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Summary: I would not want to miss reading this book!
Review: "A true story of music and love in Nazi Germany" And what a story it is. The story is both beautiful and painful. The beauty lies in the love these Jewish people had for each other and their music; it also lies in their hope, optimism, and determination to survive. The painful, even horrible part of the story is in the suffering and humiliation inflicted on innocent people by their fellow humans and the indifference (or simply not wanting to know) of many of their fellow citizens. Although Gunther and Rosemarie escape to the U.S. and live happy, productive lives, the pain lives on in them and in other survivors due to the guilt caused by their inability to save their parents, siblings and grandparents from the death camps. Martin wrote a beautiful book. His use of words is lyrical and creates a portrait of Nazi Germany you can almost feel and smell. It is a book I would not want to miss reading. Martin did not emphasize the pain, but instead emphasized the beauty. At the end you were sad, but wiser and inspired with a love for your fellowman and a desire to prevent this type of tyranny from ever coming to power again.
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Summary: A Moving, Wonderful, Complex Book
Review: I've read other accounts of the holocaust. This one moved me the most deeply, perhaps because the author displays the courage to depict everyone - both the Nazis and the suffering individuals - with frankness and candor. His grandfather was a "rat" and a philanderer who left his faithful wife behind to die when he fled Germany with another woman. The many complexities and flaws of the head of the Kulturbund are also explored. Mr. Goldsmith's depiction of Jews as complex humans with foibles and flaws - not perfect humans suffering at the hands of the evil Nazis - endows this book with an extra measure of honesty that makes its tale much more moving. I also find it a troubling book. Confronted with Nazism, Germany's Jews could fall back on a rich tradition of art and music to unite them and foster their spirits. In America today, if we faced such a threat, what would uplift any of us, both Jews and non-Jews like myself? Nintendo? The Gap? We have gained a lot in America, but what have we lost?
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Summary: Beautiful story
Review: A very moving story that sheds light on a lesser known chapter of Nazi rule, the Jewish Kulturbund. The book is beautifully written; a painful and gripping personal story of the experiences of a Jewish family during this black period in history. Out of the horror that was the Holocaust comes a love story, a story of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the unbelievable hardship and terror for the Jewish people in Nazi Germany. The book is written by an NPR commentator about his parents and his own search for identity.
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Summary: Music is life!
Review: As a daughter of Holocaust survivors, I was completely captivated by this book. Up to now I found it extremely difficult to read materials related to the Holocaust. It just felt "too close to home." Now that I see my own children growing up filled with musical talent, I wonder about our deceased relatives and what talents were buried with them. Mr. Goldsmith writes so beautifully, and allows me to finally understand much of what had occurred in that terrible time. He gives my mother's inner silent pain a "voice." Thank you so much.
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Summary: Haunting and Riveting!
Review: From the first few pages of Martin Goldsmith's brilliant novel, I could not put it down. This book is a highly detailed, fascinating account of a little known piece of history. Although everyone is familiar with the attrocities of the holocaust, the author offers up a haunting account of the events from a cultural perspective, a truly personal account revolving around his own parents lives and how they were able to survive Nazi Germany. I had studied the holocaust in history classes in high school, but none came close to Goldsmith's painstakingly thorough account of the rise of national Socialism in Germany in the 1920's and 30's. Written simply and in a matter-of-fact style, the author pulls no punches and offers the reader a truly engaging study of the events leading up to WWII. But at the same time, the reader is also drawn in by the powerful bond between his mother and father and their love for the beautiful music which they had grown up with. I'm no musician, but was certainly fascinated to learn of all the wonderful Jewish contributions to our world culture. And although I certainly am quite removed from all events of the holocaust, I have never been so emotionally moved by a story before. This is a beautiful book and a must read for everyone.
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Summary: Read it with awe
Review: Here's another inside report from the Holocaust, this time from a most unusual angle, as the author's parents were musicians in an all-Jewish orchestra in Berlin during the early days of the second World War, and got out just in time to save their lives. A true story told with dramatic flair.
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Summary: The Inextinguishable Symphony
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It gave me an intimate perspective of what it must have been like to be living as a German Jew during Hitler's reign. The book also gave an intimate portrait of what it is like to be a professional musician. I especially enjoyed Mr. Goldsmith's musical descriptions. I was almost brought to tears reading about the concerts that the two main characters played in. The author spent a great deal of time writing about the music that was performed. As a musician I found it very interesting because I was familiar with many of the composers, operas, and music. People who may not appreciate or be familiar with great classical music might not be as thrilled as I was with the details. However, I found the writing to be so warm, exciting, and intimate that I couldn't put the book down. Mr. Goldsmith had a way of making me feel as though I were right there with his parents during this sad time in history. I would recommend this book to anyone!
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Summary: Don't Pass on This Moving, Touching Book
Review: I am continually amazed at the strength of the human spirit and its ability to rebound from tragedy. When faced with the odds against it and in the most discouraging and threatening times, the human spirit seems to find a way to survive. This theme is evident throughout this inspiring and sometimes thrilling book. I was deeply touched by the reality of this story and particularly of the sensitivity with which it was written. I had difficulty putting the book down and would recommend it. It reads easily, but more importantly, stays with you, which I always find to be the trait of a remarkable book.
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Summary: KUBU REVISITED
Review: I grew up in Berlin, Germany, was born there in 1924. I attended perfornances of the KUBU (Kulturbund) for short and the JUGENDKUBU (JUGEND means young people) who were also lookIng for some cultural events in their lives. I did not understand, at the time, time, how the KUBU came about. But just like Jewish schools which were organized by unemployed teachers and school people to meet the needs of the children of all ages banned from the public schools, the KUBU filled a need. The author describes well the tension among the artists, whether to leave or to stay. It was a common problem at the time. Those with not enough foresight paid dearly for not imagining the horror of the future, but then many had no place to go.Thanks to the author for treating the topic.
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Summary: Powerful and Moving
Review: I heard Martin Goldsmith on NPR last week and rushed to buy this book. Masterfully written and a very moving true story. You'll be moved to tears, but be joyed that you've read this excellent piece of work.
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