SKU: 22279853204

Biography of a Phantom

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Description

Biography of a PhantomBy: Robert Mack McCormick The drama of In Cold Blood meets the stylings of a Coen brothers film in this long lost manuscript from musicologist Robert Mack McCormick, whose research on blues icon Robert Johnson's mysterious life and death became as much of a myth as the musician himself "This is a human and humane book, an insightful exploration of the biographers craft. [] McCormicks book makes you feel what we lost when Johnson died young." New York

By: Robert Mack McCormick     
The drama of In Cold Blood meets the stylings of a Coen brothers film in this long-lost manuscript from musicologist Robert “Mack” McCormick, whose research on blues icon Robert Johnson's mysterious life and death became as much of a myth as the musician himself

"This is a human and humane book, an insightful exploration of the biographer’s craft. [...] McCormick’s book makes you feel what we lost when Johnson died young." —New York Times

"Reads like noir fiction. It's a detective story riddled with fatalism and ambiguity carried out by someone who, like the archetypal noir hero, isn't a detective but an ordinary guy in a dismal, often violent setting searching for what can't be found." Wall Street Journal


When blues master Robert Johnson’s little-known recordings were rereleased to great fanfare in the 1960s, little was known about his life, giving rise to legends that he gained success by selling his soul to the devil. Biography of a Phantom: A Robert Johnson Blues Odyssey is musicologist Mack McCormick's all-consuming search, from the late 1960s until McCormick’s death in 2015, to uncover Johnson's life story. McCormick spent decades reconstructing Johnson's mysterious life and developing theories about his untimely death at the age of 27, but never made public his discoveries. Biography of a Phantom publishes his compelling work for the first time, including 40 unseen black-and-white photographs documenting his search.

While knocking on doors and sleuthing for Johnson's loved ones and friends, McCormick documents a Mississippi landscape ravaged by the racism of paternalistic white landowners and county sheriffs. An editor's preface and afterword from Smithsonian curator John W. Troutman provides context as well as troubling details about McCormick’s own impact on Johnson’s family and illuminates through McCormick’s archive the complex legacy of white male enthusiasts assuming authority over Black people’s stories and the history of the blues.

While Johnson died before achieving widespread recognition, his music took on a life of its own and inspired future generations. Biography of a Phantom, filled with lush descriptive fieldwork and photographs, is an important historical object that deepens the understanding of a stellar musician.
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SKU: 22279853204

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Kellie Landrum
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 1
Flimsy and cheap screws
Screws snapped off when I tried to drill htem in and no matter how I try to get the leg pieces in they will NOT stay. Falls apart, screws snap off, the middle axle holes arent even lined up so you cant install one of the pieces in the first place.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2025
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Christina Lim
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy to assemble. Works well. Looks nice.
Color: Light Grey, Color: Light Grey
Works for what we need. Easy to put together. Diagram provided was clear. One of the lil screws didn't fit perfectly, but it works well enough. Came with all the lil tools you need to assemble. Product frame is sturdy and hardware (seems heavy duty enough, metal and not plastic) all fits together very nicely. Would buy again if i need another one.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025
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Chris
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Great for temporary office
Color: Light Grey
Why did you pick this product vs others?: Great way to divide a room for two wfh offices
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Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2025
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Kindle Customer
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great value!
Color: Light Grey
I purchased this for a divider in the sanctuary of our church. Making a private prayer corner.. It is way better than expected. Follow direction . When you make the "M" shape put close together. I had the letter tops to far apart and it complicated things. Otherwise it was awesome. Would definitely buy another one if needed
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Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2025
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QTEE
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 1
NO DELIVERY DO THEY EVEN HAVE THE PRODUCT TO SELL??
Size: 5 Panels, Color: Grey
There is a problem with the Seller delivering on the products sold. Or someone is selling on behalf of the seller and not being able to deliver. Purchased 3-part panels used no problem, and are nice, but we also needed the 5-panel divider. which has been promised twice for delivery and NOT delivered without explanation. We'll have to send the other back as we'll need something that match.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026

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