In this comprehensive book, R. Murray Schafer, a pioneer of research in the fields of acoustic ecology and the acoustic environment (the soundscape), discusses his philosophies and theories concerning the soundscape. Much of the material in the book documents and is based on the results of soundscape research undertaken through his World Soundscape Project (now known as the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology). The book also contains a useful glossary of soundscape terms.

Table of contents:

1. The Natural Soundscape
2. The Sounds of Life
3. The Rural Soundscape
4. From Town to City
5. The Industrial revolution
6. The Electric Revolution
7. Music, The Soundscape and Changing Perceptions
8. Notation
9. Classification
10. Perception
11. Morphology
12. Symbolism
13. Noise
14. Listening
15. The Acoustic Community
16. Rhythm and Tempo in the Soundscape
17. The Acoustic Designer
18. The Soniferous Garden
19. Silence
20. The Music Beyond