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The life of a nation is told by the lives of its people
- Over 19,000 biographies of significant, influential or notorious figures from American history written by prominent scholars
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What's new: January 2021
This update features nine new biographies of major figures in the history of American music. It includes superstar Mexican American singers Selena, Lalo Guerrero, and Jenni Rivera; Chuck Berry, widely recognized as an early creator of rock and roll; “At Last” singer Etta James; country legends Glen Campbell, Eddy Arnold, and Buck Owens; and guitar innovator Les Paul.
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Selena
Selena (1971–1995), known as the Queen of Tejano Music, achieved a level of superstardom that rivaled any artist in the history of Latin music. Her hit albums Ven Conmigo (1991), Entre a Mi Mundo (1992), which contained her signature song “Como la flor,” and Amor Prohibido (1994) revolutionized the genre. Her career and influence were on a dramatic ascent when she was murdered by the founder of her fan club at age 23. An outpouring of public grief occurred in the aftermath, a recognition of her role as a key figure of Latino/a popular music and culture in the United States and abroad.
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