{"product_id":"9781101561102","title":"The One: The Life and Music of James Brown","description":"\u003cb\u003e The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul,  with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an  entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlaying 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty  \u003ci\u003eBillboard\u003c\/i\u003e hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who  transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and  until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. The One draws  on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or  played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning  writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing  life helps us to understand the music he made.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe One\u003c\/i\u003e delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised  in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up  to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's  unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the  Black Power movement, which used \"Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)\" as  its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family  life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography  with a cultural history of a pivotal era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt the heart of \u003ci\u003eThe One\u003c\/i\u003e is Brown's musical genius. He had  crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he  inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's  reinvention of funk, soul, R\u0026amp;B, and pop, he gives this history a melody  all its own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47127942627568,"sku":"9781101561102","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781101561102_p0.jpg?v=1763688307","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781101561102","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}