Let Your Voice Be Heard: The Life And Times of Pete Seeger

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PETE SEEGER tells the story of a national treasure, folk legend Pete Seeger, who penned such classics as "If I Had a Hammer," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," "Wimoweh," and "Turn, Turn, Turn," in addition to adapting and popularizing the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." The first half of the book traces the epic life of Seeger, from his nomadic boyhood days as the son of a leftist activist, to his infatuation with Appalachian music and the banjo, to his breakout as a darling of the Greenwich Village folk scene, which catapulted him to fame and fortune. At the height of his popularity with his group the Weavers, Pete was targeted by Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee, who harassed and interrogated hundreds of American citizens over suspected ties to the Communist Party. Disrupting his career and threatening his family, McCarthy's witch hunt ultimately produced no evidence of wrongdoing, but the damage to Seeger's reputation and professional opportunities had already been done. In spite of the persecution he faced, Pete remained committed to performing and composing songs about justice and freedom that he shared across the country and throughout the world, continuing the legacy of his friend and mentor Woody Guthrie. The second half of the book traces his history as an activist who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and countless others. He spent much of his career performing for causes he believed in, leading sing-alongs at union rallies, civil rights protests including the March on Washington, demonstrations to promote environmentalism, and even Occupy Wall Street at the ripe old age of 90.