"Arsenault attempts to revive our interest in Anderson's feat by examining it in the context of a complex and often turbulent racial landscape. And he succeeds handily." -- Washington Post "[Y]ou won't find a richer examination of this event. The Sound of Freedom is a book to sing about." -- Houston Style Magazine "On the 70th anniversary of that groundbreaking concert, The Sound of Freedom reminds readers of a turning point in American life." -- New York Times Book Review "A notable addition to the historical record.Arsenault's book is a timely reminder of the worm of history turning once more. We have only just witnessed another triumphant procession on the Washington Mall, where another exemplary African-American, himself the product of another David and Delia, was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States - something Anderson would likely have been hard-pressed to imagine taking place.

" -- Boston Globe "A tightly focused look at the political and cultural events that led up to and came after her famous 1939 concert. It's a story that's well worth retelling." -- New York Times "Outstanding.provides critical perspective on [Anderson's] most significant achievement." -- Book Page "This vivid tribute to her work and times does [Anderson's] memory a great service." -- Publishers Weekly "Arsenault excels at contextualizing the concert, probing the ways in which Jim Crow laws and racial prejudices permeated all aspects of African-American life." -- Kirkus Reviews "In this moment of change and hope, Raymond Arsenault has gifted us with the perfect book for contemplation and activism. Deeply researched, vividly written, sparkling and dramatic, The Sound of Freedom is more than a biography of Marian Anderson, her struggles and triumphs over time.

It is a call to reconsider the enduring legacies of our segregated heritage, our culture of disrespect. From Marian Anderson's Lincoln Memorial concert that 'awakened' the country to the cruelties and deprivations of apartheid America, every stunning detail of this bold and heartening book calls upon us to continue the still incomplete fight for liberty and justice for all." -- Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt, vols I & II.