One of the most difficult aspects of the biography of Bob Dylan is navigating the legendary singer and songwriter’s self-constructed narrative about his origins. Furthermore, the biographer had to sift through the layers of mythology Dylan established around the story of his life.
This is why Harry Friedman’s “Bob Dylan: Jewish Roots, American Soils” can be somewhat excused for not being rich in the promise of tracing how the singer’s early career was influenced by his Jewish roots.
Friedman provides adequate introductions to Dylan’s early discography and biographies, touching on his childhood in the Iron Range of Minnesota. However, the book falls short of offering any groundbreaking insights into how Dylan’s Jewish heritage has impacted his career.
Frustratingly, at times, The Times, where Friedman depends on speculation instead, brings forth a fresh perspective. For instance, Friedman questions whether anti-Semitism in the 1963 Newsweek profile that upset Dylan had any bearing, particularly when mentioning the singer’s surname, Zimmerman.
At the same time, Friedman adeptly enriches and contextualizes Dylan’s musical influences and ascendance. He illustrates how Dylan’s early career resonated with youth during a period when “music was the only thing that made sense.”
With stronger evidence, or perhaps more elusive subjects, Friedman might have elevated his prose into a book deserving of its title.
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AP Book Review: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews
Source: apnews.com