Getting To Know Him: A Biography of Oscar Hammerstein II.

FORDIN, Hugh; Introduction by Stephen Sondheim.

Item Number: 133567

New York: Random House, 1977.

First edition of the definitive biography on the legendary composer. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author to actress Sylvia Miles on the front free endpaper, “To Sylvia, without your help this book would not have been possible. Fondly, Hugh.” American actress Sylvia Miles was a fixture in New York City society, having lived there her entire life. She performed in many Off-Broadway shows and was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in Midnight Cowboy (1969) and Farewell, My Lovely (1975). Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Holly McNeely. Introduction by Stephen Sondheim. An excellent association.

Oscar Hammerstein II led a remarkable, multifaceted career as a librettist, lyricist, playwright, director, and producer. He wrote Carmen Jones, Carousel, Show Boat, and, with longtime collaborator Richard Rodgers, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Hugh Fordin enjoyed complete access to the Hammerstein archives and conducted numerous interviews with family and colleagues like Rodgers, Berlin, Robbins, and Sondheim. The result is the definitive biography of a creative giant, who changed forever the texture of American theater.