Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of the Musical

“A charming . . . passion animates [Winer’s] Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of the Musical.”—Brad Leithauser, New York Times Book Review

“Smart and insightful. . . . [Winer] has an intuitive grasp of Hammerstein’s aesthetic and character. She gets him.”—New York Review of Books

“Part biography, part analysis, this admirable book presents its subject as a likable man whose career, along with that of his protégé Stephen Sondheim, illuminates the evolution of the American musical.”—New York Times, “9 New Books We Recommend This Week”

“Winer’s defense of Hammerstein’s essential place as a pivotal figure in American cultural history rings true.”—Tim Riley, Los Angeles Review of Books

“Winer’s exploration of Hammerstein’s journey is timely, respectful, and deserving of inclusion in strong performing arts collections.”—Lisa Henry, Library Journal

“Clear-eyed and deeply researched. . . . Winer’s appreciation of the musical as an art form animates every page of this loving tribute to Hammerstein and his progressive vision of the United States.”—Joy Horowitz, Los Angeles Review of Books

“Quirkily entertaining. . . . [Winer’s] portrait of Hammerstein as a man who ‘found grace in every role’ is unexpectedly moving.”—Julia M. Klein, American Theatre

“This is a thoughtful and fond consideration of a major figure, humanized rather than canonized, telling of his dignity and devotion to craft, perseverance, and personal touch.”—Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway

“A welcome addition to the Broadway literature . . . expressed with eloquence and critical insight.”—Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association

“Laurie Winer’s wonderfully entertaining and deeply researched book paints a fascinating portrait of Oscar Hammerstein and successfully examines the usually ineffable art of collaboration in the theater. A must-read for anyone interested in the American musical.”—James Lapine, librettist of Into the Woods

“This engaging work is the sharpest, most insightful, most readable, and most optimistic of all the books about Oscar Hammerstein. It provides education and pleasure in equal measure.”—Michael Feinstein, founder, Great American Songbook Foundation

“What an impressive achievement! Laurie Winer’s book offers new insights into Oscar Hammerstein II’s groundbreaking achievements.”—Robert Kimball, musical theater historian

“A magnificent, seminal and definitive book written as biographies ought to be. Winer brings to life a time and place in the history of theater. I now know who Oscar Hammerstein really was.”—André Bishop, artistic director, Lincoln Center Theater

“Laurie Winer’s fascinating and beautifully written biography makes an inspiring case for Oscar Hammerstein as the American musical’s greatest innovator and one of the American theatre’s greatest dramatists.”—Nicholas Hytner, director