The Blue Danube waltz is so familiar to Americans, young and old, that we think of it as a part of our national heritage. We are likely to be surprised when reminded of its Viennese origin. Other beautiful waltzes by the remarkable "Waltz King" are almost as familiar.

Despite the popularity of the music, few of us know much about the exciting life of the composer or about his irascible father, who tried so hard to prevent Johann Jr. from becoming a musician. Father and son are extremely interesting as people—aside from their ability and fame as composers.

As a young child, Johann Strauss, Jr. knew that music was to be his lifework, though he (with his mother's help) had to pursue this goal in secret, because of the father's objection. At a time when it was practically unheard of to defy parental authority, the younger Strauss never wavered in his determination, although his father went to extraordinary lengths to block him.

There is, of course, discussion of the younger Strauss's musical compositions and of how they came to be written, but the reader needs no training in music to enjoy this stimulating biography.

This is an absorbing story of two conflicting personalities, as well as a charming picture of life in Vienna, during its gayest time.

From the dust jacket