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Monarch of the Flute documents the career of flutist Georges Barrère, for whom two signal works of the repertoire were written, Density 21.5 by Edgar Varèse and Poem by Charles Tomlinson Griffes. At age seventeen, Barrère also premiered the performance of the landmark orchestral work, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun by Claude Debussy. Author and flutist, Nancy Toff has written a narrative that is both scholarly in its historical detail and engaging in its description of an era rich in the creative arts: Belle Époque in Paris and early 20th century in New York. I chose this book because contemporary flutists continue to cherish the lineage from Barrère's Paris Conservatoire tutelage (with Paul Taffanel), and his legacy in America (beginning with his stellar pupil, William Kincaid). Published in conjunction with the centennial of Barrère's arrival in the United States in 1905, it was featured in a series of lectures and recitals at the San Diego, California convention of the National Flute Association, August 11-14 2005. May it prove to be a valuable resource for all flutists and woodwind enthusiasts at Penn State--now and in years to come.