This has been such an enjoyable series to review. The letters are unfailingly interesting, although this one features some inclusions that are less about music than musicians and their subjects, such as a pair of short missives between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen at the end of their lives. From Keith Richards' exuberant report to his aunt that he had begun playing music with Mick Jagger to Helen Keller's experience of Beethoven's 9th at the NYSO to the world's most pretentious Beatles fan (anonymous, regrettably) berating Nike for daring to use "Revolution" in a commercial, the letters are are a quick and delightful distraction from real life.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great collection of letters covering over two centuries and myriad genres of music which, in many cases, show insight into the human behind the genius. It's a quick read (and hard to put down, once you get started), but there are some great gems that deserve a bit more of a ponder. Several musicians -- new to me -- sounded intriguing enough that I made note to track down their works.

[I read a pre-pub version, so I hope the editors will be doing a bit more work. There were lots of typos, including elimination of nearly every occurrence of "ff" and "ft," turning such words as "after" to "aer," and "offering" to "oering."]