David Whitwell has drawn together a valuable collection of Schumann's own intimate revelations on his personality, his character and his health, the latter a critical issue in the case of Schumann. Here as well the reader will find Schumann's personal insights on his own musical studies, his creative process and on some of his compositions. Schumann has also left fascinating first-hand observations on other pianists, composers and personalities whom he knew. Foremost among these, of course, are his private thoughts on his wife, the very gifted pianist, Clara Schumann.