Colin Roust has written an extraordinary biography of an extraordinary man. Beautifully organized and elegantly written, Roust's clear judgment, original and exhaustive research, and formidable understanding of musical life in twentieth-century France pervade this magisterial volume. This book will fascinate all those who love French music of the last century. It will especially appeal to those interested in film music. The author's research into the state of French
art and society during the Second World War makes for gripping reading. Indeed, Roust has done a great service to all readers, musical or otherwise, who seek to understand in greater detail the turbulent history of France in the twentieth century.
Dr. Colin Roust is Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Kansas. His research interests include twentieth-century music, film music, music history pedagogy, music and politics, and the intersection of music and the other arts in multimedia genres. He is also a co-editor of The Routledge Film Music Sourcebook and co-translator of William Ritter: Studies of Foreign Art.