Joseph N. Straus investigates the pervasive influence and evolution of twelve-tone music within the American musical landscape throughout the twentieth century. As a prominent scholar in music theory and history, Straus draws upon extensive analysis of compositional techniques, theoretical writings, and historical context to demonstrate how serialism, despite its initial perceived complexity, became a foundational element in American modernism. The book traces its adoption, adaptation, and eventual diversification by American composers, examining the theoretical underpinnings and aesthetic implications of this influential compositional method.

This work is recognized as a significant scholarly contribution to the understanding of twentieth-century American music. It is valued for its rigorous analytical approach and its comprehensive scope in detailing the integration of twelve-tone techniques into the American compositional tradition. The book is considered essential reading for musicologists, theorists, and students seeking a deep understanding of the intellectual and aesthetic currents that shaped American music.