"But He Doesn't Know the Territory": The Story behind Meredith Willson's The Music Man

Really enjoyable book, full of wit and humour and an inspiring story too. :)

People with a love of Broadway Theatre will like it. It is a small book and very interestingly written - not at all like any other biography. You have to get used to his style. His turn of phrase and descriptions are both funny and poignant which you appreciate more the further you get into the book. It is an unusual book which I would not have known about had I not been directed towards it. I'm glad I found it!

I associate with the reviewer below who mentions that its one of the books he (or she's) ever sat through in one sitting... I'm the same, and I had the same experience... Meredith Wilson's writing is almost Damon Runyonesque... laden with humor, hipsterish, short, punch and very anecdote centered. One gets the impression that this was a person with a love of life and who... loved talking and telling stories. - - The book is also interesting because it goes behind the scenes and shows how a musical comes together and what it feels like to be at the center of the project, especially as the big opening night nears. I also found it interesting because The Music Man along with "Guys and Dolls" and "West Side Story" is "the quintessential Broadway must see musical" of that Golden Age... yet it is so unorthodox - - especially with all the numbers that are half talking, half singing... Also, in my humble opinion, I think that the "book" (to the musical) has some technical problems and think its interesting how the libretto tempted to work its way around it. This book definitely sheds light on it... Its also interesting to hear the writer talk about his interesting concept of having tunes with words that didn't rhyme but fit together... To me, its the brilliance of the show... I always interpreted it as a symbol of how the world is full of music, even in places we least expect it, as well as an allegory of the smooth talking/fast rapping style of the traveling salesman... I also love the line in the play, "Singing is nothing but sustained talking..." -- Meredith Wilson, though, makes it seem like something that was more accidental, less calculated, but something he became obsessed with... He also gives a great lesson in life. -- Though The Music Man would become a success by every means, the book tells of lot's of downs, including almost all the record labels turning it down and a preview story that made him really feel like HE DIDN'T KNOW THE TERRITORY... despite this, he stuck with it, and the more hard knocks he got, the harder he worked... even though it took him almost a decade to finish the project... As a result of this, whenever I feel inspired and am thinking of quitting, I'll definitely think of this book and continue to stick with it.I am aware that his previous memoir, the book that inspired THE MUSIC MAN has also been put out. I definitely intend to get it.In conclusion, don't you even think of going to see THE MUSIC MAN, listening tot he soundtrack or even acting it til you've gotten this book !

I have always been a fan of Mr. Willson's popular musical, ever since my dad (who was also a big fan) came home from the local library with a copy of the 1962 movie, starring Robert Preston, for my 12 year old self to view. I was entranced by the colorful characters, the wonderfully crafted story, the fun-up beat dance numbers and of course, that glorious score. Musical number after musical number of complete cleverness which, even today, not many Broadway shows barely hold a match to. Add all this to the fact, one man wrote the whole show! Not only that, a completely original story! I was hooked... Flash forward, 14 years... Looking for something to read, I typed in Meredith Willson's name into the search bar, just to see what books had been written about him, to find this gem of a story. Delighted that there was a book about the making of my favorite musical, written by the music man himself, I purchased it. The day it arrived, I read the first few pages, just to see if I liked the writing style and I couldn't put it down, I read the whole book, cover to cover. I rarely ever do that, but it was so good! A fully in-depth look at the process of bringing a Broadway musical to the stage during the Golden Age of the American musical! His absolute joy in writing a show about his home town in Iowa, was done with so much love and care, it makes the fact his musical, won the Tony Award for Best Musical (beating out, West Side Story in the process) even more enjoyable. To any fan of Mr. Willson, The Music Man or of musical theater in general, this is an absolute must to get, you will enjoy it all the way through!Ps. I bought "And There I Stood with My Piccolo..." Also by Mr. Willson, and I can't wait to start reading that!

Disappointing. There are so many great ones it's too bad this miles the mark.

I am a big fan of The Music Man, and therefore Meredith Willson. However this book was very disappointing. I was expecting a tell-all insider book about how he wrote it, and staged it. But I would estimate that 90% of this short book is about other stuff. The author rambles. A lot. There are a few interesting tidbits about the actual creative process; for instance, the list of male stars that were considered for the role of Professor Harold Hill. But mostly it's musings about other things. For what I got out of the book, it could have been 20 pages long. Be warned.