American OasisWritten by Kyle Paoletta (Pantheon). For many Americans, the cities of the Southwest are beautiful but somewhat intimidating vacation destinations. In this elegant book, New Mexico native Paulita argues that these desert towns’ history of survival make them ideal models for other American cities. Through a series of sensitive photographs of the region’s largest cities—including Albuquerque, Phoenix, El Paso, and Las Vegas—Pauletta shows how the Southwest’s centuries of experience with extreme heat, water scarcity, and “stitching a complex social fabric” of groups of and For Native Americans, Latinos, Anglicans, and immigrants to take lessons to other cities facing similar challenges.
Before FacebookBy Preston Lauterbach (Grand Central). This book examines the influence of black musicians on Elvis Presley, especially the gospel and R.&B pioneers of the 1940s and early 1950s. Drawing on existing research and first-hand reports, Lauterbach highlights the artists who created the songs and invented the techniques with which Presley captivated white audiences, such as Big Mama Thornton—the first female “Hound Dog” singer—and guitarist Calvin Newburn. The book also chronicles the injustices faced by black music pioneers, including withholding of copyrights and royalties, and the racism of machine politicians like Memphis E. H. (Boss) Crump and the censor he appointed, who was determined to ban any material featuring black people in a scene. Positive light.
Illustration by Rose Wong
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