"If you don't have a large record collection of hot jazz from the '20's,'30's, and '40's, this CD is an excellent purchase for two main reasons. First it's a good survey of white hot jazz in its own right. For example, if you like the Casa Loma Orchestra's cut that's included, you can buy a complete CD (as I did) of that group. The other more interesting reason is that it is a companion to the incredible book of the same name. Now you can follow along and hear just what the author, Richard Sudhalter, is talking about -- sort of a mixed media experience. This is the reason that the CD does not follow strict historical order when it comes to the takes it contains, which is slightly off-putting without the book to go along with it.You can buy the CD without the book, but if you buy the book, you really should buy the CD as well."