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.

I would like to thank Dey Street Books and Net Galley for the chance to read this as an ARC. This is a quirky kind of book to review. It is written as as series of short takes on different albums and ideas in Taylor Swift's musical life. The chapters are short and do not always follow a chronological order. The author is a writer for Rolling Stone and many of the chapters feel like a short article, rather than part of a continuing story. There is a lot of information, it just doesn't all hang together all that well. I consider myself a fan, but I think you need to be a bit more devoted to Taylor Swift to get all the references. All in all, it was well written and enjoyable to read.

Full disclaimer, I am a barely-Swiftie and have enjoyed Folklore, Evermore & Midnight. The reason I was so interested in this book was for the author. Love is a Mixtape is one of my all-time favorites.
I really enjoyed this look into Taylor. I know she’s talented, but exploring her talent at this level really showed me how brilliant she is. For example, her purchasing her catalogue which everyone thought she was silly for but she ended up flourishing. It’s also interesting how with Taylor’s version we see her older self show in the lessons she’s learned over the year.
Now, I am going to analyze some T Swift.
Must read for the Swifties, but very interesting to music lovers.

This is such a thorough and fun look at Taylor Swift over the years. I appreciated Rob's perspective and details that he included. Anyone interested in an informative look at Swift's career will enjoy this.

I was really excited about this book when I heard about it. Rob Sheffield is one of the most consistent interviewers that Taylor has had during her career. What makes this book special though is the combination of his experience as a journalist with her combined with the fact that he himself is a fan. It is very clear in this book that Rob is a fan who has the utmost respect for both Taylor and for her art.

The first half of the book was great for me. I thought it was interesting, well written, and addressed some of the things that I have always felt are important - that Taylor often writes in a way to make her music feel relatable and important to others. She writes so that lots of people can identify with her music and can interpret it how they feel fit, but that at the end of the day these songs are about her or versions of her and not about some guy she dated. I really appreciated this view and the way he explained all of it. The book held up for me until around the chapter on 1989. After that, something changed and it felt like the second half was rushed through, quickly written and the once thoughtful analysis gone. It gave me the same feelings of me in school when I was bullshitting my way through the end of a paper just so I could turn it in on time. It was frustrating that the once thoughtful analysis that loudly wanted everyone to know these were songs about Taylor and characters of Taylor that she created turned into a very quick chapter that resolved that TTPD is about a combo of Joe Alwyn, Travis Kelcie and Matty Healy. I have always understood TTPD to use romantic muses as a basic red herring that if you ignore pronouns and mentions of romantic love the album is mostly about Taylor, her relationship with her fans, relationship with fame, mental health, etc. so to see such thoughtful analysis turn to basic paternity testing was disappointing.

That said, if you’re a fan of Taylor Swift and her music, I still think this book is worth reading, the first half was great, even if the second felt thrown together, disorganized and basic. 3/5 stars

This is so perfect for a swiftie fan. All the taylor swift 's popular songs are used as the chapters' name and numerous facts and information are included in this book that are so thoughtful and well penned that reading those was an amazing experience. It's so perfect for a swiftie like me. I absolutely love this.

Really passionate overview of the Taylor Swift phenomenon. Although some of the points may be a bit overstated, it's an interesting glimpse at a significant cultural moment.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

There is no doubt that Taylor Swift is currently the biggest pop star in the world.
But what sets her apart from other artists? What makes her so unique? In "Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music", Rob Sheffield takes us on a journey through Taylor's outstanding career and gives great insight into both her music and her cultural impact. I enjoyed the book immensely and recommend it not only to Swifties, but to music enthusiasts in general.

To be honest, I don't even remember ever requesting this book. I don't read Memoirs or non fiction anything. I feel as though I can not rate this book fairly due to that.

My thanks to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for an advance copy of this book that looks at the impact that one singer has had on the music industry, the tourist industry, home crafters, and legions of fans who sing a long and more importantly feel that someone, somewhere cares about them.

Years ago I worked at a magazine where I became good friends with a young lady, ten years younger than I was was, just getting out of college and with her whole life in front of her. Drama, however was her reality. Nothing was ever minor, it was all major, heartaches family problems, everything was a Wagner opera, never Gilbert and Sullivan. I was her trusted advisor. I never sighed, around her, just let her vent about everything, gave her peanut butter filled pretzels and chocolate, while listening. Going to lunch one day she played a new album, Fearless by a singer I had never heard of. I was out of music at the time, film soundtracks, soundscapes, electronica that was my jam, with jazz tossed in. What struck me in the short ride was that the two songs I heard going, and the one longer song back seemed to be about my friend. She felt this too, singing along with an abandon that I only saw when complaining about boys and throwing rocks at them.This album, this artist knew what my friend was thinking, for she had done the same. Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with, a musician, who never takes the easy route, in songs, in life nor love. Living her life has changed the industry, making fans loyal to a degree unseen in music, making women want to become musicians, and making people want to stay alive. Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music is written by long time music writer at Rolling Stone magazine Rob Sheffield, and is a look at the power the majesty the performance, and the heart that makes Taylor Swift what she is.

Rob Sheffield is 6'5, has been critiquing music for magazines for over 30 years, has written books about David Bowie, Duran Duran, and dealing with loss with songs, and is an unabashed Taylor Swift fan. Honestly at the end of this book, one would be hardpressed not to be. Sheffield looks at all facets of the Taylor Swift phenomena from her songs, her tours, her look, her cats, boyfriends, and even feuds. Sheffield travels through time, talking about how he first became interested in Swift's music, before exploring how Swift past and how Swift became interested in music. Sheffield discusses the numerous shows that he has gone to, personal interactions with the star, and even his family's interactions telling about how Swift stopped to talk to his nieces before going on stage. Sheffield looks at influences, and about Swift's song writing process, touching on what was happening in Swift's life that might have lead to this song, or that song. This is not a hagiography, as Sheffield is quick to point out things that Swift has done wrong, feuds, not discussing elections, feuds, more feuds. Also a bit about cats.

What I liked most about this book is the fact that Rob Sheffield does not care what you think about Taylor Swift. Sheffield is a fan, and he explains why. Not many books can look at songs, and give detailed experiences listening to them. Going to superfund sites in Brooklyn to listen to songs on repeat. Even sitting in Swift's apartment to hear a pre-release to be sure it didn't get out early. Sheffield is not just a fan of the music, but of the person. The mistakes she makes are balanced by the love she has for her fans. Putting message in songs, codes to figure out things for people who like that stuff. And her lack of fear of trying new things. Some would be content to sail on with a successful formula, Swift like Bowie, like Prince, wants to be ahead. Unlike the others though Swift has not reached that Tin Machine level like Bowie, or symbol name of Prince. After reading this I doubt she ever will.

I really enjoyed this book. I can now appreciate the person behind the songs, and even like songs. I must admit Coney Island is a song that I listen too. And Cardigan. So maybe I am a Swift, not yet a Swiftie. This is a great book for fans, and even for people who like to read about music. I wish I knew how my friend was doing. Part of her finding herself was moving west and not looking back. I hope she still has Taylor Swift to help her get through things.

Dey Street Books provided an early galley for review.

While I am certainly familiar with Swift's albums over the years (I was intrigued right from her debut), I would in no way consider myself a Swiftie. As for Sheffield's work, I have read a number of his books over the years so I consider him an entertaining author. The combination was enough for me to check this one out.

From the book it is clear that Sheffield is a huge fan as well as someone who has interacted with Swift many times over her career. He demonstrates his knowledge of her work as he walks readers through each of her albums with extra focus on several of his favorite tracks. We also get the biographical information, for those of us readers who are not up on all the details.

In the end, this book gave me a very strong urge to revisit her catalog myself with a much sharper ear.

I've been a fan of Rob Sheffield's writing for years, since his first memoir. What I appreciated most is his approach to his subjects as a fan first and a journalist second - he doesn't forget why he loves the art as he's stripping it down and explaining it. I'm not a huge fan of Taylor Swift but I'm definitely more interested in her back catalog now after reading Sheffield. I plan to purchase this title for my library.

A very sad DNF. I am a HUGE Swiftie, have been since I was 12, and I was so excited to read this! Unfortunately, it’s really disjointed and unorganized. It’s a collection of thoughts- not a cohesive story or book.

This book was written by Rob Sheffield, a reporter for Rolling Stone, who has been reporting on Taylor since her early years. The book was interesting, learning about the background of certain albums, and songs. It covered some of the highs and lows in Taylor's career, such as her infamous feud with Kanye, and Kim, including the night at the 2009 VMA's.

The book did have quite a bit of the author's opinion in it, and many references comparing Taylor to other music artists, such as Paul McCartney, and The Beatles. It was an enjoyable quick read for a Taylor fan, but I personally wish there was a bit more cohesiveness and less opinion.

I am a Rob Sheffield fan. It has been quite a few years since I read "Love is a Mixed Tape, but I still find myself thinking about it sometimes. I am only willing to try signing karaoke in front of a group because I read his book "Turn Around Bright Eyes".
You can imagine excited I was to find that he had written a book about Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift is my personal project for 2024. I listen to the radio and I enjoy music but I have never invested the time needed to really get to know her work. As a sometimes country music listener, I remember when she broke through in 2006 and I have followed her ever since, but I am still not what you would call a Swiftie.

I was delighted by this book. I am delighted by Rob and his enthusiasm for Taylor Swift. Reading this book has made my September better in every way. He taught me about Taylor Swift. Thorough him, I am learning about her music and her personal tells. He has taught me that Taylor is savvy and swift. She was raised to have a good business sense. Taylor does nothing my accident, except when she takes that bait. She is human and often she goes overboard.
He has helped guide me toward the "must listen" songs and the ones I can skip. He has been a guide to help me get over my fear of her "more indie" albums. He has helped me see that Taylor is more than the Madonna of her time. He has shown me that she is influencing an entire generation of young women who are independent and in touch with their emotions and abilities. He can't wait to see what these young women do when they grow up.
I feel that every library will benefit by adding this to its collection as he is ostensibly the Taylor Swift scholar/ writer/ super fan of his time.