My guest today is Michael Owen, whose recent book Ira Gershwin—A Life in Words is the first full-length biography devoted to the other Gershwin. In this book, Owen at last brings Ira Gershwin out from behind the long shadow cast by his younger and more famous brother, George.

Drawing on extensive archival research, Owen often uses Ira’s own words to create a captivating portrait of a shy and retiring artist who, nevertheless, penned the words for many of the greatest songs of the twentieth century.

Michael Owen is a historian, researcher, and archivist. He is the author of Go Slow — The Life of Jule London and the editor of The Gershwins Abroad.

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