Deeply researched, quietly subversive, and unexpectedly moving, Dearest Lenny is a captivating book for the general reader interweaving three human stories-those of Bernstein and two Japanese, a man and a woman, who were in different ways in love with him―with larger issues pertaining to Japanese-US relations after World War II. Taking Bernstein's importance and stature simply as a given, Mari Yoshihara manages to illuminate his personality, musicianship, and impact in a new way, while casting light on the subjects of fame, the connections between politics, business and the arts, and the powerful role music can play in people's lives. ― Allen Shawn, author of Leonard Bernstein: An American Musician

While Leonard Bernstein's status as a global celebrity is well-established, the focus has largely been on his impact in Europe and Israel. Here, Mari Yoshihara meaningfully repositions the famed conductor and composer in relation to Japan. The story is both professional and personal, and it culminates in Bernstein's longstanding relationship with Kunihiko Hashimoto, which is documented in a voluminous and intimate correspondence between the two men. Consistently insightful and deeply moving, Dearest Lenny deepens our perspective on a figure we thought we knew very well. ― Carol J. Oja, author of Bernstein Meets Broadway: Collaborative Art in a Time of War

In this gem of a book, Mari Yoshihara ushers us to a historical theater where the political economy of the arts, post-World War II world affairs, and deeply personal stories of love and devotion intertwined to create a moving human drama surrounding Leonard Bernstein. In her deft hands, the life, artistry, and political activism of this charismatic maestro come alive, as well as the lives and work of others touched by this towering figure in the twentieth century classical music world. Written in clear, accessible prose, this book shows how disparate pieces of life and aspirations can form a creative synergy across national boundaries. ― Sayuri Guthrie-Shimizu, Rice University

Mari Yoshihara is Professor of American Studies at the University of Hawaii. She is the author of Embracing the East: White Women and American Orientalism and Musicians from a Different Shore: Asians and Asian Americans in Classical Music.