“This is now possibly the best first stop for learning about Elgar’s life ... On the complex yet sympathetic genius himself Harper-Scott presents a well-detailed and believable likeness.” BBC Music Magazine June 2007 “Few general studies of this composer offer so much food for thought. Harper-Scott has digested what seems to be the whole of the Elgar literature and then some. That he is able to address so many of the key issues in Elgar scholarship today - politics, Empire, religion, nostalgia, sexuality and other, less contentious topics - with concision and common sense is deeply impressive. ... He's an unusually perceptive and persuasive advocate, who has something fresh to say about most of the composer's major works. ...the best short book on the composer yet.” Gramophone October 2007 “Small but perfectly constructed book. ...fascinating.” Sunday Express July 2007 “Harper-Scott is a forceful, engaging writer, and as both a biography and a musical appraisal, this book is compelling reading.” MUSO Jun/Jul 07