The very scale of Wagner's monumental cycle of operas can be bewildering to those approaching these masterpieces for the first time, and even after becoming familiar with the characters and plot, the listener may welcome some help in understanding the complexities of music and words. J. K. Holman's guide delineates the four plots, illustrates and explains 145 musical motifs that occur throughout the cycle, and explores the sources, appearances, and motivations of all the characters. A concordance lists each use of key words and names, forming a useful index to the operas.