I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest opinion

If I had 178 pages to talk about Taylor Swift's life, I could probably do better than this. I feel the author knows what he's talking about, but just kept trying to insert himself into the narrative. Some of the anecdotes are not going to pull in the younger swifties, the only reason why I understood half of them is from my dad not letting anyone else touch the radio.
There were only a few paragraphs of TTPD, not even a chapter. Felt like he talked more about himself more than anything.

How i love being a swiftie 🥺 Happy release day to Heartbreak is the National Anthem, the perfect book for swifties of all ages. Thanks to @williammorrow for sending me a free early copy :)

This is honestly the cutest little book/gift for any swiftie in your life this year. Heartbreak is the National Anthem is written by Rob Sheffield. If you are a big Taylor Swift fan, then you know Rob is the journalist at Rolling Stone who often covers Taylor Swift's new releases, and more specifically, has made his list ranking all his favorite Taylor Swift songs. Heartbreak is the National Anthem explores Taylor's rise in the pop industry, her life, the biggest events of her career, and most importantly, her music and impact on the music industry.

From the first page, it is clear that Rob has so much love and appreciation for Taylor and the mark she has left on the world. In his analysis of each of his favorite songs (which can I say, absolute TASTE), Rob breaks down the lyrics and the correlating events in Taylor's life that may have caused her to write him, but more importantly, he describes the impact each song has had on so many people across the world.

It has always been obvious from Rob's coverage of each of Taylor's albums how much he respects her artistry, songwriting ability, and the absolute hold she has over the music industry, and this book makes her impact so clear. I loved how he threw in different key events throughout Taylor's career (the good and bad) that has led Taylor to where she is. So many chapters felt nostalgic as I too reminisced on each era and how each album has impacted me. I loved how Rob wasn't afraid to highlight some of Taylor's traits that may seem negative, but that make her the strong, powerful, legend she is. The organization did tend to feel a bit all over the place, but I loved how Rob stayed focused on discussing each of his favorite songs and important eras.

For a short book, this was an easy read and personally, I think a must read for any swiftie out there!!

As a Swiftie, I don’t always love reading what other people have to say about Taylor Swift’s artistry because I have my own opinions. Authors tend to focus on the lore or rumors instead of facts. But this book was just a joy to read! It was obvious that Rob is really part of the fanbase but also has a broader perspective of the impact of her art because of his knowledge of the music industry. I loved his interjection of her lyrics at times and his personal stories of being in her orbit. He really nailed all the ways she is unique as an artist and business woman. I’d recommend to any Swiftie or to any non-Swiftie that is curious about how she has collected the massive amount of fans that she has. I found myself smiling frequently while reading.

I have admired Rob Sheffield's writing and especially his care when reporting on Taylor Swift. Sheffield succeeds where many music writers fail when talking about Taylor Swift's career by giving a holistic view of her work and undeniable influence on culture. Most critics careen right past the work and dive into her omnipresent personal life, conflating the two while doing a disservice to both. Sheffield approaches this collection of essays as a fan but does lean perhaps a bit too far into setting an altar to Swift adorned with her own work. While the punny references can work for some people, they were a miss for me and I felt that it simply was not a book for an adult reader. As a former middle school reading teacher, I can tell the audience for this book is not me but this can be a great "Baby's First Criticism" for young Taylor Swift fans who aim to follow a writer's path in the future. This is a great pick for emerging readers who have musical interests.
Thank you to Dey Rey Street Books and Net Galley for an e-ARC of this title.

As a certified Taylor Swift stan I was super excited to read Heartbreak Is the National Anthem by Rob Sheffield. I have so many thoughts about this book. The first 30% of this book honestly really confused me. Who was this book written for? If a die hard Taylor Swift fan picked up this book they would not be learning anything new. If someone who knew nothing about Taylor Swift picked up this book they would not understand any of the hundreds of lyrical references and easter eggs that Sheffield was throwing in. Where I started to really feel engaged with this book was learning about Sheffields deep musical knowledge and how it applied to Taylor's songwriting and music choices. I really loved learning more background on Paul McCartney and Joni Mitchell and learning truly deep cut knowledge of comparisons of Taylor's songs and lyrics and how they were similar or paying tribute to different artists. If you're a huge Swiftie and interested in the layers under the lyrics and easter eggs this is a great resource and learning tool. I don't think you'll learn anything new about Taylor herself, but going beyond the lyrics and learning more music history is guaranteed in this book. I was really unsure about 1/3 of the way in, but once we got past all of the lyrics and basic history of her life - I really enjoyed this read! Thanks to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for this eArc.

Thank you Rob Sheffield ( @robbiesheff ), Dey Street Books( @deystreet ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Heartbreak is the National Anthem early (publishes November 12, 2024).

This book is an excellent overview of Taylor Swift’s career by a music journalist who knows his stuff—and Taylor. Each of her eras is expertly covered, along with deep dives into certain songs and events in her life.

I found it to be a quick read, and its focus on the industry and not the drama (although it’s mentioned) to be refreshing.

Definitely a must read for Taylor fans and a great gift for the holidays!

#HeartbreakistheNationalAnthem #NetGalley #RobSheffield #DeyStreetBooks

This is a book for music industry fans more than Taylor Swift fans. You aren't going to learn much about Swift in this book. Sheffield instead looks closely at her music and how it has changed the industry. He is a huge Swift fan, which shows as he dissects albums and lyrics. For those who don't know Swift too well, this is a book to be read with a library of her music nearby so you can stop and listen to each song as he talks about them. This book references 80's and 90's music which might be lost on younger fans. The appeal of this book will probably be limited and Swift fans might want to look elsewhere, but there are some great observations in this book

Great analysis of Taylor's cultural, musical and personal impact on the author's life. If you're a fan of Rob's writing you'll love this book!

Thanks to Del Street Books and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heartbreak Is the National Anthem by Rob Sheffield is, as the subtitle suggests, about how Taylor Swift reinvented pop music. Well, kinda. It's part exploration of her career, part lyric analysis, part media analysis, and a whole lot of personal anecdotes. Unfortunately, I just don't find this guy very interesting.

If this book lived up to its subtitle (and was organized in a way that made any sense), I think this would have been an interesting book! But it doesn't deliver on its subtitle, and it's not well thought out either. This was a big disappointment for me, unfortunately.

I am a huge Swiftie! Been a fan since 2006 when I first heard Tim McGraw! I was so excited to read this book! I feel like it was definitely a good summary of what’s she’s done in her career so far! I loved each era and his opinions of some songs!

Heartbreak Is the National Anthem is a perspective of Taylor's world and her impact on the world.

I am a huge Taylor Swift fan so naturally, I was very excited to read this. This book goes into Taylor's background and notable moments in her career. If you are a Taylor Swift fan I think this is a must-read for you. However, this is not a typical biography. You don't really learn anything new about Taylor Swift in this book. Mostly just focuses on how she changed pop music. I really enjoyed this one and it was a nice fast read.

Thank you so much Libro.FM, Dey Ray Street Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

Thank you so much to Dey Street Books for the advance copy!

This book will be out on November 12th.

"An eternal law of pop music: anything halfway cool that's ever happened is because teenage girls made it happen."

I have been a fan of Rob Sheffield ever since I was a tween and watching him on all the VH1 music shows. and reading his pieces in Rolling Stone, And I have been reading his books ever since his first book came out back in 2007. I trust his judgment and just fascinated by his music knowledge. What makes me love him even more than I do (besides his friendship with fellow RS journalist Brittany Spanos) is his love for Harry Styles and the leading lady of this review Taylor Swift.

Look I understand why people do not like Taylor Swift (and a lot of it has nothing to do with her herself), heck I even have my moments where I question my opinions towards her. But ultimately what always brings me back is her music. Specifically her lyrics. I am two years older than Taylor but I felt as if I grew up with her. I will admit she lost me in the Lover era because of "ME!", "London Boy" and "Paper Rings" but then "Folklore" dropped and brought me right back in.

This book dives into the Taylor background showcasing some notable moments but also talks about her lyrics, inspirations and connections to other songs. This is where Rob's music knowledge really shines especially in the New Romantics chapter. I think he could have even gone deeper talking more about her songwriting by album instead of pivot to talking about her current (but soon ending) Eras Tour. Which I will say, as an Evermore stan, I wanted him to talk more about the album and the songs and the production as opposed to talking about the performances from the Tour and ultimately digressing away from Evermore completely.

This book is for the longtime fan who wants to indulge in all things Taylor. And I like to think more Taylor fans respect Rob and his work and would appreciate the thoughts he had throughout the course of her career. I did learn a few new things that I don't believe I ever knew before such as Taylor essentially stealing a line from another performer's song for her anthem "All Too Well". I do feel as if Taylor does not get enough credit for her songwriting. Much like fellow pop icon Mariah Carey, Taylor is such a smart lyricists. And she somehow can make you connect to her feelings because we all have experienced similar feelings.

It is hard to imagine where Taylor goes from here. Rob himself even questions it in the beginning of the book, "How can she keep getting bigger? How can so many people keep hearing themselves in these songs?" I have no clue what Taylor does from here but you bet I will be on the ride to see what she does and what she has to say.

This book was a quick read (under 300 pages) and I recommend reading while listening to Taylor Swift (because duh)! If you are not a Swiftie, you probably would not enjoy this book BUT if you want to read a high level short biography of Taylor Swift to impress your kids, your partner or the water cooler, give this book a read!

"Heartbreak is the National Anthem" by Rob Sheffield is a love letter to Taylor Swift's music and career. Sheffield, a long-time music journalist for Rolling Stone, dives deep into Swift's discography, analyzing her lyrics and exploring her impact on popular culture. The book is filled with insightful observations and personal anecdotes from the journalist that offer a fresh perspective on Swift's work. As a Swiftie and avid reader, I was a bit disappointed.

I was book has no idea what it’s trying to be. Is it a biography? Is it a collection of essays? Is it a just deep dive into Swift’s discography? I liked that each chapter or essay could stand alone, but at the same time, it read like a really, really long magazine in which every article is about Swift.

While I appreciated the new perspectives on songs and lyrics, and the ties to other artists, albums, and musical phenomena (the connection between the “Dylan Thomas/Patti Smith” reference on TTPD and “White Horse?” Brilliant.), the book felt disorganized and a bit chaotic. I loved the chapters that provided new insight into Swift’s career moves and strategy (Sheffield wrote a great synopsis of the Kimye feud and advocated for the importance of Taylor’s Versions), but why nitpick individual songs on folklore without elaborating on the complexity of The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology in a whole chapter? I appreciated what Sheffield shared, but how he shared it sometimes came across as chaotic.

The worst part of all? I found that, by the end of it, Taylor seemed … annoying to me. I find it ironic that, as a male Gen X Swiftie, Sheffield has every opportunity to prove the exact opposite of societal norms and expectations of Swift; however, some of the lesser-known anecdotes and stories he included make Swift come off as a try-hard music nerd who is desperate for success. While I appreciated how he explained her inspiration from past artists and albums, music genres and styles, Sheffield seemed to get caught up in the inspiration rather than Swift’s innovation.

Additionally, some readers may find the writing style to be overly exuberant and lacking in critical analysis. I felt like every few chapters included some sort of story, name drop, or anecdote from Sheffield that reminded us that he knows Taylor Swift. Rather than elaborating about his stance on "reputation" redefining Taylor’s music, he discussed her living room, which is fine! But writing about how "reputation" came to be and what inspired it doesn’t clearly articulate how it reinvented pop music.

Overall, "Heartbreak is the National Anthem" is a good read for dedicated Swifties who want to gain a deeper understanding of their favorite artist's music. While it may not appeal to everyone, it offers a unique and passionate perspective on one of the most influential musicians of our time. Plus, it’s a quick read!

This was a book I was VERY excited about (huge Swiftie over here) so I was so happy to get to read it early. First of all, I loved Sheffield’s writing style so much. The guy can really turn a phrase and some of his Swiftian puns and lines were just fantastic. Second, this was just such a fun read as a fan. Going back and reflecting on all the different versions and eras of Taylor was such a lovely walk down memory lane. Sheffield talks about not only her impact on music, but society as well. I loved that it was a fair depiction of Taylor as well. Yes, there’s A LOT of praise in this book as expected, but he’s not afraid to call out some of her more cringe moments and mistakes throughout her career (he’s still kind about them though). Also, her personal life (of course) is brought up, but it all relates to her music and her career instead of leaning into the “long list of ex lovers” narrative. I think this is a great read for any Swiftie!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been a Swiftie for a long time, since around the time between Debut and Fearless, but up to this point, I’ve mostly avoided most Taylor Swift books, as most of the sources come secondhand and unaffiliated with Taylor (naturally, I’m very excited for her forthcoming Eras book, even if I find some of the social media discourse around irritating). But Heartbreak Is the National Anthem came with a lot of advanced buzz, and is by Rolling Stone music journalist Rob Sheffield, who I’ve encountered recently through reading some of his articles on Taylor, both on the Rolling Stone site and in RS’s recent collector’s edition magazine on Taylor. So, with that assurance, I dove in.
This book isn’t perfect, and will inevitably not please every fan, especially some of the more avid fans who know a lot of the information already. But having appreciated Sheffield’s insights on her tour and bite-sized nuggets on her songs in his recent song ranking, the book is very much an expansion of both articles and more. I definitely got Deja vu in places, as he uses the same language, especially in reference to the Eras Tour, describing it as “a journey through her past, starring all the different Taylors she’s ever been, which means all the Taylors that you’ve ever been.” But this succinctly describes Taylor’s connection with her fans, especially the ones who grew up with her, like I have (although I have not had the opportunity to see her live): each song, each album reflects a stage of her, and our lives that we are revisiting.
And Sheffield clearly knows his stuff musically, just as Taylor knows hers, and the book is at its best when it explores those connections. I admit to not being the most musically literate, so a lot of the scattered references went over my head, but I loved the chapter exploring the different songs Taylor has done covers of or shouted out in some way, from Beyonce to Stevie Nicks to Prince, along with commentary highlighting both lyrical and sonic parallels. I was also moved by the “New Romantics” chapter, which made connections to the movement in the 80s and how she paid tribute to them in the song, something I knew very little about prior to reading that chapter. And the chapter about Easter eggs unveiled a connection I had previously been unaware of: that Taylor had wanted to be some sort of detective, inspired by her love of crime shows. It makes sense when it’s all explained, and when you know how methodically she plans certain things. But even being in the know about her Easter eggs and about her love for true crime and whatnot, I never made the connection between the two.
But the book does suffer from some odd creative choices, both overall and here and there. Generally, I can’t blame Sheffield for forgoing the traditional chronological structure for a thematic one; I can understand why he might make certain choices, in order to discuss things like trends in her lead singles, or recurring themes like how “niceness” appears in her lyrics.
although there is still a mix of chronology in how some of the chapters are structured as well.But it can be jarring when he attempts to combine two tangentially related, or sometimes not-even related, things. This was especially apparent when it came to how he handled her “petty” or “villainous” moments, which were separated into two chapters, several chapters apart. A reference to Kim Kardashian’s friendliness with Olivia Rodrigo (and Taylor’s “feuds” with both) is followed up with a reference to Taylor’s alleged new songs about Kim, then a weird note about another song about alien abduction. I also felt like the “villain era” chapter was somewhat poorly conceived, as it discussed both her 2016 cancellation and her political inactivity in the same year. While it went into the motives as to why behind-the-scenes, and fought back against the double standards around why she was targeted, it was still weird seeing this being juxtaposed with Kanye’s pro-Trump stance, then pivoting again to Kanye vs. Taylor from a more “personal” side as new developments occurred, with both the release of the unedited phone call and, later the new TTPD songs, which felt much better referenced here than in the earlier chapter, although not after the political mess.
And another drawback is that, even going somewhat chronologically, Sheffield is very selective on what he chooses to zoom in on, which will either work or fail for you, depending on if you like his choices or not. I’m willing to forgive the scant mentions of TTPD, given the turnaround time in traditional publishing is long, although that is also the risk of writing and publishing anything about a living person who is still active in their field, when you’re not affiliated with them; your book will feel dated by the time it releases. Even some of the sentiments about the Eras Tour are no longer accurate, as she’s modified the setlist, and Evermore is no longer “the most Era of the Eras” on tour, when it’s now reunited with its sister, Folklore in an abridged set.
Shortcomings aside, however, I respect what Sheffield is trying to do, and feel he’s done his job in demonstrating why Taylor Swift is such an icon in the music industry. While clearly written for newer fans, if you happen to like his work and perspectives as a music journalist, and take into account some of the shortcomings of a book like this, an avid Swiftie will be able to enjoy it just as much and perhaps take away some new insights.

In Heartbreak Is the National Anthem, Rolling Stone journalist Rob Sheffield explores Taylor Swift’s remarkable rise and evolution as a songwriter and pop culture icon. Equal parts biography and memoir, this book is a love letter to Swift’s artistry, with Sheffield blending personal anecdotes alongside a thoughtful analysis of her career and the impact she's had on music and her fans.

As a longtime Swiftie, I found new insights throughout. The book isn’t a straightforward biography but rather a mix of reflections and snapshots of Swift’s career milestones, from pivotal albums to moments in pop culture. Sheffield weaves in his experiences—early listens, interviews, attending shows, and even his family’s encounters with Taylor—making it feel personal and intimate. It’s clear Sheffield is a fan, and his genuine admiration shines through without veering into idolization; he isn’t afraid to critique some of her weaker moments, adding an honest perspective that many Swifties will appreciate.

However, the book may not resonate with every Swift fan. Sheffield dives into Swift’s connections to music legends like Prince and David Bowie, making this a great read for fans of music history but perhaps overwhelming for those only seeking a straightforward look at Swift. His writing style is a bit free-form, skipping around in chronology, which gives the book a casual tone but may leave readers searching for a clearer structure. The latter half, especially, felt rushed and could have benefited from a more thorough look at how Swift’s more recent eras shaped her legacy.

Despite these slight structural hiccups, Heartbreak Is the National Anthem provides a nuanced look at Taylor Swift’s craft and impact on music, her fans, and even the wider pop culture landscape. Sheffield’s love for Swift’s music is palpable, making this an enjoyable read for Swifties and fans of music writing alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for the ARC copy of this book.

I knew I needed to read this one as soon as I saw it listed. I am glad that I did. Thank you for the opportunity to do so!

I’m a big Swiftie, so I was excited to pick up Heartbreak is the National Anthem by Rob Sheffield. Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. It was hard to follow and a bit all over the place.

Thanks to Dey Street Books and NetGalley for an eARC of the book.

Rolling Stone journalist Rob Sheffield takes a deep dive into Taylor Swift’s masterful craft of songwriting and superstardom. “Heartbreak Is the National Anthem” is equal parts about Taylor Swift and the author’s personal experiences with her/her music.

I am a true fan of Taylor Swift’s music, first having listened to “Our Song” on the radio on my bedroom floor as a teen, but even I learned so much from Sheffield’s book. The chapters are not in chronological or era order, but rather a smattering of different events in Swift’s career, from albums to specific songs to pop culture moments. He weaves in times he’s talked with Swift, first listened to new albums and attended the Eras Tour.

Disclaimer: This is a book for Swifties, but it is not a book for *every* Swiftie. It’s less for those who cling to the numerology conspiracy theories, more for those who read/listen to/know about musical and literary legends such as The Beatles, William Wordsworth, Prince, Michael Jackson, Emily Dickinson, David Bowie, Carole King, Stevie Nicks, etc. Sheffield is not afraid to call out Swift’s weaknesses when it comes to lyric choices or album singles, which some hardcore Swifties not like, but it gives the author credibility as a cultural commentator and music journalist. The author’s knowledge of music history and poetry is nothing short of incredible. “Heartbreak Is the National Anthem” is a true tribute to Swift’s own lyrical influences as well as her profound effect on pop culture.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Dey Street Books for an advanced copy of #HeartbreakIsTheNationalAnthem. To be published Nov. 12, 2024.

3 stars may be a bit much, I’m not sure.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy, which while I understand is an uncorrected proof, I expected at least the Taylor Swift lyrics to be correct- several of them throughout the book are quoted incorrectly. And I’m referring to the ones in direct quotation marks, not the ones randomly thrown in like normal sentence parts throughout the book. And there are *a lot*. This book is definitely an example of seeing how many Taylor Swift lyrics, from the well-known to the more obscure, one can use in a “normal” conversation/piece of writing. Not to mention the random sentence fragments that wouldn’t have been allowed past the roughest draft in high school English.

In short, I wanted to really like this book. I’m a huge Swiftie. And while this book did give me some insights and stories I hadn’t heard before, a lot of it was the author referring to other artists that the reader may or may not be familiar with, a lot of his opinion on her moves throughout her career, his interpretation of her lyrics, and honestly…not a lot about how she reinvented pop music in my opinion. I guess I expected it to be a bit more objective? So maybe that’s on me. But I’m not going to lie, I left the book wondering how this guy is considered one of the big names in music writing. The writing just…wasn’t that great.

But it’s a pretty easy read, not too long, so if you want a quick overview of the career of Taylor Swift targeted at an audience over the age of Scholastic book fairs, it’s not a bad choice. I’m just not sure it’s a good choice either.