In IRA GERSHWIN: A LIFE IN WORDS by Michael Owen Ira Gershwin works with his brother, George, to write songs for what has been called the Great American Songbook (memorable songs from the first half of the 20th century). Ira writes the lyrics, and George writes the music. I read this book wanting to know how Ira comes to write lyrics with his brother. I end up fascinated by all aspects of Ira’s life.

Michael Owen does a good job summarizing Ira’s life. I like the format of the book with its division by decade. I also enjoy gaining insight into the formation and performance of some of the songs Ira Gershwin’s lyrics have enhanced. Thank you, W W Norton & Company and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of IRA GERSHWIN: A LIFE IN WORDS.

Review Title: A Beautiful Tribute to Ira Gershwin's Lasting Legacy

Michael Owen’s Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words is a thoroughly researched and engaging biography that finally gives lyricist Ira Gershwin his rightful place as one of the most significant contributors to the Great American Songbook. While George Gershwin may be more famous, Owen’s work highlights Ira’s unique genius, tracing his journey from his early writing to becoming the first lyricist to win a Pulitzer Prize. The book paints a rich portrait of Ira's contributions, from iconic songs like “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” to his collaborations with major composers, including Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen.

Owen’s use of archival materials, such as personal letters and diaries, brings Ira’s creative process to life and reveals the depth of his bond with George. One of the most touching parts of the biography is the exploration of Ira’s emotional and professional challenges following George’s tragic death. Owen illustrates how Ira balanced grief and a dedication to preserving his brother’s legacy while continuing to write for the stage and screen.

The book also offers a captivating look into the broader cultural landscape of early 20th-century America, showing how Ira's lyrics helped define the eras of Broadway and Hollywood. Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words not only solidifies Ira’s place in music history but also enriches our understanding of the timelessness of the American Songbook.

This beautifully written and deeply informative biography is essential reading for music lovers, Broadway enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the cultural history of the 1920s and beyond. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

In Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words, Michael Owen delivers an illuminating biography that finally gives Ira Gershwin the recognition he deserves as one of the finest lyricists of the 20th century. For those familiar with his more famous brother, George Gershwin, this biography sheds light on Ira’s contributions to the Great American Songbook, an often overlooked yet deeply influential figure in American music history.

Owen carefully constructs Ira’s journey from his modest beginnings, writing for amateur publications, to becoming the first lyricist to win a Pulitzer Prize. This narrative reveals the long and often arduous road Ira traveled before gaining success and shows how his partnership with George flourished during the 1920s and 1930s, resulting in timeless classics like "Fascinating Rhythm" and "They Can’t Take That Away from Me." Owen’s use of extensive archival materials, including personal letters and diaries, provides readers with rare glimpses into Ira’s creative process and his deep bond with his brother.

The book is especially poignant when it describes the impact of George’s untimely death in 1937 on Ira. Owen presents a man who, though accustomed to living in his brother’s shadow, was deeply shaken by the loss and worked tirelessly to preserve George’s legacy while continuing his own creative pursuits. This chapter of Ira’s life illustrates the delicate balance between grief and productivity that defined much of his later career, as he collaborated with composers like Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen.

For anyone interested in the cultural landscape of early 20th-century America, this biography offers much more than an account of Ira’s achievements. It serves as a window into the rich musical history of Broadway and Hollywood, where Ira’s lyrics helped define an era. The book’s exploration of Ira’s final years—dedicated to maintaining the Gershwin legacy and contributing to the enduring popularity of the American Songbook—cements his status as a towering figure in American music.

Owen’s meticulous research, coupled with engaging storytelling, makes Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words an essential read for music lovers and scholars alike. By placing Ira’s life in the broader context of American cultural history, Owen finally brings the lyricist out of George’s shadow, allowing his genius to shine in its own right.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway celebrates this biography as an essential addition to the preservation of music history. It highlights how Ira’s words have shaped not only the soundtrack of Broadway but the legacy of American music for generations to come.

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