Polka Heartland captures the beat that pulses in the heart of Midwestern culture--the polka--and offers up the fascinating history of how "oompah-pah" came to be the sound of middle America. From the crowded dance tent at Pulaski Polka Days to an off-the-grid Mexican polka dance in small-town Wisconsin; "Polka Heartland" explores the people; places; and history behind the Midwests favorite music.From polkas surprising origin story as a cutting-edge European fad to an exploration of the modern-day polka scene; author Rick March and photographer Dick Blau take readers on a joyful romp through this beloved; unique; and richly storied genre. "Polka Heartland" describes the artists; venues; instruments; and music-makers who have been pivotal to polkas popularity across the Midwest and offers six full-color photo galleries to immerse readers in todays vibrant polka scene.
#74572 in eBooks 2009-10-13 2009-10-13File Name: B00134XEPK
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Its a Commentary. Not A Sequel - Dont Cast StonesBy JustMike Addicts review somewhat harsh and a bit inaccurate. Mystic Pizza. Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman were all made in the 1980s and Julia Roberts filmed an episode of "In the Wild" with the orangutans of Borneo in 1992. so Janice wasnt too far off. And we know that Twiggy and Shrimpton predate Janice by a decade or so. but no one called them supermodels. Janice coined the term. If she wants to wear that dress. then let her ndash; shersquo;s earned the right.Itrsquo;s easy to criticize this book if yoursquo;re looking for the same stark and heartfelt pain in ldquo;No Lifeguard On Duty.rdquo; when Janice talks about the abuse she suffered from her father as a childm. and how various people in the industry ran over her during her heyday. But the book is not meant to be a sequel to her first book or represent some sort of literary achievement. Dickinson does claim to be Ayn Rand or Edna Ferber and to hold her to a high literary standard is unfair and misplaced. Itrsquo;s the snarky. sarcastic. Joan Rivers side of Janice that many people find fun and amusing. I admit. I am a fan and I do not apologize. The book is just meant to be taken for what it is ndash; a look or commentary from her point of view at society and the mediarsquo;s obsession with perfection and beauty ideals that cause celebrities to behave strangely. It actually says a lot more than she probably intended. To accuse her of doing too many drugs is a bit of a cheap shot and cowardly.I also have a problem with reviewers challenging the veracity of her stories. Irsquo;m sure she has embellished some to some extent. but I doubt a woman who would be so painfully honest about the abuse she suffered as a child would make up stories for the sake of a book. especially when she would have no reason to ndash; she lived the life. I was a bit skeptical of her encounters with Cosby in ldquo;No Lifeguardrdquo;. but I believe her now.So if youre looking for an intimate look into her life or some literary triumph. then keep looking - this is not the book for you. But if you enjoy a lighthearted look at the life from the view and experiences of someone who lived through a lot and still has the guts and the courage to speak her truth. then ignore the haters and jump in with an open mind. Just enjoy the book for what it is. Itrsquo;s her commentary on the industry and the media and the public from her eyes. Her cynicism and sarcasm are hard-earned through the life shes led. Sure. some of it is her own doing. but she admits that. That doesnrsquo;t mean she should be persecuted for being victimized by people she trusted.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. She is who she is...and thats ok.By Linda McNattJanice once again (read her first book) bravely bares her soul in this book. She is a bit snarky at times and is proud of some things I would never do or admit to. But by revealing the mistakes she has made along the way she is trying to help others avoid the pitfalls. This is a brave effort on her part.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. great conditionBy Debrashe is such a riot
