God Bless America

A rich overview of popular songs during the early 1940s.

~Choice

Complete with a marvelous discography and rare sheet music photographs, God Bless America captures the temperament of a people that faithfully believed Les Brown when he tapped his baton, smiled at the audience, and promised that their dreams were betting better all the time.

~Film & History

Smith has written an interesting and useful book, one that raises a number of important issues and illuminates many of them.

~International History Review

Smith endeavors to explain why no memorable song came forth in the 1940s.

~Journal of American History

Smith discusses the role music played in American society following Pearl Harbor and examines the similarities between that time and the tragedies the nation has most recently faced.

~McCormick (SC) Messenger

Explores the structure and influence of Tin Pan Alley on American popular music as well as the intersection of government and culture.

~Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

A well written book with absolutely none of the glossy enthusiasms that nearly always burden books about jazz, Swing, musicians, and the followers of popular music.... This is an interestingly written book, pulling no punches in order to soft peddle the rather gritty history of the war years.

~Frank F. Mathias

Of the utmost significance because it develops a conflict of opposing interests between official Washington and the American people. The author knows her subject matter, its authorities, and the significance of all. It is a must for libraries, as a reference tool, and for aficionados.... [W]ell written, clear, clever, informative and interesting.

~Ray Browne

This fascinating history looks at how radio and the music business geared up for total war, and how the government unnecessarily invented a committee to solve a problem that didn't exist.

~WTBF Radio