The book contains unabridged translations of 'Kreisleriana' and 'The Poet and the Composer' and all Hoffmann's reviews except those of piano music and of scores by Braun, Wilms and Stiastny. The source texts were established by Friedrich Schnapp (rev. ed., 1977) and his music examples were taken over for this project. Schnapp's essay on the textual sources is also included, translated by Martyn Clarke. The new editorial forewords and notes to Hoffmann's translated texts include identifications and descriptions of every published edition quoted by Hoffmann. Accompanying editorial essays are as follows: 'Hoffmann as a Writer on Music'; 'Introduction to "Kreisleriana"'; prefatory remarks to each of the thirteen parts of 'Kreisleriana'; and an 'Introduction to "The Poet and the Composer".