By Thomas Best
Over the last two weeks, I have been reviewing John W. Quinley’s new biography: “Discovering Carl Sandburg: The Eclectic Life of an American Icon.” I previously described Quinley’s insightful overview of Sandburg’s youthful experiences in Galesburg and his “hobo” like existence in his late teens to rise as a poet, orator, and muckraking journalist. Today, I want to provide some final insights to last half of his incredible life.
Let me first illustrate some examples of his excellence as a speaker. Sandburg had an interest in oratory ever since his elementary school days and time as a debater at Lombard College. During his adulthood, he was constantly being sought out to speak about contemporary politics and the greater American society. In one speech, “The Three Blunders of Civilization: War, Child Labor, and the Death Penalty,” Sandburg spoke of his concern for the downtrodden and abused. During the period of the World War II, he supported the war effort of FDR. Roosevelt once wrote back to him saying “You are such an understanding soul.” He continued in such efforts into the 1960s, speaking on behalf of the candidacy of John Kennedy. He even won a Grammy Award in 1959 for his recorded narration of Aaron Copeland’s “A Lincoln Portrait.” However, I was surprised that he had developed with a friendship with actress Marilyn Monroe and was asked to give the eulogy for her at her funeral—he was unfortunately unable to do so.
Sandburg also taught us American folksongs and everything from folklife, patriotism, and family to reverence for God. Playing both the banjo and the guitar, Sandburg was not a great singer, but his enthusiasm and respect for folk music stood. His “American Songbag,” first introduced in the 1920s and updated in the 1950s, was his masterpiece teaching both thoughtful and stirring lyrics and melodies from stories of “Casey Jones” to “Ballad of the Boll Weevil” and “Hallelujah, I’m a Bum!” He inspired a generation of song writers and musicians from Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan to the Beach Boys and Creedence Clearwater Revival. He educated them about how to look deeper into the soul of Americans.
Oh, there is so much more I could tell you about how much I love Carl Sandburg, but I will leave it up to you to get this book at places like Wordsmith Book Store in his hometown of Galesburg. Indeed, I think you will know more and more greatly appreciate the ideology and talents of this influential writer, folk singer, and orator. From his children’s books to Lincoln biographies, there is something here for everyone to study and grow in their understanding of American life.
