I Feel So Good, By Bob Riesman

"An extremely good technician." "He knew the truth even if he couldn't resist dressing it up sometimes."

Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend are talking about Big Bill Broonzy (1903-1958), a native of Arkansas who honed his musical chops on a "diddley bow" (a one-stringed instrument) before becoming a Chicago bluesman with hits including C.C.Rider, Matchbox Blues and Key to the Highway.

Riesman's fascinating book explores the strange story of this seminal figure. A "tremendous storyteller", says Riesman, "and his greatest invention may have been himself."