Why Sinatra Matters

Applause for Pete Hamill’s WHY SINATRA MATTERS

Frank Sinatra and Pete Hamill, as products of the same urban landscape, have both been credited with giving the American city a voice. In this widely acclaimed and bestselling appreciation, Hamill draws on his intimate experience of the man and the music to evoke the essence of Sinatra, illuminating the singer’s art and his legend from the point of view of a confidant and a fan.

“As succinct and laconically classy as its title.”

— Adam Woog, Seattle Times

“Hamill’s illuminations are considerable without ever stooping to facile psychologizing. … He does a better job of placing Sinatra’s saga in a social and political context than any of his biographers have. … Why Sinatra Matters is most valuable in its explication of how Sinatra came to formulate a musical style that was a sound track to urban American life.”

— Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer

“A graceful reminiscence of Sinatra after hours serves as the frame for shrewd reflections on the singer’s art, his personality, his audience, and — most interesting — his ethnicity, a subject about which Hamill, against all odds, contrives to say fresh and persuasive things.”

— Terry Teachout, New York Times Book Review

“A brief but eloquent homage. … Hamill succeeds — convincingly, with natty aplomb — in explaining why Sinatra, even now, matters.”

— Tom Chaffin, LA Weekly

“A snazzy ode to ‘Ole Blue Eyes.’”

— People

“Compelling reading for anyone with a feeling for the late singer.”

— Adam Woog, Seattle Times

“An engrossing book … sharply evocative.”

— Don Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune

“Hamill conveys moments with memories so vivid that you can smell the smoke and taste the bourbon.”

— Vicki L. Friedman, Virginian-Pilot

“This is a beautiful thing, an admiring rumination on Sinatra the man, the persona, and the towering talent. … An absolutely terrific work.”

— Liz Smith, Newsday

“Hamill’s illuminations are considerable. … Any Sinatra fan hungry for a fresh take will eat up Why Sinatra Matters.”

— Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Even if you think you know why Sinatra matters, this slim biographical essay proves the most intimate and thoughtful eulogy for ‘the Voice’ yet. … Hamill’s concise, eloquent musings leave you wanting not to read a full-blown biography but to listen again to Sinatra’s best songs.”

— Megan Harlan, Entertainment Weekly

“What a perfect match: the world’s greatest ‘saloon singer’ eulogized superbly by the author of A Drinking Life. … Why Sinatra Matters belongs in any collection of important books on American popular music of the 20th century.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“The only thing wrong with this brief but penetrating essay is that it is far too short.”

— Terry Teachout, New York Times Book Review