A History of the Banjo: Frank Converse's Banjo Reminiscences 1901-1902

[Tim Twiss]

New book out. Anybody get this yet?

[Joel Hooks]

He contacted me looking for info on Converse's life and said he was going to do this.

They are free for download on my site, of course.

The brief back and forth we had in email did not give me much confidence that he knew Frank like Carl does.  He also did not know about ABM.

 

Someone spend 20 bucks and tell us if it is worth it.

[Carl Anderton]

I'm certainly no big Converse scholar.  I'm just lucky enough to have access to all the issues of the Cadenza at the UMKC library.  Joel discovered many interesting FBC artifacts through Google Patents, and various period newspapers.  It looks like Paul has annotated the Reminiscences series and it should be interesting.

[Joel Hooks]

Now that I just reread what I wrote it sounds like I was being a bit nasty.  Sorry about that.

Converse was a cool dude, and his wife was equally cool. In fact, they were so cool that it is almost unbelievable.  His words speak for themselves, and I'd be interested in what Paul has to add to them.

The problem is sorting out the huge amount of stuff on both of them.  Just when I think I've got a grasp on it, something new slaps me in the face.

Carl, Frank would not be as good a friend to me if you had not made the introductions.

I'll think about it and will likely buy a copy, If not just to have a neatly bound copy.

 

[Greg Adams]

Full bibliographic entry for this new book please :-)

[Tim Twiss]

I'm getting a copy. I'll let you all know what it's like. I know I'm missing a lot from not having read all these. It's mostly a lack of discipline from not reading available online sources. Chalk one more up for hard copies.

[Tim Twiss]

Got it today. I'd recommend it. It is just the transcriptions from Converse's entrys...nothing added but a forward.   

Greg Adams said:

Full bibliographic entry for this new book please :-)

[Joel Hooks]

No offense to Mr. Heller, but just like sheet music, I'd prefer to read it in the original format.  

Hmm, I wonder where one could find it?  Oh yes!  It is free to download from my website www.thejoelhooks.com

 

Save the $20 dollars for buying thimbles.