This book investigates the historical development, technological evolution, and aesthetic foundations of electronic and experimental music. Thomas B. Holmes provides a comprehensive survey of the medium, tracing its origins from early acoustic experiments to the digital revolution. He utilizes a chronological and thematic framework to categorize the diverse movements, instruments, and composers that have defined the genre's trajectory over the last century.

Experts and musicologists frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for understanding the technical and cultural history of electronic sound. Readers often note the accessibility of the prose, which balances academic rigor with a clear, chronological narrative suitable for both students and enthusiasts.