Prior to the publication of Robert Hilburn’s A FEW WORDS IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY, The New York Times ran a Sunday feature about Randy Newman. Bob Mehr writes: “[Newman’s] movie songs are filled with memorable melodies; his own albums with unsavory characters. One of the most astute cultural observers is the subject of a new book…While Hilburn’s book functions as a conventional, often penetrating, biography, it’s ‘also a personal, critical argument on Randy’s behalf,’ Hilburn said in an interview. ‘It’s fine to enjoy ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me,’ but the greatness of Randy Newman, his real legacy, are all the brilliant songs he’s written about the shortcomings of the American character.’” Hachette Books published A FEW WORDS IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY on October 22, 2024.