Author Geoffrey Block examines Rodgers' career, highlighting "several pivotal shows from many perspectives — historical, critical, social and analytical," according to the publisher. "Block begins by tracing Rodgers' musical education, early work and the development of his musical and dramatic language." Chapters focus on A Connecticut Yankee and The Boys From Syracuse (with lyricist Lorenz Hart) and South Pacific and Cinderella (with Oscar Hammerstein II).

Block, editor of the "Richard Rodgers Reader" and "Enchanted Evenings: The Broadway Musical From Show Boat to Sondheim," also takes the "first serious look at the five neglected and often maligned musicals that Rodgers composed in the 1960s and 1970s, after the death of Hammerstein." Those shows are Do I Hear a Waltz?, No Strings, Two by Two, Rex and I Remember Mama.

Cover price is $32.50. Block is professor of music at the University of Puget Sound in Washington, and the author of several musicals.