[Howard L]

Thank you, Nils, for that fine summary. I just completed reading the book a couple days ago and have been engaging in a running commentary over in the FSM site from when the reading commenced. It’s mostly quoting passages that particularly captured my fancy. It was fun too reading about things that Thor, I and others had speculated and ruminated upon going back at least 25 years when we first discovered there were actually real live film music fans beyond ourselves. Over multiple continents!

One thing that I’ll add is that the death of JW’s first wife, Barbara, hovers over the book much as it has over John’s life since, both personally and musically. You have rightfully highlighted his humility and soft-spokenness that has endeared him to those closest to him. And now that goes for everyone else who reads Greiving’s portrait. One can’t help but be moved.

The music most certainly is the thing but it’s just plain nice when the composer behind the music is such a warm person. In his own distinctive manner.