The book Frederick Chopin As a Man and Musician  by Frederick Niecks, German music writer who settled in Great Britain, was published for the first time in London in 1888. In its subsequent editions (1890, 1902) the author introduced a number of additions. It was also translated into German (Leipzig 1890). This is an extensive, two-volume monograph of Chopin, which is a book of fundamental importance in Chopin literature to this day.

Niecks' monograph has never been translated into Polish. Therefore, although it is used in the narrow circle of chopinologists, it has not reached a wider group of Polish readers.

Translation is supplemented by footnotes wherever Niecks' statements are no longer valid in the light of current state of knowledge. As a result, a reader in possession of Niecks' work, will also receive information about the current state of knowledge about Chopin.