just without self-pity but with a kind of joy - joy in his family, in the friends who helped him along the way and, of course, his discovery of his own innate talent for both playing and singing. The book is filled with affectionate pen-portraits, as well as sharp social comment and, at times, with indignation at the injustices of life, whether suffered by himself or others. Equally moving are the pieces written when his life was nearing its end yet still exuding that same extraordinary open-ness and generosity of spirit which are humbling to experience. If anyone wants to know what Louis was like, and if they can take a little time to tune in to his vivid and utterly unself-conscious style, this is the book they should read.

Satch fans will find a whole lot more to our hero than we knew before. For one thing,his 1954 bio was severely edited and we get some of the raw stuff here. Satch wrote as eloquently (and uniquely) as he sang. He does not hold back on his views of race (see "Louis Armstrong and the Jewish Family" (1970) which may shock some people and outrage others, as is true with almost everything else here. He holds forth on his love of "Swiss Kriss" and its after effects and delivers a heartfelt letter to a fan in Vietnam closing with the lyrics of "You'll Never Walk Alone." Would be nice if the complete unedited documents were here in a multivolume series,but this will suffice. Swiss Krissly yours.

Interesting glimpse into the personal life of famous "Satchmo". In some chapters, perhaps more than I was interested in knowing. Found the first chapter especially of interest to me.

サッチモの自伝・雑誌への寄稿・友人への手紙、などを編集したもの。 ちょっと専門的で読みにくい。 けど、最晩年の文章も読めてうれしかった。 サッチモは文章までスイングしてる。 雑誌「タイム」が「若者へアドバイスを」と、いろんな有名人に公開文書を書いてもらったところ、 他の人々は「こうしろ」「ああしろ」「近頃の若者は」ウンヌン と書いていたのに、 サッチモは（なんと）自分の経歴を語りだす・・・。 「僕はこんな風にやってきたよ」と。 ・・・・これ、いい話やと思うねん。ぼくは。

Dr. Brothers is a highly respected musicologist and - an acknowledged expert on Louis - especially his early years and the development of his music. This is an absolute must-read for the devoted fan, broadening the generally-accepted portrait of Louis in many respects. The author opens every autobiographical entry by Louis with very carefully thought-out and insightful prefatory remarks. After all, Louis would have been 112 last year and one would think there is not much new that could be said about him. Not so. Indeed, the author has another book about Louis coming out very soon this year, every one of which is worth adding to one's collection.

Excellent read. An extensive writer, diarist and biographer, Gives a wonderful insight into the life of a working musician of the time.