Although geared to young readers, Gourse’s book is a fine primer on jazz guitar for readers of all ages. She provides background on the types of guitars, the evolution of guitar in jazz history, and the various playing styles. She profiles over fifty players such as Charlie Christian, Django Rheinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Emily Remler, and the new generation of guitarists which includes Russell Malone, Bireli Lagrene, Ron Affif, and Mark Elf. Additionally she includes with the index useful sections on suggested listening, reading, and internet sites.

Leslie Gourse authored over 30 books, including Louis’ Children: American Jazz Singers; Unforgettable: The Life and Mystique of Nat King Cole; Sassy: The Life of Sarah Vaughan; Madame Jazz: Contemporary Women Instrumentalists; Wynton Marsalis: Skain’s Domain; The Billie Holiday Companion: Seven Decades of Commentary; Straight, No Chaser: The Life and Genius of Thelonious Monk; and Dizzy Gillespie and the Birth of Bebop. She also wrote biographies of Art Blakey and Carmen McRae, contributed to numerous newspapers and journals, and wrote liner notes on jazz for nearly three decades. She authored the entire Art of Jazz series for Franklin Watts including books on bassists, beboppers, pianists, drummers, singers and more.