Superb biography that fully explores the development of all his musical compositions. Additionally his relationship with his mother Foxie is quite unusual. The book includes how he deals with his sexuality and first love later in life. The stuff about Harold Prince , Leonard Bernstein, and Lee Remick is fascinating.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Sondheim

http://www.playbill.com/article/the-top-10-songs-by-stephen-sondheim-com-210089