Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and inspiring
Review: "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" is the wonderful life story of the Trapp family singers. Maria details how she met and married the Baron Georg von Trapp; loved and cared for his children; and went on to have three children of her own. The first half of the book is set against the background of pre-World War II Austria, with charming details of holidays and the annual Salzburg music festival.Then the Baron loses his money; and the family uses their musical talents to earn a living. They become more and more successful, but when the Nazis invade Austria, the von Trapps must choose between material success (on the Nazis' terms) or freedom (and starting over) in America. Their choice proves to be an inspirational one. The second half of the book deals with the von Trapps's new life in America. There are many comical scenes of Maria's struggle to learn English. And they also face the problems of continuing their careers in America, as well as dealing with publicity, agents, etc. But their faith in God sees them through all difficulties. I really found this book inspiring. The von Trapps never gave up, even when they were tempted to, many times. They were --and are-- a strong family.
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Summary: I have read this book....
Review: ....in the german language - but that's not important. The story is written very good. But the cover is sign in on the false side. Sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Truth is Better than Fiction....
Review: ...and while I have loved the movie "The Sound of Music" since I first saw it when I was 16 years old (24 years ago), I must say the book is a better story. My 19 year old daughter read this aloud to us a while ago and my 2 younger children (ages 9 and 3) LOVED it and begged to have more than one chapter each night. I love WWII history and so I loved this book for that reason too. We found it very interesting to learn so much about what it was like to be Catholic. It seems this family loved each other very much, and their faith was amazing too. One time they had a need and the family took turns for many days to pray around the clock, each up and praying for an hour I think it was. You could tell they LOVED God very much, and depended on HIM for all things. And He never failed them. Their life was not without trials and heartache. I recommend this book highly as a family read-aloud. You will not be disappointed.
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Summary: A slightly skewed version of reality
Review: Along with everyone else who has read this book, I loved "The Sound of Music" and knew that it was a glossed over account of their real life. I picked up this book, hoping that there would me some truth to it. While I am sure that the majority of the events DID happen, they way they are presented leaves much to be desired. I got the impression reading this book that there was yet a 3rd side to the story that is not presented here. This is the story of the family, as told by Maria. This is the book on which the movie is based. The book leads the reader to believe that everything was sunshine and roses and that whenever anything bad happened, God provided the opportunities. While I am not doubting Maria's faith, I also think that she worked her tail off to get some of the opportunites the family recieved. This book is very moving. Some of the antics of the little kids made me chuckle and the story of Georg's death brought tears to my eyes. I would be interested in finding out what happened later..... I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: More real than the movie ever could be
Review: I read the 1949 edition of this book, and in doing so I got to share in Maria's heart, her mind, her faith, her family. I feel as if I know them all! Too bad the movie didn't come even close to being as real as this true story. I can't help but feel like America was fed a fluff story of little substance with "The Sound of Music", and too bad everyone knows the stars but not the real Trapps! May the remaining original Trapps be blessed and honored, wherever they may be living out their years.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough, honest, realistic, GREAT!
Review: I wanted to cry after reading this, which is unusual for me. Maria Augusta's Trapp's honesty as she shares her struggles of adjusting to new social groups is amazing. This book offers insights into what culture shock is truly like; so it would be great for the social sciences, especially multicultural educatiion.
Rating:
Summary: I cried my heart out, Laughed my tears out
Review: I was so suprised when I discoverd a tatterd copy on my mothers shelf. The movie is so diffrent from the story. I liked the movie but Johannes,Lorli, and Rosemary were forgotten. When they decide to hold the music camp, I coud just picture little Maria teaching her little students the recorder. Also why leave out the true names of all besides Maria and Georg? What happend to Johanna, Martina,Hedwig,Agathe,Rupert, Werner,and Maria? Over all this was a 10 star book. I reccomend it to ages 11-?
Rating:
Summary: Maybe not completely true, but still throughly readable
Review: I, too, saw the A&E Biography of the Von Trapp family, which revealed the "real" story. So, while reading Maria's book, I had to be somewhat skeptical when she characterized herself as a decent, noble, loving mother, always ready to do the will of God, (Well, she probably was, at least in part.) Despite this skepticism, I still enjoyed the book. Parts of it are quite humorous, and others are filled with richly detailed descriptions of Austrian folk life and thier celebrations of holidays. Some parts were even a little moving, too. It was nice to hear what really went on, even if Maria left certain things out conveiently. There's no reason why anyone shouldn't read this, especially if they're interested in the story behind The Sound of Music. Even if it isn't the complete true story, it's still throughly engaging. And it's got to be at least half-true, so, oh, well.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful woman
Review: In the late 1960s, when I was maybe 9 years old, my mother let me ditch school to attend a lecture by Maria von Trapp. I'm guessing that the author was promoting a newer edition of her book at the time. She struck me as an opinionated, very strong personality, but one who had twinkling eyes and who encouraged me to continue my piano lessons. The baroness autographed my EZ-Play "Sound of Music" piano book, but sternly made sure that I realized that the movie was not REALLY what her life was about--that it was just Hollywood stuff. When I grew up and became a music teacher myself for 15 years, I wish I'd remembered this book, because I would have recommended it to every student of mine. I just found this copy in an antique shop, but THIS one won't be recycled or resold! What comes through on every page is the dedication to a will and purpose higher than any human's will. This was not meant to be a "religious" book, but a history of a family who made a huge difference in the world by their faithful service to God. Being willing to work hard, submit their discomfort or inconvenience to God's will and have Him turn it into great blessings and lessons for the family and indeed the world, are truly building blocks of faith, hope, love, and encouragement. In addition, the stories of the family's dedication to their profession and the pursuit of excellence are inspiring. To attain such stature and not have one's nose in the clouds is an accomplishment in itself! (Ever meet a music scholar or highly-educated performer? The humble ones are few and far between.) I agree with the other reviewers that Maria probably was the Captain of the family, but look what happened to a country peasant girl who was truly noble, not just assigned the title!
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing, Entertaining, But Incomplete
Review: It's been a while since I've read this book, and I realize now that Maria Von Trapp wrote it in the style of an earlier time in which the main characters look unfailingly noble. While we can admire the family's stand against the Nazis, the details that have been left out, which were recently revealed by A&E's "Biography" make them more human and realistic. For in reality, we learn that Maria was the stern, tempermental, dictatorial one and the Captain the more mild mannered one, and that it was against Maria whom the children had to fight for their independance when they wanted lives outside the singing group. The A&E version also gives a more detailed account of Maria's harsh childhood, that she hadn't always been so religious and in fact had been an atheist at one point, her stepchildren's true feelings about accepting her into the family, and the way Maria took her husband for granted. Her account of their lives resulted in one of the world's greatest musicals, and is a clear monument to virtue in the world, but as part of a modern audience, I don't mind a touch more reality and humanness to such stories. Without it, they seem a little too lofty and untouchable.
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