Eddie Duchin's son Peter has come to represent an era that was nearly passed when he started providing dance music for debutante balls and parties. Born into privilege, he became virtually an orphan due to his mother's death when he was only a few days old, and the nature of his father's life as a band leader before succumbing to leukemia at the age of 41. Peter, however, was raised not by family as would be usual in this case, but by Averell and Marie Harriman in castle-like surroundings, and thus counted as his friends many well-known people such as Jimmy Stewart, George Plimpton, and Peter Beard and many others, defined as "good friends." Not a memoir in the usual sense, this book begins with a hilarious, embarrassing account of his first venture outside after suffering a stroke in 2013. Weaving between past and future, Duchin tells his story, featuring his quest post-stroke of trying to learn the lives of his parents and of them as flesh and blood, their personalities and influences, since he knew them only as two-dimensional black and white images. But beyond the parties and social experiences, he gives possibly the most graphic account of his experience with Covid-19, suffering 46 days of intubation. He's had a full life, but more than just a charming sophisticate at a piano, he has a big heart, finding gratification in charitable endeavors. Some lovely photographs accompany the text -- this is a stunning, generous sharing of a life.

I received an advance copy of, Face the Music by, Peter Duchin and Patricia Beard. I have never heard of Peter Duchin before, he seemed to live a great life until his stroke. I though Peter was a self centered, I did not care for him.

I read Peter Duchin’s earlier memoir, GHOST OF A CHANCE, and enjoyed it as both a personal story and a social history. The son of Eddy Duchin, Peter has lived a life that touched so many important, historical giants, of the past years. I felt this was an opportunity to catch up on the events of the last years and recall the stories I found so fascinating.

It did not disappoint. Sadly, Duchin has careened from health crisis to health crisis, not even being spared a bout with Covid. He has used the time to delve into the lives of his parents. His mother died within days after his birth, while his father was aloof and largely absent.

Though the earlier book had more depth in exploring the lives of others, this memoir was more personal and compelling. As a New Yorker I have seen his name associated with every major society event during the last 50 years.

I truly enjoyed this opportunity to revisit the life of Peter Duchin. I plan to reread both his earlier memoir and that of his former wife, who is absent from this piece. Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity. I truly enjoyed this.

A wonderful warm open memoir.Peter Duchin a member of New York High Society when it really glittered in New York.He was Society’s bandleader he was friends with everyone in The Who’s who of society ,stars of Hollywood he has friends all over the world.From the Jackie Kennedy toGeorge Plimpton Truman Capote and on& on.Then as he ages he suffers a. Serious stroke then COVID.He is a fighter recovers and back to enjoying life.This is a real look at New York when the Society Dames like Pat Buckley,William Buckley’s wife and her group ruled,I loved this wonderful read going back in time to big bands debs and the king of society bands takes us on this nostalgic trip.#netgalley #doubledaybooks