Donald Jay Grout (1902–1987)

This is the essential reference work for understanding the history of Western music. Filled with so many details, yet interesting not only for that reason but also because it is well-written. Worth a few moments of consideration or a whole afternoon immersing yourself in the wonder of music and its development over the centuries.

It has a great depth and breadth of information--if you can find it. The book is poorly organized and sections are ordered in a counter-intuitive way. Again, a good thorough survey text that deserves its place as the standard of Western music history. Pity you'll have trouble finding things in it.

Very well illustrated history of music

A note to the cautious -- while this book is called a "short history," it is anything but. Actually a rather hefty book.