I think the proper way to read this book would be to read for 10 minutes and listen to music for 30, so reading straight through, I probably only got 10% of what I should have, but it is enough to just get a glimpse into this amazing world of music and form. I don't think I'll ever fully appreciate music on the many levels in this book, but least I know that a conductor does more than wave a baton and make goofy gestures. But oh, what it would be like to appreciate and interpret music like this, I don't need a book to merely enjoy such a magnificent piece of work, but if reading makes me appreciate it just slightly more, it's totally worth it.