This well-written survey of the evolution of American folk music includes brief explanations of how folk music is created as well as descriptions of folk instruments and biographies of folk singers and instrumentalists. An unusual feature [of The Story of Folk Music] is the inclusion of instructions on how to make some simple musical instruments at home and compose one's own songs…. [It is an] extremely interesting book on a very popular subject. (p. 54)

Beverly B. Youree, in School Library Journal (reprinted from the November, 1976 issue of School Library Journal, published by R. R. Bowker Co. A Xerox Corporation: copyright © 1976), November, 1976.

[Considering the scope and beauty of the work, The Story of Folk Music] is only necessarily superficial. [Berger's] information on the pathways of folk music, on its relationship to formally composed music, on popular instruments, and on twentieth-century American musicians is all reputable and easy to absorb…. One may quibble with Berger's statement that "more people than ever before are listening to, singing, and composing folk songs," especially since the appended bibliography-discography argues the reverse quite well. (p. 603)

Booklist (reprinted by permission of the American Library Association; copyright 1976 by the American Library Association), December 15, 1976.