Renowned music writer Peter Guralnick takes on rhythm and blues in \ the best history of 60s soul music anyone has written or is likely to write\ (New York Times). A gripping narrative that captures the tumult and liberating energy of a nation in transition Sweet Soul Music is an intimate portrait of the legendary performers--Sam Cooke Ray Charles James Brown Solomon Burke Aretha Franklin Otis Redding and Al Green among them--who merged gospel and rhythm and blues to create Southern soul music. Through rare interviews and with unique insight Peter Guralnick tells the definitive story of the songs that inspired a generation and forever changed the sound of American music. \ One of the ten books [I] couldn t live without.\ --Ta-Nehisi Coates