Variety included A FEW WORDS IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY on their "Best Music Books of 2024" list. Variety Chief Music Critic writes: "[T]he case for Newman as popular music’s greatest social commentators is the one being pressed most of all by former L.A. Times rock critic Hilburn in his latest biography (following his excellent Paul Simon tome)...Through interviews with Newman’s friends and family as well as the man, Hilburn gets at all the psychology we need while respecting that genius is sometimes its own motivation." Hachette Books published the book on October 22, 2024.