As you look at symphony orchestras around the United States, it is obvious that there is a lack of Black American participation within their ranks. It is even more clear that there are even fewer Black conductors. Dr. Handy has taken the time to throughly research those conductors who belong to the rare group. I was fortunate enough to be included in her list. When you see the credentials of the conductors that she has named, you can be sure that their education and experience equal those of any other racial group and often surpasses the qualifications of many non-Black conductors already leading major and/or metropolitan orchestras in the world. This is a problem that still has not been addressed by the managers and boards of orchestras today. In reading the biographies of these individuals, it becomes clear that many Black Conductors had to go to Europe to really gain recognition as musical directors. Dr. Handy does not just include classical music conductors. One forgets that many Black musicians in the so called "pop" field were often educated in the finest institutions in the classical world before they changed over to the popular musical field. Many did this for survival at first and then became successful artists in the genre. This book is an invaluable reference on a little known subject. Thank you Dr. Handy