As an introduction to French Spectral Music, Anthony Cornicello's text has been considered the authoritative English-language source on the musical style that emerged in France during the 1970s. The book provides a clear definition of spectral music, and investigates the music and technological advances that stimulated the musical style. The second half of the text is dedicated to an analysis of Tristan Murail's Désintégrations, demonstrating the inner workings of a typical Spectral composition.