The One: The Life and Music of James Brown, by RJ Smith, Gotham Books $27.50.
Say it loud! “He was pint-size, lacking a formidable build, but Brown compensated with a way of moving that gave off waves of energy,” says RJ Smith, a Los Angeles-based music writer. Who could argue with that? With well over 100 interviews with everyone from record executives and musicians to ex-girlfriends, Smith traces Brown’s life from his humble beginnings in Barnwell, South Carolina to his meteoric rise to fame, warts and all. Thoroughly and thoughtfully researched, and beautifully written, the author places Brown in the historical and political context of America’s turbulent past and celebrates the victories of a man who rose triumphantly through the fire. This is a must-read for fans of The Godfather of Soul.
