Rating: 
Summary: ALL THEY HAD WAS THEIR MUSIC
Review: The Inextinguishable Symphony is a remarkable story that was written by Martin Goldsmith.This true story, about his parents, describes the way music was able to exist for Jewish audiences and performers during the time of Hitler during his attempt to eliminate the Jewish population. An organization called the Kulturband was formed to control groups of Jewish people and to show the world that times were not so bad in their country through the use of music. There is concern that this wonderful opportunity for the Jewish community might have kept some of the Jews from fleeing to safety when they had a chance to go. Music was so important to the Jews that they risked their lives to practice at hours when this was not allowed. Mr. Goldsmith tells the love story of his parents as they played their music during these difficult times. Mr. Goldsmith makes his best effort to describe this love and passion but this love and passion is impossible to put into words by anyone. Music kept this couple, along with many other Jews alive. The most important thing that I learned from this book was how important music can be to people. It is not just entertainment with a fine glass of wine. Music is life. Music is meaning. Music is everything! I am a great lover of music but now I have a far greater appreciation for music and the struggles that people indured to maintain their love for music during such a horrible time in our history. This is a must read for everyone, especially musicians.
Rating:
Summary: Used
Review: This is a remarkable account of Martin Goldsmith's parents who survived the early years of the Nazi regine through music. I have, however, labeled this review as "used" because, as Goldsmith so wisely noted, the organization set up by the Nazis was a tool in their hands to placate the west into thinking that the Jews were NOT being mishandled. When the real schemes of Hitler and his henchmen became better known, the Jews were out of the picture. Fortunately for some, they (like Goldsmith's parents) were able to escape to America...but not all. Many in the jewish community could not see, or pehaps did not wish to see the horrors which were about to become realities. This account gives yet another view into the those days of the late 30s as Hitler was gaining more power at the expense of human life. What is disturbing is that so many in Germany were misled by the lies of this little man with the funny mustache. This could make a person wonder what lies are being told today, lies which are taking people down the wrong road. The book is a must read for anyone wishing to become more familiar with this awful time in human history. Goldsmith is to be commended for the effort. Lets hope that many of today's teens will be encouraged to read this account, an important work in the face of today's revisionists, those who would say the holocaust did not happen.
Rating:
Summary: A story of love and family
Review: This is a story of love, family and music told against the backdrop of the Nazi era. This is a moving story about the author's family and how they endured the hardships as Jews in Germany through their love of music.I have read many books on the holocaust and I find this book to be one of the most moving and touching. It's impossible to read this book without shedding a tear. It is a great story, and I truly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: a gripping Holocaust narrative
Review: This is a terrific book. Unlike other Holocaust memoirs, this one does not focus on the camps, but rather on the author's father, mother and grandparents who were (largely) spared thanks to their musical ability. The author does a great job reporting the years leading up to the Nuremberg laws and the pograms. In fact, it's kind of rare to read such a gripping account of the 10-15 year period preceding the camps. We really feel the righteous indigation that the Jews felt since they were such strong German patriots, many of whom had fought for Germany. Many considered themselves Germans first and Jews second. The author writes a gripping tale of music, culture and Nazi horrors -- my only small complaint is his heavy handed foreshadowing which seems entirely unnecessary since most of us know how the story turns out. The musical diversions and descriptions of concert repoirtoiry were fascinating in their own rite. Not to mention the irony of all the great German composers, yet after a while the Jews were not allowed to "sully" their music.
I was also impressed with his ability to view impartially the role of the Kunderbund -- some say it saved many a life while others say that it kept many Jews in Germany who would have emigrated earlier. The author presents both sides of the debate. The final chapters about the author's grandfather and uncle and the guilt his father bore show us once again how even far into the war many understimated the power of the Nazis. A rivetting read from start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: a gripping Holocaust narrative
Review: This is a terrific book. Unlike other Holocaust memoirs, this one does not focus on the camps, but rather on the author's father, mother and grandparents who were (largely) spared thanks to their musical ability. The author does a great job reporting the years leading up to the Nuremberg laws and the pograms. In fact, it's kind of rare to read such a gripping account of the 10-15 year period preceding the camps. We really feel the righteous indigation that the Jews felt since they were such strong German patriots, many of whom had fought for Germany. Many considered themselves Germans first and Jews second. The author writes a gripping tale of music, culture and Nazi horrors -- my only small complaint is his heavy handed foreshadowing which seems entirely unnecessary since most of us know how the story turns out. The musical diversions and descriptions of concert repoirtoiry were fascinating in their own rite. Not to mention the irony of all the great German composers, yet after a while the Jews were not allowed to "sully" their music.
I was also impressed with his ability to view impartially the role of the Kunderbund -- some say it saved many a life while others say that it kept many Jews in Germany who would have emigrated earlier. The author presents both sides of the debate. The final chapters about the author's grandfather and uncle and the guilt his father bore show us once again how even far into the war many understimated the power of the Nazis. A rivetting read from start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is a wonderful read. I've read many books about Holocaust experiences, and this one gives you a different perspective. It is very well-written, and easy to read. The author gives you the opportunity to get to know the characters, and be interested in their fate. It is also gives you another perspective on the guilt that Holocaust survivors live with throughout their lives. It is definately worth reading, and buying the hardback.
Rating:
Summary: important, moving, modest
Review: This Martin Goldsmith is a multitalented guy . I knew his voice as the host of NPR's Performance Today, and this memoir of his (Jewish) parents' struggles and love in Hitler's Germany shows where he got his classical music genes. It must have taken a lot of courage to write this book -- Goldsmith explains how the Nazi terror was a taboo subject growing up , so we readers are fortunate that he had the courage to tell this beautiful story, and to tell it in such a modest, uncluttered, and elegant way . The chapter about the abortive attempt at escape on the St. Louis is a real cliff-hanger, and his account of the forced march of the jews, including the authors father and uncle, is chilling. Don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Moving Book
Review: This story was impossible to put down and when you finish, it stays with you for a very long time. Its hard to believe that Gunther and Rosemary didn't make every effort to help their parents emigrate to U. S. What really bothers me most is, not being Jewish, what would I have done in Germany in the late thirties and early forties when I saw these atrocities happening?
Rating:
Summary: A Very Moving Book
Review: This story was impossible to put down and when you finish, it stays with you for a very long time. Its hard to believe that Gunther and Rosemary didn't make every effort to help their parents emigrate to U. S. What really bothers me most is, not being Jewish, what would I have done in Germany in the late thirties and early forties when I saw these atrocities happening?
Rating:
Summary: Awesome story of love highly recommend
Review: This was a wonderful experience of survival. I was propelled into the lives of my "relatives" at a time in our recent past ... all historically true! The book was gripping, I could not put it down. Memories of Victor Frankle's quote of Fredrick Nitche "He who has a 'why' to live for, can conquer any 'how'", as he survived from within the concentration camp, are repeated as these lovers flourish from "outside" of the that horror. A story of a son's relationship to his parents, and their passion and discovery of each other. Thank you to the Goldsmith family!!! A place of honor in my library! -Craig Levine lotusnotesclp@kfwbmail.com
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