A Few Words in Defense of Our Country

“Randy Newman is our great master of American song and storytelling.”

“At last, the biography that Randy Newman has long deserved. The emotional precision, the humor and sweep, the truths and secrets behind his remarkable body of work . . .  it’s all here in Robert Hilburn’s heartfelt and indispensable account of America’s finest songwriter. Leave it to Hilburn to pull back the curtain on the incredible life of Newman, a shy genius who clearly trusted him enough to point him in all the right directions. It’s more than a great read, it’s an invitation to re-visit Randy Newman’s work with renewed appreciation for the man who uniquely defined the American Experience just when we needed it most.”

“A Few Words in Defense of Our Country is a strong and invaluable book. The title is perfect, and expands and deepens as the story goes on, and Randy's commitment to artistic citizenship, and Robert Hilburn's pursuit of the theme, give the book great weight. The argument powering Newman’s work is that defending your country means criticizing it, living in it as it really is, demanding that the country live up to its promises while acknowledging its betrayals.”

“Robert Hilburn presents Randy Newman front and center as an American treasure, a political lightning bolt and one of the finest songwriters of his generation. Like all of Hilburn’s biographies it is addictive and utterly definitive, an intoxicating blend of scrupulously researched detail and unearthed treasures.”

“Every time I go to Disneyland and hear Randy Newman’s fanfare that announces the thrill-ride of the “Cars” ride, I marvel at his genius for infiltration.
     Robert Hilburn’s book makes a very good case for Newman being the composer of two or three songs that might serve as the national anthem of a more curious and a less vainglorious America. Some of those songs are heartbreaking and chilling, others are just flat out funny.”

“With A Few Words In Defense of Our Country, Robert Hilburn does an extraordinary feat: He reminds us that it is passion within a songwriter that is always the genesis for music. Hilburn’s thoroughly researched and skillfully narrated bio fully brings Newman's passion to life. This book stands as the definitive biography of one of our greatest songwriters.”