Beethoven needs no introduction. There are already plenty of accounts of his life and work, and there will undoubtedly be no shortage of hefty biographies to mark his 250^th birthday. If you would prefer a more concise way to learn about this musical giant, then this well-regarded miniature by Beethoven conoisseur Paul Wiegler is the perfect choice. He sketches the life of the tragic maestro in a few swift strokes – with an engaging literary style and great subject knowledge. Over 150 colour images illustrate a career of that played out between Bonn and Vienna, Teplitz and Baden, Berlin and Prague, and brought us the Ode to Joy and so much more besides.