In the summer of 1937 George Gershwin died suddenly from a brain tumour at the age of 38. His tragically early death stunned the world. A composer of classical and popular music, he had summed up the unique qualities of what is meant by American music. This book sheds fresh light on the man and includes exclusive interviews with musicians who knew him, material from the Gershwin family archives and coverage of the composer's musical works in full.