In a shift of emphasis, A History of Western Music places people making choices at the centre of the story, not as peripheral figures in the evolution of musical works and styles. Linking historical and social context directly to musical practice and styles, the book is organised around three central themes: people making choices; the tension between cultural tradition and musical innovation; and the values and tastes of producers and consumers. This edition restructures the text for greater accessibility, breaking it into small chapters within six sections; these are linked to form a single narrative thread.