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Shortest History
The Shortest History of Music
'Wonderful... as erudite as it is enjoyable; as riveting as it is revelatory'
Clemency Burton-Hill
'Although music is as intrinsic to human life as the air we breathe, we must never fall for the line that it is a universal language. Music is neither universal, nor a language.'
From an infant's first experimental sounds to the voice of Elvis – via Hildegard of Bingen, Beethoven and bebop – The Shortest History of Music sets out to understand what exactly music is, and why humans are irresistibly drawn to making it.
Ranging across millennia, Andrew Ford explores music's great writing it down and recording it; paying for it and making it modern. With brilliant insight, he traces the story of the symphony and the opera, blues and jazz; the oral traditions of folk singers and chain gangs; and the lives of the greats – Bach and Mozart, Clara Schumann and Schoenberg, Charlie Parker and Nina Simone.
From lullabies to national anthems, songlines to streaming, this is a sparkling account of what music has meant at different times and in different places.
Clemency Burton-Hill
'Although music is as intrinsic to human life as the air we breathe, we must never fall for the line that it is a universal language. Music is neither universal, nor a language.'
From an infant's first experimental sounds to the voice of Elvis – via Hildegard of Bingen, Beethoven and bebop – The Shortest History of Music sets out to understand what exactly music is, and why humans are irresistibly drawn to making it.
Ranging across millennia, Andrew Ford explores music's great writing it down and recording it; paying for it and making it modern. With brilliant insight, he traces the story of the symphony and the opera, blues and jazz; the oral traditions of folk singers and chain gangs; and the lives of the greats – Bach and Mozart, Clara Schumann and Schoenberg, Charlie Parker and Nina Simone.
From lullabies to national anthems, songlines to streaming, this is a sparkling account of what music has meant at different times and in different places.
- GenresMusicHistoryNonfiction
Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
26 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Ford
66 books7 followersAndrew Ford is a composer, writer and broadcaster. For twelve years he was in the Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong. He has written nine books and, since 1995, has presented The Music Show each weekend on Radio National.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 24, 2025
"In some form, music is happening all around us all the time ..." pp 6
A brief, popular survey of an immense topic often turns out to be dull, as many an "Intro To …" college textbook has proven. But in the hands of a passionate author with a sense of curiosity it becomes compelling, encouraging the reader to ponder topics they've never considered before. Fortunately, Andrew Ford is that type of writer. Instead of a lifeless collection of facts, names and dates, he has given us a fascinating compendium of those names and dates, and then gone further. Ford asks us to think about what music is, why it developed, and why it changes, sometimes slowly, at other times quite quickly.
Chapters like Music for Sale or Recording Music don't simply trace how music has been paid for or recorded over time, but how those actions influenced the music itself. I found Music and Notation particularly interesting; it answered some questions I'd been asking but never before gotten answers to since I first picked up my oboe in Elementary School.
So many fascinating topics were covered in these pages. Who were the first music superstars? Why were there so few women composers in the 1880s? How did records – 78s at first – change music? Why did Rock and Roll arise when it did? What's the difference between Hollywood and Bollywood? What does streaming mean for musicians today? What is originality in music, anyway?
No matter where your interest in music starts you'll find something in here to relate to. Are you fascinated by percussion? Antique instruments? Ragtime? Opera, The Beatles, Techno... It's all in here, situated in the stream of sound which is music. Compelling enough to sit and read in large chunks, but so full of interesting ideas that it will be pulled off the shelf and referred to again and again, this is a book that belongs in public, school and personal libraries. My only complaint? Ironically, I wanted The Shortest History of Music to be a lot longer.
Thank you to The Experiment, the author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
A brief, popular survey of an immense topic often turns out to be dull, as many an "Intro To …" college textbook has proven. But in the hands of a passionate author with a sense of curiosity it becomes compelling, encouraging the reader to ponder topics they've never considered before. Fortunately, Andrew Ford is that type of writer. Instead of a lifeless collection of facts, names and dates, he has given us a fascinating compendium of those names and dates, and then gone further. Ford asks us to think about what music is, why it developed, and why it changes, sometimes slowly, at other times quite quickly.
Chapters like Music for Sale or Recording Music don't simply trace how music has been paid for or recorded over time, but how those actions influenced the music itself. I found Music and Notation particularly interesting; it answered some questions I'd been asking but never before gotten answers to since I first picked up my oboe in Elementary School.
So many fascinating topics were covered in these pages. Who were the first music superstars? Why were there so few women composers in the 1880s? How did records – 78s at first – change music? Why did Rock and Roll arise when it did? What's the difference between Hollywood and Bollywood? What does streaming mean for musicians today? What is originality in music, anyway?
No matter where your interest in music starts you'll find something in here to relate to. Are you fascinated by percussion? Antique instruments? Ragtime? Opera, The Beatles, Techno... It's all in here, situated in the stream of sound which is music. Compelling enough to sit and read in large chunks, but so full of interesting ideas that it will be pulled off the shelf and referred to again and again, this is a book that belongs in public, school and personal libraries. My only complaint? Ironically, I wanted The Shortest History of Music to be a lot longer.
Thank you to The Experiment, the author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
February 20, 2025
Undoubtedly music is something everyone enjoys, although we all have different choices of genres. In the era of people going gaga over concerts and fanbases competing with each other to get their favorite artist reach the number one spot, I have the perfect book for all music lovers.
I was so excited to read this book as soon as saw the title, despite having very less interest in learning about history. The reason for me picking this book is my absolute love for music and the fascinating thing of recording and digitalization of music.
The book takes us on an engaging journey through the history of music, tracing its evolution from early oral traditions to the digital age. Andrew Ford doesn’t just list the major milestones but dives deep into how different forces, namely social, economic, and technological, have shaped music. He reflects on everything from ancient songlines to the rise of streaming services, offering insights into how music has always been at the heart of human culture.
The way the author links the development of music to broader social changes felt personal and insightful. Ford’s writing is full of passion, but it never feels overwhelming. The material is enlightening and approachable, backed with facts and pictures. What struck me most is how the book paints a picture of music as a constant in human life, one that has adapted with each passing era but has always been essential.
For anyone who has ever wondered why music is so integral to human existence, Andrew Ford offers a compelling, thoughtful, and approachable answer. This book is phenomenal, giving extensive knowledge in just 200 pages.
I was so excited to read this book as soon as saw the title, despite having very less interest in learning about history. The reason for me picking this book is my absolute love for music and the fascinating thing of recording and digitalization of music.
The book takes us on an engaging journey through the history of music, tracing its evolution from early oral traditions to the digital age. Andrew Ford doesn’t just list the major milestones but dives deep into how different forces, namely social, economic, and technological, have shaped music. He reflects on everything from ancient songlines to the rise of streaming services, offering insights into how music has always been at the heart of human culture.
The way the author links the development of music to broader social changes felt personal and insightful. Ford’s writing is full of passion, but it never feels overwhelming. The material is enlightening and approachable, backed with facts and pictures. What struck me most is how the book paints a picture of music as a constant in human life, one that has adapted with each passing era but has always been essential.
For anyone who has ever wondered why music is so integral to human existence, Andrew Ford offers a compelling, thoughtful, and approachable answer. This book is phenomenal, giving extensive knowledge in just 200 pages.
January 22, 2026
It would have been the easiest thing in the world to just take a linear route from A to B starting with prehistory and go up through modern contemporary music. But I appreciated the structure this book opted to go with instead: chapters focused on different aspects of music from notation and writing music down, to music as a profession and as a commodity that could be paid for, to how innovations in recording technology changed how music was both written and consumed, etc.
As someone with a classical training background, I'm familiar with the larger contours of Western music from the Baroque era forward through Classical, Romantic, and modern periods. And while this book retread that ground, there was concerted effort to not have too much of a eurocentric focus, bringing in Aboriginal, MENA, and East Asian artists, musical styles and anecdotes where appropriate. I also appreciated the genealogical argument that linked work songs/field calls to Ragtime to Blues to Jazz, which is a musical family tree I'd never considered.
Overall an enjoyable read about a topic you might think you're already familiar with, but with enough small trivia bits thrown in that you'll probably walk away learning at least something new.
As someone with a classical training background, I'm familiar with the larger contours of Western music from the Baroque era forward through Classical, Romantic, and modern periods. And while this book retread that ground, there was concerted effort to not have too much of a eurocentric focus, bringing in Aboriginal, MENA, and East Asian artists, musical styles and anecdotes where appropriate. I also appreciated the genealogical argument that linked work songs/field calls to Ragtime to Blues to Jazz, which is a musical family tree I'd never considered.
Overall an enjoyable read about a topic you might think you're already familiar with, but with enough small trivia bits thrown in that you'll probably walk away learning at least something new.
October 14, 2024
This is a masterly survey of the development of music, across all forms, all periods and all cultures. Well constructed and well written, the book covers an enormous amount of ground with great skill and sensitivity. One learns so much about how music has worked in different environments and the links between various cultural traditions. I consider myself well informed about the Western classical tradition. The book deals with that but goes well beyond to inform the reader of the rich heritage in other parts of the globe. All in just over 200 pages!
I particularly liked the thematic approach and the way in which the narrative is interspersed with short interludes illustrating specific examples of styles or pieces.
This accessible survey is strongly recommended.
I particularly liked the thematic approach and the way in which the narrative is interspersed with short interludes illustrating specific examples of styles or pieces.
This accessible survey is strongly recommended.
July 25, 2024
[This review was published in The Tasmanian Times]
Music is such a powerful force in our lives, it’s surprising we know so little about why it affects us in the ways that it does. It makes us hum, whistle, move, sing, groove, rhythmically thump anything that might have a pleasing hollow sound, pluck strings, blow into tuned tubes, and endlessly innovate new and surprising forms of music and song. Above all, it makes us feel emotions – deep and satisfying emotions.
Imagine a world without music, and you’re imagining sterile, joyless Hell.
How will you dance without music and song? What will thrill your soul as music does? What will make you reel with feel-good chemicals and writhe with the rhythm? What will join you, in abandoned, joyous communion, with others?
Andrew Ford is a brilliant guide to the inner sanctums of composition and the outer reaches of what we can even call music. The Shortest History of Music isn’t a dry history of famous composers, or confined to the Anglosphere, nor is it a tedious timeline of ‘first this, then that’.
Ford, as a musician in his own right, with a long career in music journalism, compares, contrasts and contextualises the many forms of structure and sounds that music and song are made from. In short, The Shortest History of Music is for every music lover who enjoys a broad range of music, and loves to explore the stunning diversity of music from around the world and across the ages.
For me, as an eclectic listener and lover of every genre except opera and the earnest AI faux-pop shite they play in dentists’ offices, I loved this introduction to the vast world of music. I would like nothing more than for Andrew Ford to be given the resources to turn The Shortest History of Music into a ten part, globe-spanning ABC documentary, and include all the math, science and biological understandings we’ve accumulated about music so far.
We exist as life-forms in the flow of time, and time implies and embodies rhythm. Even protozoans beat time with their flagella, and every part of our human bodies, from the cells up, also form rhythms that drive our bodies and minds, one part of which is drawn to, and seek, those elements that make up music and song.
Music might be audible math, and song might be a biological need, but wherever there are humans, there is rhythm and melody.
If you want to know a little more about the wonders of music, and get a better sense of what it is, I highly recommend Andrew Ford’s The Shortest History of Music.
Music is such a powerful force in our lives, it’s surprising we know so little about why it affects us in the ways that it does. It makes us hum, whistle, move, sing, groove, rhythmically thump anything that might have a pleasing hollow sound, pluck strings, blow into tuned tubes, and endlessly innovate new and surprising forms of music and song. Above all, it makes us feel emotions – deep and satisfying emotions.
Imagine a world without music, and you’re imagining sterile, joyless Hell.
How will you dance without music and song? What will thrill your soul as music does? What will make you reel with feel-good chemicals and writhe with the rhythm? What will join you, in abandoned, joyous communion, with others?
Andrew Ford is a brilliant guide to the inner sanctums of composition and the outer reaches of what we can even call music. The Shortest History of Music isn’t a dry history of famous composers, or confined to the Anglosphere, nor is it a tedious timeline of ‘first this, then that’.
Ford, as a musician in his own right, with a long career in music journalism, compares, contrasts and contextualises the many forms of structure and sounds that music and song are made from. In short, The Shortest History of Music is for every music lover who enjoys a broad range of music, and loves to explore the stunning diversity of music from around the world and across the ages.
For me, as an eclectic listener and lover of every genre except opera and the earnest AI faux-pop shite they play in dentists’ offices, I loved this introduction to the vast world of music. I would like nothing more than for Andrew Ford to be given the resources to turn The Shortest History of Music into a ten part, globe-spanning ABC documentary, and include all the math, science and biological understandings we’ve accumulated about music so far.
We exist as life-forms in the flow of time, and time implies and embodies rhythm. Even protozoans beat time with their flagella, and every part of our human bodies, from the cells up, also form rhythms that drive our bodies and minds, one part of which is drawn to, and seek, those elements that make up music and song.
Music might be audible math, and song might be a biological need, but wherever there are humans, there is rhythm and melody.
If you want to know a little more about the wonders of music, and get a better sense of what it is, I highly recommend Andrew Ford’s The Shortest History of Music.
April 3, 2025
Making Sounds Through the Ages
26 March 2025
Well, this was rather different to the last book that I read about music, but then again it was a 500 page brick that basically dealt with the underground scene in New York City in the 70s. This book is much, much shorter, and the scope is much, much larger. In fact one of the things that they mention is that there is an awful lot more to music than what we see in the Western World. There is a reason why ‘World Tours’ really only consist of Europe, North America, Japan, and sometimes Australia – it’s because everywhere else pretty much has their own versions and tastes, and isn’t interested in the corporate rubbish that seems to be regularly churned out.
So, while rock music and such may be significant with regards to our culture (though Hip Hop is much more popular), it is pretty irrelevant in the whole world of music. In fact, the whole musical notations that we use also happen to only be Western European – apparently other cultures have their own forms of musical notation, making writing music as vast as our spoken and written languages (and on that note, apparently music isn’t a language - at least according to the author).
The problem with this book though is that it is pretty technical, and despite his discussions about how music changes across cultures, he really ended up spending most of his time writing about western styles of music, and in particular the classical composers (with the exception of the modernist section, which was more about music as a modernist art-form that actually modern music such rock, EDM and, shudder, hip -hop).
Well, there is this idea of music following art forms, especially with the idea of modernism and post-modernism suddenly creating these concepts of post-genres (post-punk, post-grunge etc), though to be honest while in the art world, this concept is the idea of moving beyond the modernist style, in the world of commercial music, it really just refers to bands who have basically taken a style and commercialised it (aka Nickle “I’ve sold more albums than you so shutup” back).
Yeah, I’m probably going to say that the book really didn’t grab me. Like, it was okay, and it was interesting looking back at how music formed (and how pretty much all of our modern music actually originated in West Africa – or at least was heavily influenced by it) but in the end, well, for somebody who only every listens to it and doesn’t really go to much into the theory, it did sort of go over my head.
26 March 2025
Well, this was rather different to the last book that I read about music, but then again it was a 500 page brick that basically dealt with the underground scene in New York City in the 70s. This book is much, much shorter, and the scope is much, much larger. In fact one of the things that they mention is that there is an awful lot more to music than what we see in the Western World. There is a reason why ‘World Tours’ really only consist of Europe, North America, Japan, and sometimes Australia – it’s because everywhere else pretty much has their own versions and tastes, and isn’t interested in the corporate rubbish that seems to be regularly churned out.
So, while rock music and such may be significant with regards to our culture (though Hip Hop is much more popular), it is pretty irrelevant in the whole world of music. In fact, the whole musical notations that we use also happen to only be Western European – apparently other cultures have their own forms of musical notation, making writing music as vast as our spoken and written languages (and on that note, apparently music isn’t a language - at least according to the author).
The problem with this book though is that it is pretty technical, and despite his discussions about how music changes across cultures, he really ended up spending most of his time writing about western styles of music, and in particular the classical composers (with the exception of the modernist section, which was more about music as a modernist art-form that actually modern music such rock, EDM and, shudder, hip -hop).
Well, there is this idea of music following art forms, especially with the idea of modernism and post-modernism suddenly creating these concepts of post-genres (post-punk, post-grunge etc), though to be honest while in the art world, this concept is the idea of moving beyond the modernist style, in the world of commercial music, it really just refers to bands who have basically taken a style and commercialised it (aka Nickle “I’ve sold more albums than you so shutup” back).
Yeah, I’m probably going to say that the book really didn’t grab me. Like, it was okay, and it was interesting looking back at how music formed (and how pretty much all of our modern music actually originated in West Africa – or at least was heavily influenced by it) but in the end, well, for somebody who only every listens to it and doesn’t really go to much into the theory, it did sort of go over my head.
February 24, 2025
🎶As soon as this title was announced I knew I had to read this book, why? Because it's music! It's one of the things in this world that keeps me sane and a book about it? It's like a dreamy combo, and thanks to the lovely people at @panmacmillanindia for sending me a copy of this book.
🎶Sound of history in a book title might dread many(thanks to school flashbacks🥲) but I promise this book doesn't fall in that category. Andrew Ford meticulously picked up the significant events from the music's journey throughout the years, how it started, how it evolved, and along with society; economically, and technologically, these aspects have a say in evolving the music and how it has joined the music lovers all over the world. Earlier there were records, then came the time of Walkman and now there any so many streaming devices.
🎶The evolution of music through ancient India's ragas and, the birth of jazz during the American Civil War are some of the insights shared in this book, while I was aware of the ragas I didn't know about jazz's history.
🎶Andrew tried to capture the essence in this short book and I think he has successfully achieved it.
🎶Music is a crucial part of our lives, it evokes the feelings we might not even know exist(tell me why some songs just make you feel emotions even if you haven't experienced any of those things) it's not only really in the songs, rhythm is in our daily life, our heart beats in a rhythm, we feel a rhythm while we talk, we walk and in every sphere of our lives. It has made us happy, and groovy on birthdays and parties, and has provided comfort in tough times because this art form just feels right, like it perfectly knows what's in our hearts sometimes the things we might not even say.
If you are a music lover, you won't regret reading this book, and with all the love for music, songs, music artists be it singers, lyricists, instrumentalists,
I highly recommend this book.
🎶Sound of history in a book title might dread many(thanks to school flashbacks🥲) but I promise this book doesn't fall in that category. Andrew Ford meticulously picked up the significant events from the music's journey throughout the years, how it started, how it evolved, and along with society; economically, and technologically, these aspects have a say in evolving the music and how it has joined the music lovers all over the world. Earlier there were records, then came the time of Walkman and now there any so many streaming devices.
🎶The evolution of music through ancient India's ragas and, the birth of jazz during the American Civil War are some of the insights shared in this book, while I was aware of the ragas I didn't know about jazz's history.
🎶Andrew tried to capture the essence in this short book and I think he has successfully achieved it.
🎶Music is a crucial part of our lives, it evokes the feelings we might not even know exist(tell me why some songs just make you feel emotions even if you haven't experienced any of those things) it's not only really in the songs, rhythm is in our daily life, our heart beats in a rhythm, we feel a rhythm while we talk, we walk and in every sphere of our lives. It has made us happy, and groovy on birthdays and parties, and has provided comfort in tough times because this art form just feels right, like it perfectly knows what's in our hearts sometimes the things we might not even say.
If you are a music lover, you won't regret reading this book, and with all the love for music, songs, music artists be it singers, lyricists, instrumentalists,
I highly recommend this book.
March 2, 2025
The book is a vibrant and engaging exploration of how music has woven itself into the fabric of human existence. The author is a musician and broadcaster who possesses a rare gift for making complex ideas accessible and fascinating. He presents a global journey, tracing the evolution of music from the earliest rhythmic instruments from ancient bone flutes and primal drums to the explosion of genres and styles we enjoy in the present times.
The book deftly also handles the big questions:
🎵 Is music a universal language?
🎵 What evolutionary purpose does it serve?
Andrew Ford tackles the above questions with nuance and avoids simplistic answers acknowledging the cultural specificity of musical expression while also highlighting the fundamental human need for rhythm and melody. He illuminates the impact of technology on music from the development of notation which allowed for more complex compositions to the advent of recording and broadcasting which democratized music consumption and forever changed how we experience sound.
The author also delves into the often overlooked economics of music from the struggles of street musicians to the rise of global superstars revealing the complex interplay between art and commerce. He explores the constant push and pull between tradition and innovation showcasing how music evolves and adapts to changing social and cultural landscapes. The book is a must read for anyone who loves music and wants to understand its profound impact on our lives. It’s concise yet comprehensive, witty yet insightful and guaranteed to leave you with a renewed sense of wonder for the art of music.
The book deftly also handles the big questions:
🎵 Is music a universal language?
🎵 What evolutionary purpose does it serve?
Andrew Ford tackles the above questions with nuance and avoids simplistic answers acknowledging the cultural specificity of musical expression while also highlighting the fundamental human need for rhythm and melody. He illuminates the impact of technology on music from the development of notation which allowed for more complex compositions to the advent of recording and broadcasting which democratized music consumption and forever changed how we experience sound.
The author also delves into the often overlooked economics of music from the struggles of street musicians to the rise of global superstars revealing the complex interplay between art and commerce. He explores the constant push and pull between tradition and innovation showcasing how music evolves and adapts to changing social and cultural landscapes. The book is a must read for anyone who loves music and wants to understand its profound impact on our lives. It’s concise yet comprehensive, witty yet insightful and guaranteed to leave you with a renewed sense of wonder for the art of music.
February 17, 2025
didn't know Americans picked up civil war marching band instruments and that is how Jazz started,
I didn't know that standard view was that classical music was a German thing,
I didn't know that Plato suggested that music might be employed to calm the youthful hothead and bring discipline.
An absolutely engrossing, unseen world of music opened up this short and impeccably organised short book of music history.
The Shortest History of Music by Andrew Ford is a powerful and well crafted book that takes readers to a fascinating journey which starts from prehistoric times to modern day.
This book is divided into 5 chapters which is the introduction of music in humanity, starts from the prehistoric that discussed music and culture from every part of the globe, how each country has contributed to musical instruments and tunes. 2nd chapter talks about Blueprints for building in sound from 1400 BCE to present day, then it uncover the Reinventing Art from 1150 CE and finally from 1900 century to present day.
Music touched our life from morning to night, it's our pleasure, it played role of an inspiration in work time, it is best friend in soothing our mind and relaxing our nerves, it's trusted companion in loneliness but we rarely payed attention to know the history of music. From playing at the royal palace and temples to winding up in ordinary people's daily life music has crossed a long journey.
With witty language and compact size this book is a gem to your bookshelf.
I didn't know that standard view was that classical music was a German thing,
I didn't know that Plato suggested that music might be employed to calm the youthful hothead and bring discipline.
An absolutely engrossing, unseen world of music opened up this short and impeccably organised short book of music history.
The Shortest History of Music by Andrew Ford is a powerful and well crafted book that takes readers to a fascinating journey which starts from prehistoric times to modern day.
This book is divided into 5 chapters which is the introduction of music in humanity, starts from the prehistoric that discussed music and culture from every part of the globe, how each country has contributed to musical instruments and tunes. 2nd chapter talks about Blueprints for building in sound from 1400 BCE to present day, then it uncover the Reinventing Art from 1150 CE and finally from 1900 century to present day.
Music touched our life from morning to night, it's our pleasure, it played role of an inspiration in work time, it is best friend in soothing our mind and relaxing our nerves, it's trusted companion in loneliness but we rarely payed attention to know the history of music. From playing at the royal palace and temples to winding up in ordinary people's daily life music has crossed a long journey.
With witty language and compact size this book is a gem to your bookshelf.
March 14, 2025
1. This book is only for those who deeply care about music - I suspect others will find it as boring and painful as sociology books.
2. It is by no means a comprehensive or broad-based history of music. The book is divided into 5 sections, which in order are: Tradition, Notation, Sale, Modernism, and Recording. The titles themselves tell you that this is an arbitrary choice and leaves much to explore and tell.
3. It's heavily biased towards Western music, European music in particular, and Western Classical above all. I'd say about half the book is about the last, which can hardly be considered representative.
4. It's capricious. Example: it will devote 2 pages to the life story of some completely obscure musician, yet go through the entire section on classical music with scarcely any mention of Mozart.
4. Skip the first two sections entirely - they trite at best and exhausting at worst.
5. But the next 3 sections make it all worthwhile. Things start moving rapidly there - stories surprise you, anecdotes regale you, trivia enriches you. This part is almost a page-turner.
I feel like I am getting affected by recency bias when giving it a 4 when it is more likely a 3, or 3.5 at best. But today is a generous day.
Finally, to reiterate, this is only for music lovers.
2. It is by no means a comprehensive or broad-based history of music. The book is divided into 5 sections, which in order are: Tradition, Notation, Sale, Modernism, and Recording. The titles themselves tell you that this is an arbitrary choice and leaves much to explore and tell.
3. It's heavily biased towards Western music, European music in particular, and Western Classical above all. I'd say about half the book is about the last, which can hardly be considered representative.
4. It's capricious. Example: it will devote 2 pages to the life story of some completely obscure musician, yet go through the entire section on classical music with scarcely any mention of Mozart.
4. Skip the first two sections entirely - they trite at best and exhausting at worst.
5. But the next 3 sections make it all worthwhile. Things start moving rapidly there - stories surprise you, anecdotes regale you, trivia enriches you. This part is almost a page-turner.
I feel like I am getting affected by recency bias when giving it a 4 when it is more likely a 3, or 3.5 at best. But today is a generous day.
Finally, to reiterate, this is only for music lovers.
March 10, 2025
A love for music runs in my family
And music has had a lot of influence in my life so far
The Shortest History of Music, takes you to the very beginning when music started to become a part of people’s lives. From talking about how musical instruments were made using different materials back in this day to how it was written down using notations as time progressed to how technology has changed music in the modern era, this book’s covers highlight about music.
I loved the research that has gone into writing this book and bringing all the information together. The book mostly covers American and European cultures and how music was developed there with references to Indian/Asian music history peppered across here and there.
The storytelling approach used by the author blends perfectly with the musical references and it all comes together as adding to what you know about the music you listen to today.
I play 4 instruments, 2 of which I am very good at and the other 2 are a work in progress. This book has brought me closer to these instruments and music in general. You don’t need to be an expert on this subject, even if you are just an enthusiast, this book will take you on a beautiful musical journey
And music has had a lot of influence in my life so far
The Shortest History of Music, takes you to the very beginning when music started to become a part of people’s lives. From talking about how musical instruments were made using different materials back in this day to how it was written down using notations as time progressed to how technology has changed music in the modern era, this book’s covers highlight about music.
I loved the research that has gone into writing this book and bringing all the information together. The book mostly covers American and European cultures and how music was developed there with references to Indian/Asian music history peppered across here and there.
The storytelling approach used by the author blends perfectly with the musical references and it all comes together as adding to what you know about the music you listen to today.
I play 4 instruments, 2 of which I am very good at and the other 2 are a work in progress. This book has brought me closer to these instruments and music in general. You don’t need to be an expert on this subject, even if you are just an enthusiast, this book will take you on a beautiful musical journey
August 1, 2025
I should’ve known better, music is too broad of a subject to capture in 200 pages. He spent almost no time on contemporary music and way too much time on theory (either you know about music theory going in or you don’t care to know so why include it?). Passed over soooo many important ideas and events and focused way too much on classical music. And his reasoning for why music isn’t a universal language was illogical and irrelevant.
I don’t think he knew what to focus on. It seemed like maybe he wanted to talk about the philosophical concept of music but he was hired to write on the history.
It seems like this is a series of books “the shortest history of…” and from reading this book I can tell you not to bother with any book in the series.
You can’t capture everything in 200 pages so if you’re really interested in music, pick another book. If you just casual about learning the history of music, this book goes into a lot of theory and probably isn’t good for you either.
I don’t think he knew what to focus on. It seemed like maybe he wanted to talk about the philosophical concept of music but he was hired to write on the history.
It seems like this is a series of books “the shortest history of…” and from reading this book I can tell you not to bother with any book in the series.
You can’t capture everything in 200 pages so if you’re really interested in music, pick another book. If you just casual about learning the history of music, this book goes into a lot of theory and probably isn’t good for you either.
May 21, 2025
Ahhh ok - yet another book of Classical Music anecdotes (for Dummies)? Not quite: Andrew Ford's book is actually a bit different and tackles the subject from a slightly different angle. He traces how cultural, social and technological influences have shaped music over the centuries and makes quite a few interesting, original and insightful observations. The writing is really good, entertaining and easy to read (it did not take me long to finish it).
And no, we didn't hear that Lully died from gangrene after stamping on his foot with a conducting staff (although it seemed to be heading that way at one point), or how 14 yo Mozart wrote down Allegri's Miserere note-for-note after hearing it once, or that Schumann wrecked his concert pianist career with a hand-strengthening device ... phew!
And no, we didn't hear that Lully died from gangrene after stamping on his foot with a conducting staff (although it seemed to be heading that way at one point), or how 14 yo Mozart wrote down Allegri's Miserere note-for-note after hearing it once, or that Schumann wrecked his concert pianist career with a hand-strengthening device ... phew!
April 20, 2025
More than just a history, this book delves into the key themes that have shaped music across the ages. Discover how music interacts with religion, technology, and the economy, and what it has meant to people throughout history.
This is a fascinating and informative book. I’d have enjoyed it more if it had been organized chronologically. (I understand that development isn’t always linear, but it was strange to be reading about Taylor Swift partway through.) Readers who want to learn more about the history of music will benefit from this book, and will also find inspiration for areas of further exploration.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a fascinating and informative book. I’d have enjoyed it more if it had been organized chronologically. (I understand that development isn’t always linear, but it was strange to be reading about Taylor Swift partway through.) Readers who want to learn more about the history of music will benefit from this book, and will also find inspiration for areas of further exploration.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 8, 2025
The idea of a short history of all music is great. I liked the first chapter that actually tried to engage with diverse musical traditions. But most of the rest of the book fell into the standard trap of mostly discussing Western classical composers, with a small section on African-American blues and jazz and a few mentions of other traditions sprinkled throughout.
It felt in between a popular and academic book: too many composer/musician names and musicological jargon for a non-expert, not enough details for an expert. It's hard to complain too much when there aren’t many better examples out there, but I’d probably recommend Ted Gioia’s “Music: A subversive history” instead to most readers.
It felt in between a popular and academic book: too many composer/musician names and musicological jargon for a non-expert, not enough details for an expert. It's hard to complain too much when there aren’t many better examples out there, but I’d probably recommend Ted Gioia’s “Music: A subversive history” instead to most readers.
December 22, 2025
This comes across as a wonderful far-ranging meditation, almost a prose poem. You have to be a bit in-the-know already, otherwise it would not be clear, coherent or ‘digestible,’ but I loved the thematic approach , the tangents, the quotes, the odd facts and magical moments in history and humanity.
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September 5, 2024I love this book. Read and listen to every piece of music Andrew mentions. You'll get a joyous music story, this man is a true lateral thinker.
December 19, 2024
Short and “suite”! :)
January 22, 2026
One must consider if Mr Ford even likes music.
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