Finishing the Hat: The Collected Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim (Volume 1) with attendant comments, principles, heresies, grudges, whines and anecdotes Hardcover – 14 Oct. 2010

This book is an indispensable aid to writing lyrics for musical theatre. But it is so much more than that. For the first time we can read Sondheim's prose so we find out much more about his personality, taste and academic rigour. You will find yourself regretful when he criticises other lyricists' work that you have valued such as Porter, Hart and Berlin. But you are in good company as Bernstein, Laurents and Robbins refused to let Sondheim amend his own lyrics for I Feel Pretty, preferring the imperfections he first came up with.Unfortunately, this book is not complete and leaves out lyrics from many shows that were never produced including the famous four shows he wrote for his mentor Oscar Hammerstein. Surprisingly, even lyrics he wrote for shows that were produced like Candide have been left out.What we do get, however, are some wonderful gems. Here, at last, are those cut songs from West Side Story that we have been hearing about for fifty years. These include the words for the instrumental prologue plus This Turf Is Ours, which was replaced with the Jet Song, and Like Everybody Else which is far longer than the version included on Lost in Boston I. And we finally get the lyrics to Mix!, another predecessor of the Jet Song, whose melody was reused by Bernstein for the second movement of his Chichester Psalms, so you can sing along to the Mix! lyrics.As well as cut songs we also get cut verses so we get two extra choruses for Some People that were never used (but we don't get the cut verse which Sondheim has lost along with Styne's melody. What a loss). In Being Alive, all the verses beginning with 'Someone' are repeated but beginning with 'Somebody'. I once asked Sondheim why was one verse not repeated and left out. He replied he thought it was 'unnecessary' but why that particular verse and not the other three verses? Unfortunately he doesn't explain why in this book.I could go on and on about the fascinating details in this book. Sondheim is one of the best teachers you can get and that is what keeps you gripped in reading this book. You do get an idea of his striving for perfection here but what you don't get is his fantastic generosity. He always replies to your letters unlike many less eminent people. When I suggested Saturday Night was good enough to be published (and later it was), he disagreed but gave me a copy of his manuscripts including his many lyrical attempts and rejects, some of which are reproduced in this book. For me the best thing about this book is we do at last hear his voice for the first time instead of the many characters he has made sing these past 53 years.

A brilliant work. Detractors may dislike his heretical comments on some other lyricists, but at least he's honest and never nasty. After reading his comments, you realise that, yes, he does have a point and his criticisms are all valid. As to his tips and suggestions on lyric writing, these were a real eye opener making me wish that I could be a lyricist too.

Only received yesterday, so haven't done more than browse. As a Sondheim fanatic, it's everything I was hoping for - except it stops in 1981! Shall have to wait until Volume 2 is released and covers 'Sunday In The Park with George' and 'Into The Woods'. Hope it's not too long in coming, but 450 pages to get through beforehand...

The book is terrific, but Amazon's delivery process was infuriating, as Home Delivery Network left a card ticking the wrong boxes, and days went by before I discovered it had been left with a neighbour and NOT returned to their depot. It was impossible to communicate with Home Delivery Network OR Amazon, and Amazon has still not replied to my angry complaint.

Together with the follow-up journal. They are Gifts Of Gold. Both books are like Gifts From God Himself.

This is essential reading for all lovers of musical theatre. The brilliant lyrics are worth savouring without the music and the comments, anecdotes etc. are most illuminating.A great book to have by you.

Exactly as advertised and quick delivery

excellent