Who would think that an exciting book can be written about a musical instrument? Yet it can be done. Nora Mercz guides us along the harp's adventurous development among the tempests of human civilization starting from the prehistoric age through the Middle Ages up to these days. First, the author tells us how the instrument was used by mythic heroes, ancient gods, mediaeval and modern monarchs or commoners gifted by musical talent, then she describes the harp's magic influence on the human soul. In the meantime we can keep track of how the harp was shaped from a bow of one string into an instrumental masterwork.