A remarkable bandleader, composer and clarinetist, Artie Shaw's popularity defined the American music scene between the years of 1938-1945. Apart from his work during the Swing Era, Shaw led a fascinating, tumultuous personal life, including a difficult childhood and marriages to starlets such as Lana Turner and Ava Gardner. This biography covers Shaw's life and career, and is based in part on interviews with Shaw conducted by the author during the 1970s and 1980s. Chapters cover such topics as the Swing Era, his time performing in the Navy during WWII and the Shaw Orchestra. Some analytic chapters dig deeper into the meaning behind his recordings, highlighting the growth within his music.