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Description
Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and AnecdotesStephen Sondheim has won seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and the Kennedy Center Honors. His career has spanned more than half a century, his lyrics have become synonymous with musical theater and popular culture, and in Finishing the Hat titled after perhaps his most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George Sondheim has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he is giving readers a rare
Stephen Sondheim has won seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and the Kennedy Center Honors. His career has spanned more than half a century, his lyrics have become synonymous with musical theater and popular culture, and in Finishing the Hat--titled after perhaps his most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George--Sondheim has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he is giving readers a rare personal look into his life as well as his remarkable productions. Along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981--including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd--Sondheim treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day. He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotes--filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details--transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come. Accompanying Sondheim's sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriter's personal collection. Penetrating and surprising, poignant, funny and sometimes provocative, Finishing the Hat is not only an informative look at the art and craft of lyric writing, it is a history of the theater that belongs on the same literary shelf as Moss Hart's Act One and Arthur Miller's Timebends. It is also a book that will leave you humming the final bars of Merrily We Roll Along, while eagerly anticipating the next volume, which begins with the opening lines of Sunday in the Park with George.Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
Published: 10/26/2010
ISBN: 9780679439073
Pages: 445
Weight: 3.22lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.44w x 1.11d
Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 10/31/2010 pg. 1
Entertainment Weekly 11/19/2010 pg. 103
New York Times Book Review 11/07/2010 pg. 42
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/05/2010 pg. 30
Entertainment Weekly 12/17/2010 pg. 82
New York Times Book Review 12/12/2010 pg. 10
Books & Culture 01/01/2012 pg. 25
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4.1 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
My dog’s new favorite
Size: 8 in, Color: Squirrel
didn’t expect much for the price but my dog actually loves this thing. It’s tough enough to hold up to regular chewing and the leather gives it a nice texture that’s different from the usual plush toys. He carries it around like it’s his prize. It’s not indestructible and if your dog is a heavy shredder it probably won’t last forever but for moderate chewers it holds up way better than a lot of toys I’ve tried. Definitely worth grabbing again.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2025
★★★★★ 4
Not for gnawers
Size: 11.5 in, Color: Bear
I was hoping this would work for my teenage ACD and save my leather goods from being chewed on.
He gnawed on it quietly I was thrilled. But I had to take it from him within a few minutes. Gnawing apparently equals chewing pieces off.
Not made for chewers or gnawers.
It seemed to be well made, was soft, was actually a fairly good size and didn’t get gross when it got spitty. Just didn’t work out for Captain chaos destructor of all.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Durable & Leather. For Small-Medium Dogs
Size: 15 in, Color: Retriever, Size: 15 in, Color: Retriever
This is a great dog toy! My Pomeranian is a small guy at only 8lbs. but he sure knows how to chew and he does it as often as he can. I was throwing out toy after toy because he was tearing them to pieces after only a half hour or so. After putting my money in the garbage so many times, I decided to search for toys that would hold up to his destructive mouth. I found a lot that claimed they wouldn't fall apart but they were all more than I wanted to spend. I came across this toy and a rabbit shaped one just like this. I bought both months ago and both are still in tact after all this time. Sure the edges are a little frayed but other than that, no damage whatsoever! I'm not sure what dura fused means but that seemed promising to me when I was reading the description, also the fact that they're leather made them seem more durable to me. Both have squeakers inside and some sort of stuffing as well. I throw all of my dogs toys in the laundry or hand wash them once a week, except for these. When these toys get wet with my dogs saliva, they look like they're not meant to get wet. Even without washing, these seem fine. This toy is probably about 9" long or so if I had to guess. In my opinion, it'd be perfect for a medium sized dog. It's a tiny bit big for my little guy but he manages just fine! If you're looking for a durable toy that your small to medium dog can chew on constantly, look no further!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
★★★★★ 5
Always looking for less destructible dog toys
Size: 8 in, Color: Squirrel, Size: 8 in, Color: Squirrel
I am constantly searching for aggressive chewer dog toys. So many claim to be and one look and you know they haven’t met your dog!! Our golden retriever is so sweet until he gets his claws and teeth into a new toy. We nicknamed him the shredder, as he rips his new toys to pieces. I accidentally stumbled across this toy. We have never owned a leather dog toy. The squirrel is going to give Maverick a run for his money. The edges are double sewn closed. I am very impressed with the quality of this toy for $5.75 which includes the sales price and an additional 10% off coupon. Even without those two incentives the toy is less than $8 prime. The other shapes are similar or cheaper in price and now I see a 50% off 1 toy coupon when you buy 2. What a deal and the squirrel has a squeaker inside. What I like about the squirrel is that there’s less limbs or appendages for Maverick to shred off. The bunny has ears, the raccoon has hands, the buffalo has legs, the bone and retriever stick have a rope, the bear has a neck and head that could be chewed off, similar to the fox who has a tail and snout. The squirrel looks like it would be harder to destroy! The squeaker was hard to push at first but is easier now. Maverick has a black lab sister who loves squirrels, more so than she loves toys, and I found this toy searching for squirrel toys for her. It is offered in 8 other shapes. The squirrel measures almost 8” tall by 5” wide. It’s perfect for a medium or large size dog. Based on the construction of this squirrel dog toy it looks acceptable for an aggressive chewer and won’t break the bank. It’s very affordable. Always supervise! Updates to follow at Christmas:). BTW, the squirrel did not smell bad upon opening.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
★★★★★ 4
Puppy loves it. Well built and fun for her to play with.
Size: 15 in, Color: Retriever
My double doodle mix loved this toy. It is well made and she loves the different texture of the rope. Sadly she has already torn the rope apart and so now it’s just the leather part. This would be the perfect toy for non agressive chewers. Wish the rope lasted a little longer. SPOT is my new favorite company to get her chew toys from now. They’re well built and aren’t expensive like all the other dog toys out there.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2025