The definitive look at The Boss and how his music has both shaped and confronted American mythology

Emerging on the music scene with 1973's "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.," Bruce Springsteen was heralded as "the future of rock and roll," and since then his influence and popularity have exploded. Rob Kirkpatrick's "Magic in the Night" uses Springsteen's biography as a lens through which listeners can reevaluate his music as he morphs from "the next Bob Dylan" to a Reagan-era pop culture icon, and again to today's populist voice, discussing each album in chronological order. Kirkpatrick's keen insights show why the classic 1975 album "Born to Run" is the most popular album of all time (according to a recent "ZagatSurvey") and what's made Springsteen the most respected and influential artist in rock music.

Though his career has been widely documented, Springsteen fans have never had a book like this one, which lets them immerse themselves in his music and learn about his influences, lyrical choices, and the themes Springsteen has been drawn to again and again in his career. Kirkpatrick's in-depth analysis of Springsteen's work-even unreleased songs-and the political controversies surrounding it make "Magic in the Night" a must for any true Springsteen fan.

Bruce Springsteen's career has been covered many times over, yet many of the complexities and apparent contradictions of his music remain unresolved. Rob Kirkpatrick provides a comprehensive and coherent look at the work of this thoroughly complex and persistently captivating artist. After a brief biographical treatment, Kirkpatrick considers all of Springsteen's significant albums in chronological order. These include Born to Run, which was voted the most popular album of all time in a recently published Zagat survey; Born in the U.S.A., which sold more than 20 million copies; and The Rising, regarded by many as the most poignant artistic reaction to 9/11. In addition to a probing musical analysis, the book offers a guide to Springsteen's lyrical themes and motifs, allowing readers insight into the complicated nature of the artist's underlying concerns, influences, and ideas. Rounding out the volume is a consideration of The Boss's legacy as a songwriter and musician, as well as appendices including a bibliography and a complete discography. The Words and Music of Bruce Springsteen provides a comprehensive and coherent look at the work of a thoroughly complex and persistently captivating artist. Springsteen enjoys a popularity that has transcended generations. His 1975 album Born to Run was voted the most popular album of all time in a recently published Zagat survey; his 1984 album Born in the U.S.A. spawned seven Top Ten singles while selling more than 20 million copies; and his 2002 album The Rising was regarded by many critics as the most poignant artistic reaction to 9/11. Springsteen, now in his 50s, has evolved from an over-hyped version of the next Bob Dylan, to the future of rock and roll in the mid-1970s, to a pop culture icon in Reagan America, to a 21st-century populist voice. His career has been covered many times over, yet many of the complexities and apparent contradictions of his music remain unresolved. These include his hard-rock influenced musical background; his movement from themes of rebellion and isolation in his early work to those of a more populist complexion later on; and his contribution in the 1980s to a conservative patriotism—despite his albums' close association with the music and ideas of Woody Guthrie. After a brief biographical treatment, Kirkpatrick considers all of Springsteen's significant albums in chronological order. In addition to this probing musical analysis, he offers a guide to Springsteen's lyrical themes and motifs, allowing readers a coherent insight into the complicated nature of the artist's underlying concerns, influences, and ideas. Rounding out the volume is a consideration of The Boss's legacy as a songwriter and musician, as well as appendices including a bibliography and a complete discography. In sum, The Words and Music of Bruce Springsteen provides a comprehensive and coherent look, previously unavailable in a single volume, at the work of a thoroughly complex and persistently captivating artist.

Perfect for third-through sixth-grade readers whose reading levels are lower than those of their peers, but whose interests are the same, Power Players offers at-risk Spanish language and bilingual students new tools and new incentives for improving their reading skills.

Here's another exciting set of sports-themed titles for third- through sixth-grade readers reading at a first-grade level. Help to even out the playing field for your at-risk readers with these sports heroes and hot shots.

PowerKids Press is proud to announce Reading Power, dynamic new high/low materials for challenged readers. Our first two sets of high-interest, low-reading-level books are designed for third and fourth grade readers reading at a first-grade level. The vocabulary, syntax, and level of picture/text correspondence in the books matches Level 8 of a first grade program, or the middle of the school year for an at-level first-grade reader. This first-grade level of simplicity and accessibility is complemented by high-interest, sports-driven subject matter, which is sure to engage a third or fourth grader. Featuring popular athletes from a wide range of sports, these books will give your kids the information they want and the reading skills they need. Turn your at-risk readers into power readers by plugging into this new PowerKids Press outlet for leveled and remedial reading materials.

Power Players are perfect for second, third and, fourth graders, whose reading levels are lower than their peers, but whose interests are the same! With low-level text and high-impact photos, the Power Players set offers at-risk readers new tools, and new incentives, for improving their reading skills.

Included in each book are fun graphics of important statistical information and photographs documenting record-breaking moments. Students will learn about the sports figures' personal lives and how these athletes accomplished their great achievements.

PowerKids Press is proud to announce Reading Power, dynamic new high/low materials for challenged readers. Our first two sets of high-interest, low-reading-level books are designed for third and fourth grade readers reading at a first-grade level. The vocabulary, syntax, and level of picture/text correspondence in the books matches Level 8 of a first grade program, or the middle of the school year for an at-level first-grade reader. This first-grade level of simplicity and accessibility is complemented by high-interest, sports-driven subject matter, which is sure to engage a third or fourth grader. Featuring popular athletes from a wide range of sports, these books will give your kids the information they want and the reading skills they need. Turn your at-risk readers into power readers by plugging into this new PowerKids Press outlet for leveled and remedial reading materials.

Power Players are perfect for second, third and, fourth graders, whose reading levels are lower than their peers, but whose interests are the same! With low-level text and high-impact photos, the Power Players set offers at-risk readers new tools, and new incentives, for improving their reading skills.

With a record-breaking 66 home runs in the 1998 baseball season, this Chicago Cubs outfielder earned an MVP award and a huge new group of young fans! Sammy Sosa is sure to score big as part of any collection.

Here's another exciting set of sports-themed titles for second-, third-, and fourth-graders reading at a first-grade level. Help to even out the playing field for your at-risk readers with these sports heroes and hot shots. These superstars are great role models for your students, instilling the sense of discipline and dedication needed to achieve excellence.