This work investigates the complex personal and professional relationship between composers Frederick Delius and Philip Heseltine, known as Peter Warlock. Author Barry Smith utilizes a vast collection of correspondence to examine how this mentorship evolved from a fan-based admiration into a significant artistic alliance. By contextualizing these letters within the broader musical landscape of the early twentieth century, Smith provides a detailed analysis of their creative influence on one another.

Scholars and music historians regard this volume as a definitive resource for understanding the private lives of these two composers. Readers frequently note the meticulous research and the clarity with which Smith navigates the dense, often complicated history of their long-term correspondence.