This book by Philip Bohlman takes the reader on a journey through the world of global music. In each chapter, the author shows how music participates in shaping the modern world, paying special attention to the specific causes and historical circumstances that are particularly important for understanding musical diversity. The book covers a wide geographical area. Each chapter explores individual cultures and regional traditions in depth. The author often focuses on specific repertoires and well-known performers, and seeks to explain how world music gained increasing influence and popularity at the beginning of the twenty-first century.