Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: An excellent concise History of Western Music

I own used this book, and the anthology and CD's, and used them for my intermediate Music history studies; I still use it as a quick reference or starting point for my current more detailed studies. When I want more detail about a period or specific composers or styles, then there are numurous more detailed books available. I have found it comprehensive in coverage, informative, easy to read and containing enough information without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. I believe there could be more on 20th century composers/techniques, but given the scope of music development for that period, I believe a more dedicated book should be used. I must agree that as a general student text book, it is rather pricey; sadly the CD's are also very useful and NOT cheap either. Still definitely worth buying and keeping as a reference.