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I'd Fight the World: A Political History of Old-Time, Hillbilly, and Country Music
Long before the United States had presidents from the world of movies and reality TV, we had scores of politicians with connections to country music. In I’d Fight the World , Peter La Chapelle traces the deep bonds between country music and politics, from the nineteenth-century rise of fiddler-politicians to more recent figures like Pappy O’Daniel, Roy Acuff, and Rob Quist. These performers and politicians both rode and resisted cultural some advocated for the poor and dispossessed, and others voiced religious and racial anger, but they all walked the line between exploiting their celebrity and righteously taking on the world. La Chapelle vividly shows how country music campaigners have profoundly influenced the American political landscape.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2019
11 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Peter La Chapelle
3 books4 followersAuthor of I'd Fight the World: A Political History of Old-Time, Hillbilly, and Country Music
Now available on Audible
Read an excerpt on PopMatters
Hear it discussed by author here and here.
Listen to an author-compiled soundtrack.
No Depression magazine
"Excellent... Absorbing."
Times Literary Supplement
"La Chapelle's writing flourishes."
Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader
“I’d Fight the World provides unique insights into the iconic, American-made musical genres of old-time, hillbilly, and country and western. La Chapelle’s book is educational, interesting, and very easy to read. I recommend it without question.”
Kinky Friedman, independent gubernatorial candidate and author of Heroes of a Texas Childhood
“In I’d Fight the World, La Chapelle explores the turbulent and tawdry connections between country music and politics. Country music, at its best, can be described as the music of the people. My definition of ‘politics’ never changes: poli- means more than one and tics are bloodsucking parasites. La Chapelle takes us on a lively ride through it all.”
Jocelyn Neal, author of Country Music: A Cultural and Stylistic History
“Thoroughly researched and insightful, I’d Fight the World exposes the political themes embedded in country music of all stripes, as well as the sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, always shrewd employment of this music by politicians. La Chapelle reveals a political legacy in country music that today’s audiences have an obligation to confront.”
David Gilbert, author of The Product of Our Souls
“In this well-written and expansive book, La Chapelle narrates a national history of politics and country music, from nineteenth-century populism to post–World War II conservatism. I’d Fight the World demonstrates how both political and cultural history can shine light upon each other, creating a rich tapestry of scholarship.”
Proud to Be an Okie
Proud to Be an Okie is listed in the Kansas City Star's TOP 100 BOOKS of the YEAR. Visit the Powell’s or Amazon entries for the the book here. Or order directly from the University of California Press .
"Proud to Be an Okie is the most important volume of country music history to emerge in years." -- No Depression magazine
"thoroughly researched, insightful. . . a lively and fascinating portrait of migrant culture and its assimilation into the mainstream, with country music as its soundtrack." --HARP Magazine http://www.harpmagazine.com/reviews/b...
"convincing and thought provoking. . . It is satisfying to discover that a detailed, scholarly work about this comprehensive subject can be so readable, because here is a work worth reading. Highly recommen
Now available on Audible
Read an excerpt on PopMatters
Hear it discussed by author here and here.
Listen to an author-compiled soundtrack.
No Depression magazine
"Excellent... Absorbing."
Times Literary Supplement
"La Chapelle's writing flourishes."
Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader
“I’d Fight the World provides unique insights into the iconic, American-made musical genres of old-time, hillbilly, and country and western. La Chapelle’s book is educational, interesting, and very easy to read. I recommend it without question.”
Kinky Friedman, independent gubernatorial candidate and author of Heroes of a Texas Childhood
“In I’d Fight the World, La Chapelle explores the turbulent and tawdry connections between country music and politics. Country music, at its best, can be described as the music of the people. My definition of ‘politics’ never changes: poli- means more than one and tics are bloodsucking parasites. La Chapelle takes us on a lively ride through it all.”
Jocelyn Neal, author of Country Music: A Cultural and Stylistic History
“Thoroughly researched and insightful, I’d Fight the World exposes the political themes embedded in country music of all stripes, as well as the sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, always shrewd employment of this music by politicians. La Chapelle reveals a political legacy in country music that today’s audiences have an obligation to confront.”
David Gilbert, author of The Product of Our Souls
“In this well-written and expansive book, La Chapelle narrates a national history of politics and country music, from nineteenth-century populism to post–World War II conservatism. I’d Fight the World demonstrates how both political and cultural history can shine light upon each other, creating a rich tapestry of scholarship.”
Proud to Be an Okie
Proud to Be an Okie is listed in the Kansas City Star's TOP 100 BOOKS of the YEAR. Visit the Powell’s or Amazon entries for the the book here. Or order directly from the University of California Press .
"Proud to Be an Okie is the most important volume of country music history to emerge in years." -- No Depression magazine
"thoroughly researched, insightful. . . a lively and fascinating portrait of migrant culture and its assimilation into the mainstream, with country music as its soundtrack." --HARP Magazine http://www.harpmagazine.com/reviews/b...
"convincing and thought provoking. . . It is satisfying to discover that a detailed, scholarly work about this comprehensive subject can be so readable, because here is a work worth reading. Highly recommen
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 25, 2020
I've been trying to decide whether I put this as a 3 or a 4. This book is highly informative and thoughtfully outlines the progression of country music's place in politics from the 1800s to the present day, and for that it deserves a ton of stars. For me personally, interest-wise, it ended up being about a 3 or 3.5, depending on the chapter.
Displaying 1 of 1 review