Distinguished American author, Barrymore Laurence Scherer, leads the reader through an enthralling history, illustrating the importance of not only renowned names, such as Gershwin, Coplnad, Bernstein, Joplin and Sousa, but also of those formerly in the shadows, such as William Henry Fry and Alan Hovhaness. And, of course, we even step into Broadway for that most American step-child of opera: the musical. This development, tracked largely by key composers, is set against America's tempestuous history, putting neatly into context the achievements of the time.