I love this book. Anybody who loves the piano will. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to somebody who didn't play, but fellow pianists: READ THIS! Rosen discusses anything you'd want to know. He talks about the structure of the instrument itself, the sound of it and its effect on people, among other things. A nice touch is the way he includes small sections of pieces as a score to demonstrate his points. He even delves into the world of recording - I personally had no idea how much went into recording a piece. Everything matters - the acoustics, the stool, even the curtains in the room! I'm definitely going to be buying Rosen's other books. He is a sensitive author who knows when his opinions should be expressed and when to hold back. He also has many great anecdotes about his lifestyle - the life of a concert pianist is harder than some would think! Please, anybody who plays the piano or has a deep love for it, buy this book and you will be enlightened. I haven't got a bad word to say about it...but maybe I'm biased being a keen pianist myself!