The Madman's Orchestra

‘As well as being maybe the single best illustrated book about music that I know, this is a mind-expanding and brain-boggling read that deserves its place as one of the most fascinating and the most rational histories of music you can find’ – Tom Service * BBC History Magazine *
‘This beautifully illustrated and lavish book is a feast for the eyes and for the mind… Many of the curiosities in this collection of musical confectionery are visual as much as literary. You can dip in anywhere for a diverting or even bonkers fact that will make entertaining conversation at any dinner party’ * Church Times *
‘This is a fascinating compendium of classical curiosities, thoroughly researched and charmingly written by Edward Brooke-Hitching, which perhaps is no surprise given his work as a scriptwriter and factfinder for BBC’s QI. He’s clearly poured great care into this book, filling it with a sense of boundless discovery. There’s a wonderfully generous selection of images […] All in all, a delight.’ – Rebecca Franks * BBC History Magazine *
‘Brooke-Hitching’s writing is both fascinating and funny, making even the most obscure musical oddities utterly compelling’ * This England magazine *
‘One of the most brilliantly illustrated and totally compelling books about music ever put together. A symphony of the weird and wonderful. On every page there are revelations and a tumult of jaw-dropping images. Edward’s book is a fantastic thing to look at, a cornucopia of discoveries’ – Tom Service, BBC Radio 3

Edward Brooke-Hitching is the author of the critically acclaimed and bestselling books:

• The Phantom Atlas (2016)
• The Golden Atlas (2018)
• The Sky Atlas (2019)
• The Madman’s Library (2020)
• The Devil’s Atlas (2021)

All of his books have been translated into numerous languages. He is also the author of Fox Tossing, Octopus Wrestling and Other Forgotten Sports (2015). Edward is a writer for the BBC series QI.

A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and an incurable cartophile, he lives surrounded by dusty heaps of old maps and books in Berkshire.

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