How did an 18th century child prodigy become a 20th century icon' Was the adult Mozart really a womanizing drink-fuelled gambler with Tourette?s Syndrome' Was he murdered?.' Julian Rushton jumps right into the debate with this fascinating readable history dispensing with the myth conjecture and popular iconography that frequently distorts our notions of what Mozart and his times were really like. What emerges is a more human and believable portrait challenging our preconceptions while deepening our understanding of this extraordinary man and his music.