Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk was an elusive and eccentric personality whose music and style were initially misunderstood. From his growing up in Manhattan, through his struggles to be heard,and to his eventual withdrawal from the music, his genius emerges. Gourse has based her biography on interviews with family, friends, and associates in addition to extensive research, and she includes several rare photographs. The book includes a useful index and a list of sessions, compositions, and videos.