A coherent, engaging, and well-researched study . . . an important book for scholars of music criticism as well as music in Britain. * NOTES, JOURNAL OF THE MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION * A useful study exploring a fascinating field. * FONTES ARTIS MUSICAE * One comes away from Watt's book with a detailed portrait of Newman the writer and a profound admiration for the way in which the author has painstakingly researched and documented his achievements in the field. * BRIO * Reveals that...Newman's fascinating non-musical background that he brought to music criticism...is the secret of Newman's deeply human renaissance qualities as a writer...[This] critical biography erects the intangible monument that no-one reputedly raises in bronze or marble to critics. * WAGNER NEWS OF VICTORIA * Unpredictably refreshing...Watt has done a very great amount of reading and put these results creditably at our disposal. * GRAMOPHONE * This is indeed a very good and stimulating read. * SOUNDS MAGAZINE * An immensely stimulating and readable book, raising many interesting and ever-relevant questions concerning the nature of music biography and criticism, and how they are affected by extra-musical issue of contemporary social and intellectual preoccupation. * THE MUSICAL TIMES * Thanks to Watt, we know that Newman was personally indebted to his Freethought associates...[this is an] impressively researched book'. -- David Cormack * THE WAGNER JOURNAL * This book is important and will help to keep Newman's contribution to our musical heritage in perspective and alive. * SPIRITED, THE GAZETTE OF THE ENGLISH MUSIC FESTIVAL * The book is extremely well written, referenced, and produced, and shows an exemplary attention to detail...Paul Watt has done scholars a considerable service, this being the first book to place the whole span of Newman's career and the most significant parts of his writing in both context and continuum. -- Paul Rodmell * CONTEXT: JOURNAL OF MUSIC RESEARCH * Newman's thinking...comes into focus remarkably well...This is a readable book, with plenty to tell us about the development of an influential mind. -- Stephen Johnson * BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE * [A] well-researched, well-written, well-presented book, drawing upon an impressive bibliography, both musicological and more broadly historiographical. * NABMSA REVIEWS * Ernest Newman was Wagner's most detailed biographer - and despite the age of his four-volume 'Life Of Richard Wagner' it remains indispensable. Ernest Newman finds himself and his work treated to an equally fine biography by Paul Watt. Well worth your attention. * THE WAGNERIAN * This excellent and detailed biography demands to be consulted in conjunction with Newman's writings. * AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW *