It should be stated clearly that this is not so much a book about music as a series of autobiographical fragments involving music in the author's life. Gollancz, who might be the epitome of the term "champagne socialism", is a man of strong views where music, and particularly opera, is concerned - I'm sure many people will dissent from his description of a certain well-loved soprano as "as dull as Melba", but even though he clearly believes in an absolute standard of values in classical music, I find he is able to make these judgements without causing offence. There are also some interesting insights into his political life, such as the story of how his wife, when they were visiting Austria in the 1930s, stayed awake at night to guard him against the risk she felt he ran (as a prominent antinazi) of being kidnapped from their hotel. His views on Wagner and fascism are also of great interest.I think most people interested in classical music will find this worth reading at least once, if not more. ( )