{"title":"Jeff Crosby","description":"\u003cp\u003eJeff Crosby's works invite readers into richly woven narratives often set against vivid cultural backdrops. His writing explores the intricate connections between place, identity, and the human spirit, offering a thoughtful journey through the landscapes of both the mind and the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the Arts \u0026amp; Culture category, Crosby's stories blend historical insight with literary craftsmanship, bringing to life characters that linger long after the final page. His books resonate with those who appreciate reflective storytelling grounded in a strong sense of time and atmosphere.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-spirit-in-the-sky-by-jeff-crosby-9781538188361","title":"The Spirit in the Sky","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShort bios of seventeen iconic musicians\u003c\/strong\u003e – from Dylan to Van Morrison to Tracy Chapman – showing how popular music influences the search for spirituality and helps reveal the transcendent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on more than five decades of attentive listening, Jeff Crosby explores how popular music has functioned as a form of “general revelation”—a way listeners encounter questions of God, purpose, justice, suffering, and hope beyond formal religious institutions. Through these engaging artist portraits, he examines how musicians across pop, rock, soul, folk, and R\u0026amp;B have articulated spiritual longing, wrestled with faith and doubt, and offered listeners imaginative resources for navigating their own interior lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEqual parts memoir, popular music criticism, and spiritual inquiry, the book invites readers to practice “deep listening” as a formative discipline. Each chapter concludes with curated playlists and recommended records that extend the conversation beyond the page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe artists range from globally celebrated figures, including Paul Simon, George Harrison, Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd, Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, to influential but less widely recognized voices such as Judee Sill, Mickey Newbury, Laura Nyro, Brooks Williams, and Chris Rea. Each chapter blends cultural history, lyrical interpretation, and personal reflection, showing how these artists’ work emerged from particular social, political, and religious contexts while continuing to speak powerfully to contemporary listeners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCrosby's deeply moving reflections suggest that soulful, attentive listening to music, whatever the genre, can open paths toward greater clarity, compassion, and grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48022122922220,"sku":"9781538188361","price":55.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781538188361-the-spirit-in-the-sky.jpg?v=1785288645"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/jeff-crosby.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}