“What is interesting about this book? First, each chapter focuses on one genre of music—classical music…Second, this book highlights the benefits of music in the study of international history… This kind of aesthetics is less studied because of its seemingly apolitical nature. This book shows that music is not the “dessert,” but “the meat and the potatoes” (Buzzanco [2000], quoted by Fosler-Lussier, 119). In short, it nourishes our understanding of international history. IR scholars, especially rationalists or structural realists of IR, should read Music and International History in the Twentieth Century.” · International Dialogue, A Multidisciplinary Journal of World Affairs “Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited,... Music and International History in the Twentieth Century is the seventh volume in the outstanding Berghahn Books Explorations in Culture and International History series…a seminal work of collective scholarship that should be a part of every professional and academic library 20th Century Music History reference collection and supplemental studies reading list.” · Midwest Book Review“Jessica Gienow Hecht…has immersed herself in the study of classical music and examined its history in the modern international context. But the excellent contributions to this volume suggest that she is not alone.” · Akira Iriye, Harvard University“…this is a valuable, thought-provoking anthology that is a strong addition to the burgeoning literature on culture and foreign relations.” · Laura Belmonte, Oklahoma State University
