the book includes many first-hand interviews with notable individuals, including coltrane's first wife, naima. "coltrane: a biography" also demonstrates the major influence of christianity, islam and hinduism on the jazz musicians of the time. this documentation has special significance in understanding the dynamics of the expansion of islam and current geopolitics. the influence of black nationalism, rooted in the teaching of marcus garvey, is expressed by coltrane through his admiration for malcolm x. coltrane's strong affirmation of the african-american struggle for freedom was revealed in greater detail in his 1962 letter to jazz journalist don demichael. the book contains engaging information about the experimental composer and musicians, sun ra and ornette coleman.