Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

-- Critically acclaimed biographies of history's most notable African-Americans
-- Straightforward and objective writing
-- Lavishly illustrated with photographs and memorabilia
-- Essential for multicultural studies

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Horn Book Review

'Spike Lee' is a balanced, though admiring, view of the film director's skill and courage in tackling controversial themes. The text reveals very little about Lee's well-guarded personal life. Frankl's book features Davis's unique contributions to the development of bebop and his interactions with jazz masters; it also details his background and personal life. Black-and-white photographs add flavor to the narratives. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

A superb short biography in the Black Americans of Achievement series. Frankl (Charlie Parker, 1992, not reviewed, etc.) is focused, perceptive, and restrained--an effective combination--in his discussion, concentrating primarily on Davis's music. In the dozens of names mentioned, however, comes an indirect history of modern jazz. Apart from occasional stylistic infelicities, the prose is unpretentious and efficient. Above all, Frankl is very good at describing different musical styles and ideas, and these descriptions form the backbone of the biography (with one strange exception: There is no explicit description of bebop). With telling black-and-white photographs on every third or fourth page, this work can be recommended as an introduction to readers in the middle grades and beyond. (discography, chronology, bibliography, index). (Biography. 11+)