Beethoven's eating habits, his growing deafness and ill-health, his tendency to be suspicious of friends, his daily schedule of work, his famous contempt for etiquette, his daily walks in all weathers, his brilliant abilities as composer and conductor - all these traits and characteristics are described in this book by contemporary friends and acquaintances of the great master.This compilation contains the most interesting, evocative, and amusing sections of letters, diaries, memoirs, etc. describing Beethoven. There are notes on the young Beethoven by his father's landlord, by young Beethoven's piano teacher, by admiring friends, by such musical giants as Rossini, Weber, and Liszt, by the poet Goethe, and by many others. The book is illustrated with sixteen portraits of Beethoven.Arranged chronologically, this engrossing collection presents a remarkably full and convincing picture of Beethoven and his time.