Taylor's Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift

Taylor’s Version is an original and insightful exploration of Taylor Swift, one of the world’s biggest music stars, as taught at Harvard University. Written by award-winning literary critic Professor Stephanie Burt, the book charts Swift’s extraordinary journey from her teen country debut to her record-breaking achievements as the highest-grossing touring artist in the world. Based on Burt’s course Taylor Swift and Her World, this is the first serious study that foregrounds Swift’s talent as a songwriter, examining her artistry through the lenses of musical and cultural criticism, poetry, economic theory, and American history. The book delves into Swift’s life, her celebrity, and her craft, showing how her public and musical persona is both intimate and relatable, and highlighting the global community her work has fostered. Tracing her career through the Eras, Taylor’s Version offers a literary deep-dive into Swift’s unique genius, revealing the profound impact of her songs and demonstrating how music can change lives.