The 20 Best Music History Books

If you're looking for the best music history books to buy online, look no further than this compiled list. We've gathered together a selection of books that are sure to please, whether you're looking.

So what are you waiting for? Start browsing and find your next great read today!

Our Favorite music history books:

Bestseller No. 1
Music History: History of Music: From Prehistoric Sounds to: Classical Music, Jazz, Rock Music, POP Music, and Electronic Music (Baroque Music, Joseph Haydn, Chopin, Beethoven Book 1)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Sullivan, Andrew (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 69 Pages - 10/07/2016 (Publication Date) - Andrew Sullivan (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 2
Music: The Definitive Visual History
  • Hardcover Book
  • DK (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 480 Pages - 07/26/2022 (Publication Date) - DK (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 3
The Rap Year Book: The Most Important Rap Song From Every Year Since 1979, Discussed, Debated, and Deconstructed
  • Serrano, Shea (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 240 Pages - 10/13/2015 (Publication Date) - Abrams Image (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 4
The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings That Changed the World
  • Hardcover Book
  • Guralnick, Peter (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 11/22/2022 (Publication Date) - Weldon Owen (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 5
Hotel California: The True-Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagles, and Their Many Friends
  • Hoskyns, Barney (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 336 Pages - 05/01/2007 (Publication Date) - Wiley (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 6
American Ballads and Folk Songs (Dover Books On Music: Folk Songs)
  • Series: Dover Edition.
  • Category: Textbook - Choral / Vocal.
  • Instrument: Voice.
  • Format: Book.
  • Genre: Folk Song.
Bestseller No. 7
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Levitin, Daniel J. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 344 Pages - 08/03/2006 (Publication Date) - Dutton (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 8
American Negro Songs: 230 Folk Songs and Spirituals, Religious and Secular (Dover Books On Music: Folk Songs)
  • Work, John W. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 272 Pages - 06/17/1998 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 9
Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
  • Hardcover Book
  • Rolling Stone (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 11/01/2022 (Publication Date) - Harry N. Abrams (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 10
The Greatest Music Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Music History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy (The Greatest Stories Never Told)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Beyer, Rick (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 224 Pages - 06/07/2011 (Publication Date) - Harper (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 11
Composers: Their Lives and Works (DK History Changers)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • DK (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1041 Pages - 09/15/2020 (Publication Date) - DK (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 12
Music Is History
  • Audible Audiobook
  • Ahmir Khalib Thompson (Author) - Questlove (Narrator)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 10/19/2021 (Publication Date) - Recorded Books, Inc. (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 13
Standard of Excellence, Book 1: Theory & History Workbook
  • Standard Of Excellence Book 1 Theory & History Student
  • Theory section of Book 1 concentrates on learning the basic language of the music that helps develop well-rounded musicians: reading and drawing notes in both treble and bass clef, learning key signatures and simple rhythms, and introducing intervals
  • Students compose their own rhythms within parameters, and encounter fun puzzles and games to reinforce their new skills
  • The History section of Book 1 gives an overview of music history in the context of world events, using text, illustrations, and timelines
  • Students get a taste of music history from antiquity to the present day, with introductions to the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century
Bestseller No. 14
The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Ward, Ed (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 417 Pages - 11/15/2016 (Publication Date) - Flatiron Books (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 15
Teaching Music History with Cases (Modern Musicology and the College Classroom)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Haefeli, Sara (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 124 Pages - 11/22/2022 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 16
Vinyl: The Art of Making Records
  • Hardcover Book
  • Evans, Mike (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 09/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Thunder Bay Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 17
Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres
  • Hardcover Book
  • Sanneh, Kelefa (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 496 Pages - 10/05/2021 (Publication Date) - Penguin Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 18
Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry History
  • By Vikki Tobak
  • Hardcover
  • 388 pages
  • Imprint: Taschen
  • Hardcover Book
Bestseller No. 19
HIStory On Film Volume II [DVD]
  • Disc 1    , Program Start (Stereo) ( 0:09 ) , TEASER ( 3:57 ) , Billie Jean (From Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever) ( 5:04 ) , BEAT IT (Video) ( 5:06 ) , LIBERIAN GIRL ( 5:42 ) , SMOOTH CRIMINAL ( 9:35 ) , 1995 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS PERFORMANCE (Stereo) ( 15:24 ) , Thriller ( 14:01 )Disc 2    , SCREAM (Stereo) ( 4:57 ) , CHILDHOOD (THEME FROM "FREE WILLY 2")
  • English (Subtitle)
  • Audience Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)
Bestseller No. 20
Maestro Classics 12 CD Collection
  • Audio CD – Audiobook
  • Maestro Classics (Publisher)

When it comes to buying music history books, there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to get the best possible deal. The first thing you need to do is set a budget for yourself. Decide how much money you are willing to spend on a book before you start shopping. This will help you narrow down your choices and make sure you don't overspend. Keep in mind that many stores offer discounts for purchasing multiple books at once. So, if you're looking to buy more than one book, it's definitely worth checking the store’s discount policy.

Another option to get the best deal on music history books is to wait for sales. Major retailers will often have sales on popular titles a few times per year. By waiting for a sale, you can usually get a book at a significantly lower price than the regular retail price.

Finally, it is important to think about where you will be reading the book. If you plan on reading the book primarily at home, then it does not make sense to spend a lot of money on a hardcover edition. However, if you plan on traveling with the book or taking it to the beach, then spending a bit more money on a durable edition makes sense.

Here are a few tips to help you buy the best music history books:

  1. Look for well-reviewed music history books. Checking out what other readers have said about a book can give you a good idea of whether it's worth your time. You can find reviews online or in newspapers and magazines.
  2. Consider the author's reputation. If you're familiar with an author's other work and liked it, there's a good chance you'll enjoy their new book.
  3. Think about what you want to get out of the book. If you're looking for a light read, something funny, or a book that will make you think, you can narrow down your options by looking for books that fit those descriptions.
  4. Check the price. Sometimes, you can find great deals on new music history books. But be careful of cheaply made books, they might not be worth your money.
  5. Take a look at the return policy. Some online stores will not accept returns on certain items, so it's important to know what the policy is before buying anything.
  6. Ask for recommendations. Talk to your friends, family, and fellow book lovers to see if they have any suggestions.

By doing all of these things, you can be sure that you're getting the best possible deal on music history books when you shop online.