Early on in this review, I said, "Fifty words into the dust jacket summary, it says
the story of the Delta blues 'is largely a myth.'"

It was when I was reading of the apparent break between Lomax father and son when I finally concluded that the work was incomplete. It was also the point when realization set in on why the author said that the story of Delta blues is largely a myth. This part of the book recounts the deepening chasm between father and son Lomax while describing John's dismay with son Alan that he was pursuing not pure blues, but manufactured blues. John felt that his son Alan had lost sight of the goal, or what should be his goal, or perhaps not readily recognized his true goal, and had gone down a side road, so to speak. John felt that Alan had been led astray, either by himself or by others, and failed to recognize that what he was following was not what he should be following. Rather, he was following a studio creation rather than the real thing.

This is when it all became clear to me exactly what the author was driving at, and it was also when I began to appreciate her myth claim.

I think Hamilton should consider completing the book; I see it as excellent work, so far, but as a work still in progress.