The world of music is vast and diverse, with countless genres and subgenres that cater to different tastes and preferences. Among these, American musicals stand out as a unique form of storytelling that combines music, dance, and drama in a captivating way. In this review, we will explore the Oxford Handbooks series on the American Musical, which offers an in-depth analysis of various aspects of this genre. The first volume in the series is The Oxford Handbook of The American Musical (Oxford Handbooks), which provides a comprehensive overview of the history and evolution of the American musical. This book covers everything from the early days of Broadway to contemporary productions, offering insights into the cultural, social, and political contexts that have shaped this genre over time. One of the strengths of this volume is its interdisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from musicologists, historians, literary critics, and theater scholars to provide a well-rounded perspective on the American musical. The book also includes essays on key figures such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Richard Rodgers, offering valuable insights into their contributions to the genre. Another volume in the series is Histories of the Musical: An Oxford Handbook of the American Musical, Volume 1 (Oxford Handbooks), which focuses specifically on the history of the American musical from its origins to the early 20th century. This book provides a detailed account of how the genre evolved over time, with chapters dedicated to specific periods and styles such as vaudeville, minstrel shows, and operettas. One of the standout features of this volume is its use of primary sources, including sheet music, librettos, and newspaper reviews, to provide a firsthand account of the development of the American musical. The book also includes essays on key figures such as Stephen Foster, Scott Joplin, and George M. Cohan, offering valuable insights into their contributions to the genre. The third volume in the series is Identities and Audiences in the Musical: An Oxford Handbook of the American Musical, Volume 3 (Oxford Handbooks), which explores the ways in which the American musical reflects and shapes cultural identities and audiences. This book covers a wide range of topics, including race, gender, class, and sexuality, as well as the impact of globalization on the genre. One of the strengths of this volume is its interdisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from musicologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and cultural critics to provide a nuanced perspective on the American musical. The book also includes essays on key productions such as Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and In the Heights, offering valuable insights into their impact on contemporary audiences. The fourth volume in the series is Media and Performance in the Musical: An Oxford Handbook of the American Musical, Volume 2 (Oxford Handbooks), which focuses specifically on the ways in which the American musical intersects with media and performance cultures. This book covers a wide range of topics, including film adaptations, Broadway revivals, and digital technologies, as well as the impact of these factors on the genre's evolution and reception. One of the standout features of this volume is its use of case studies to illustrate key concepts and ideas, including analyses of specific productions such as Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked. The book also includes essays on key figures such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and David Cromer, offering valuable insights into their contributions to the genre. The fifth volume in the series is The Oxford Handbook of Country Music (Oxford Handbooks), which provides a comprehensive overview of country music, one of the most popular and influential genres in American culture. This book covers everything from the origins of country music to contemporary artists such as Taylor Swift and Drake, offering insights into the cultural, social, and political contexts that have shaped this genre over time. One of the strengths of this volume is its interdisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from musicologists, historians, literary critics, and sociologists to provide a well-rounded perspective on country music. The book also includes essays on key figures such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks, offering valuable insights into their contributions to the genre. Finally, the sixth volume in the series is The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire (Oxford Handbooks), which provides a comprehensive guide to the jazz standards, a collection of classic songs that have become staples of the jazz repertoire. This book covers everything from the origins of jazz standards to contemporary interpretations by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, offering insights into the cultural, social, and musical contexts that have shaped this genre over time. One of the strengths of this volume is its use of primary sources, including sheet music, recordings, and biographies, to provide a firsthand account of the development of jazz standards. The book also includes essays on key figures such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis, offering valuable insights into their contributions to the genre. In conclusion, the Oxford Handbooks series on the American Musical offers an in-depth analysis of various aspects of this unique form of storytelling. From its history and evolution to its cultural and social contexts, these volumes provide a comprehensive overview of the American musical that is sure to appeal to scholars, students, and fans alike.