Bitter Crop benefits from a tight focus and a cinematic structure.

Readers interested in Holiday the vocalist would be better served by [other] books. (The title of Mr. Alexander’s book is in poor taste).

Ambitious.

Engrossing and moving.

In fluent command of an enormous amount of detail both enraging and awe-inspiring, Alexander vividly recounts Holiday’s valiant and ravishing last recordings and performances as her health deteriorated but her conviction stayed strong. A portrait as affecting and indelible as Holiday’s exquisite performances..

Ultimately, this book achieves a successful and accurate tribute to Lady Day and her immense talent while also painting a stark and honest portrait of her life and hardships..

Alexander’s evocative prose seamlessly complements the painstaking research that he conducted.

Stellar.