Leonard Bernstein

Allen Shawn is a composer, pianist, educator, and author who lives in Vermont and teaches composition and music history at Bennington College. His previous books include Arnold Schoenberg’s Journey and Twin: A Memoir.

“Excellent.”—David Denby, New Yorker“An engrossing portrait of a gifted—and conflicted—man.”—Jerusalem Post“An authoritative work exploring the personal and professional aspects of a musical genius whose compositional gifts were often underestimated at the time.”—Anne Sarzin, J-Wire“There were, and are, critics who believe that Bernstein’s facility and fecundity was merely dilettantism. Allen Shawn’s suave new biography hopes to give them pause.”—Christopher Bray, The Spectator“Immensely valuable as a concise study of a major figure; sympathetic in its account of his life and its artistic and social context, and illuminating in its critical judgements.”—Anthony Burton, BBC Music“I can’t imagine a better biography of Leonard Bernstein. His intensity, complexity, and personal charm come across fully; so do his manifest importance to twentieth-century American culture and his intimate relation to the music he produced. Bravo!”—Wendy Lesser