The Saddest Music Ever Written: The Story of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings »

Thomas Larson is the author of The Memoir and the Memoirist: Reading and Writing Personal Narrative. For twelve years, he has been a staff writer for the San Diego Reader where he specializes in profiles, narrative nonfiction, and investigative journalism. A dynamic speaker, Larson presents workshops on memoir writing and lectures on Samuel Barber’s music throughout the country. he lives in San Diego with his partner Suzanna Neal.

An exploration of the cultural impact of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, the Pietá of music, and its enigmatic composer—in celebration of the centenary of his birth.