Herbert von Karajan is arguably the most controversial conductor of the 20th century. In a way, he's like God (a comparison with which neither Karajan nor Osborne would object too strenuously). If you're an atheist, God is a tyrant and a megalomaniac; if you're a true believer, He's transcendent and perfect. Nothing Karajan says in this book will be likely to change anyone's mind. As for Osborne, I'm not sure how I'd react if I spent a considerable amount of time talking to someone who clearly worshipped the sofa I sat on. Osborne's interview technique is to make an adulatory statement and then put a question mark at the end of it. Karajan doesn't seem to mind much, though. Typically, he's in agreement. Please don't get me wrong; Karajan has provided me with many hours of great pleasure, especially in his many operatic recordings. It's just that this book does blessed little to provide much illumination much of anything. ( )