I have several guides to classical music in my library. Four general guides ones on concertos, chamber, choral and opera. But this is my favorite to browse through--as you could tell from the battered condition of the book, and all the underlined lines and dog-eared pages. It's organized primarily by composer, ordered by date of birth, from Antonio Vivaldi to Hans Werner Henze. I just find Mordden so readable and this book so user friendly and a great introduction to classical music. ( )