Ron Butlin imagines the lives of great composers and philosophers from unusual angles. Vivaldi's creative block is freed with God's gift of the number 3; Mozart struggles for financial independence by becoming Salzburg's first private eye; Haydn's publicity benefits from an appearance on Jerry Springer ... Many previously undocumented events from the history of Western civilization are relayed here with a zany touch and a delicious sense of the absurd. When Seneca tests the validity of Stoicism by taking up residence in 21st century Edinburgh, Ron Butlin brings these delightful tales to his home town.