--- product_id: 45695682 title: "The Origins of Cool in Postwar America Hardcover – May 17, 2017" brand: "joel dinerstein" price: "VT18769" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 9 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45695682-the-origins-of-cool-in-postwar-america-hardcover-may-17 store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # The Origins of Cool in Postwar America Hardcover – May 17, 2017 **Brand:** joel dinerstein **Price:** VT18769 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Origins of Cool in Postwar America Hardcover – May 17, 2017 by joel dinerstein - **How much does it cost?** VT18769 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45695682-the-origins-of-cool-in-postwar-america-hardcover-may-17) ## Best For - joel dinerstein enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted joel dinerstein brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![The Origins of Cool in Postwar America Hardcover – May 17, 2017 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71gKpKHhLTL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Book *by N***E on Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024* I loved this book. It kind of brought together all things cool. My father had that vibe and that is what I look for in a man. I also admire black culture and have picked up on their people handling skills. And jazz is my jam. It does so much for my sense of wellness. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on jazz and its influence on America and the world *by J***R on Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017* I am using my real name as author of this review in case anyone wants to question my musical background. What is particularly amazing to me about “The Origins of Cool in Postwar America” is that it is a major academic work, extensively researched and rigorously annotated, yet not written in “academese,” but in a clear and often compelling style easily understandable to those of us without Pd.D.s Dinerstein locates the birth of cool with the style of the great jazz saxophonist Lester Young. Young was subject to horrific racism during his time in the Army during World War II. He had already developed a signature style before then: a vibrato-less sound (unusual for big band saxophonists of that time) as well as an amazing use of pause and even silence during his solos. However, after WWII, in response to the oppression he was subjected to, he developed a calm, relaxed performance style very unlike the “hot” big band soloists of his day, which Lester and his friends labelled as “cool.” Dinerstein then documents the roots of this style in West African musical practice as well as the survival strategy of house slaves in the antebellum south. This style had an immediate influence on his jazz colleagues. In subsequent chapters of the book, Dinerstein documents the profound influence this style of jazz had on international culture, including literature, philosophy, film and theater. My personal favorite is Allen Ginsburg’s admission that “’Howl’ is all “Lester Leaps In.’” Then, in the pivotal later chapter on Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, Dinerstein has the chutzpah to ask the question: given the obvious influence that the “cool” style in jazz had in the world, why isn’t it recognized as such? The answer, which even non-black academics shy away from, despite academia being one of the last bastions of radical liberalism, is of course: racism. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a friend of Joel’s. However, even if I weren’t, I would still highly recommend this book not only for jazz lovers, but for anyone interested in a keen insight into the nature of American society. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this fairly well written and edited book because I ... *by J***9 on Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2017* I enjoyed this fairly well written and edited book because I am very interested in the period and individuals covered. The author makes a number of interesting points, although sometimes at too great a length and with too much repetition. I appreciated the many excellent recommendations for period music, films and books. That said, however, I don't have enormous trust in someone who thinks Dave Brubeck is a saxophone player (as mentioned in the notes section), although perhaps (and hopefully) this was an error by a research assistant or editor. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45695682-the-origins-of-cool-in-postwar-america-hardcover-may-17](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45695682-the-origins-of-cool-in-postwar-america-hardcover-may-17) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-08*