Ragtime: A Musical and Cultural History

by Edward A. Berlin

Ragtime, the jaunty, toe-tapping music that captivated American society from the 1890s through World War I, forms the roots of America s popular musical expression. But the understanding of ragtime and its era has been clouded by a history of murky impressions, half-truths, and inventive fictions.

Genres: Music, History

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Edward Irons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and Precise Overview of this Neglected Music Form

Berlin’s analysis is anchored in the music. He unties the easy generalizations that have kept ragtime a footnote in music history. A scholarly, well-argued work.