Louis Armstrong was not only a virtuoso musician, singer, composer and actor, but also a dedicated writer who carried a typewriter with him on his constant travels around the globe, turning out hundreds of letters and reminiscences. The man never stopped creating. His unique verbal, musical and visual content and style permeated everything he touched.

Included in this career biography are the major events of his life, his artistic innovations and cultural achievements, a detailed survey of his recordings and live performances, and in-depth discussions of his screen performances--not only Hollywood feature films but short films, European concert films, and dozens of television shows.