This compendium provides an enormous amount of documentary data, usefully organized, much of it unseen since original (and often obscure) publication. Writings are by and about Capablanca; the minute details of his life and games proceed chronologically; the controversies of his career are especially well documented. The book has a games and positions index, an index of openings, a general index, and 26 rare photographs on glossy plates.

Edward Winter is an author, journalist, archivist and "the world’s most renowned chess historian" (in the words of Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan). He began Chess Notes in 1982.