Books About Sam Cooke And Other Books Worth Reading

*** Biographies ***

YOU SEND ME, The Life and Times of Sam Cooke, by Daniel Wolff, SR Crain, Cliff White and David G. Tenenbaum

Book Description
In 1957, already one of the biggest stars in gospel music, Sam Cooke burst onto the pop scene with the number one hit "You Send Me," the first in a string of rock & roll classics. He quickly became one of music business's first African-American entrepreneurs, as well as a role model in the early years of the civil rights struggle. Then, at age thirty-three, he was found dead, shot through the heart in a seedy motel in south Los Angeles. The circumstances surrounding his death would remain a controversial mystery for years to come.

Reviews:    There are reviews from Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist and Midwest Book review here.

Sale: The book is getting harder to get: try Amazon Hardcover and also for the Amazon Softcover

Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke by Peter Guralnick

Release Date: October 18 2005

Sale: Dream Boogie : The Triumph of Sam Cooke

This Book is written by a Nephew of Sam and came out in 2005. It's a very interesting look into his family.   

Go to the website OurUncleSam.com to get a copy

*** Sheet Music Books ***

Book Description
Arranged for Piano/Guitar with Lyrics. Sam Cooke was the most important soul singer in history and the inventor of soul music. Even today, his music endures with cover recordings by artists from all genres of the recording industry. His legacy continues with this album-matching folio containing songs spanning more than a decade. Titles include: Another Saturday Night * Bring It on Home to Me * Chain Gang * Cupid * Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha * (Ain't That) Good News * Having a Party * Jesus Gave Me Water * Meet Me at Mary's Place * Only Sixteen * Twisting the Night Away * (What A) Wonderful World * You Send Me * You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You.

Sale: At Amazon  for $14,93

*** Standard Works on Soul Music ***

Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick

Book: This is the definitive story on the history of soul in the United States. It also has a chapter on Sam Cooke. Guralnick has also written a biography which will be out soon called 'Dream Boogie'. The best book on soul ever

Sale: Always at Amazon starting at $16,97

The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made by Dave Marsh.

Great Book on the in his view 1001 greatest singles. Sam Cooke is in there 5x, but more songs of his are in the list as performed by other authors.

Sale: Amazon.com has it

        Just My Soul Responding by Brian Ward

    This book by Englishman Ward is a very good, though sometimes written in a very university style of language, making it not always easy to follow. Many quotations and everything is covered: gospel, the youth gangs, the lyrics, the music etc. There is a good part about Sam Cooke too, in which Ward somewhat downplays the events in Norfolk as described by Daniel Woolf, saying that besides one interviews with a shopowner there is no evidence that Cooke was in Norfolk on that day, so his defiant stance against a segregated show is not true, especially since he did one two days later.

Sale: Amazon.com is where I bought it for about $27,50

Preview: The best part of the book about Sam Cooke is here

The Holy Profane: Religion in Black Popular Music by Teresa L. Reed

Book: I very much enjoyed reading this book. Not only about the musical aspects but most of all the lyrical aspects of religion in black music. From the early 20th century, through Sam Cooke to 2Pac Shakur.

Sale: Amazon.com for $25,00

Nowhere To Run: The Story of Soul Music by Gerri Hirshey.

Book: Good book about the history of soul, with much emphasis on motown however and no mention at all about the Muscle Shoals scene. Has a seperate chapter on Sam Cooke called 'Lady, You Shout Me'

Sale: Amazon.com for only $10,17

People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music by Robert Darden

Book: I have really enjoyed reading this book because it gives a great insight into the history of gospel music, starting in Africa before the slave trade. Of course the Soul Stirrers are mentioned as well.

Sale: Starting at $16.97 at Amazon

Jay Warner - Billboard's American Rock 'n' Roll In Review

This is a very interesting book with little reviews of many singles that came out in the 50's and 60's, I used the reviews on Sam Cooke songs on the songpages but the other ones are also worth reading, especially if you are a fan of 50's and 60's music, it also lists the highest charts positions.

Sale: For $22 at Amazon

Lonely Teardrops: The Jackie Wilson Story, by Tony Douglas

Book: This is the only book so far on the interesting but also tragic life of Jackie Wilson, who often toured with Sam Cooke

Sale: The old edition is hard to come by, but the published just released a new edition. Try Amazon for a copy, starting at $13,57