Woody Guthrie: American Balladeer

In this newest addition to the Unsung Americans series, Yates draws on a variety of sources to examine the life of Woody Guthrie (1912-1967), perhaps best known today for writing ``This Land Is Your Land'' and for inspiring a generation of musicians including Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. While much of the book is devoted to Guthrie's role as a champion of the oppressed and underprivileged, the picture that ultimately emerges is of a troubled and immature dreamer who, in his quest for self-fulfillment, avoided his responsibilities to his family (three wives left him) and his employers. Emphasizing her subject's sensitivity to the political and social issues of his times, Yates discusses the changing climate of the country, explaining how these changes are reflected in Guthrie's music. Especially useful are her overviews of the growth of labor movements and the backlash against Communist organizers, the creation of social programs to counteract the Depression, and the effects of WWII on American society. Photos not seen by PW. Ages 12-up. (Mar.)