The Story of the Trapp Family Singers

Rating:
Summary: Sound of Music -- parts one AND TWO!
Review: Though our whole family loves the movie "The Sound of Music," the book -- as usual -- is much better! It includes so much more detail and personal and historical facts to add to the story. The movie covered only the first HALF of this book -- and the second half is the best part! I've often wished they would make a "sequel" to "The Sound of Music" to show the wonderful "rest of the story!" This is a great "READ-ALOUD" book for families with even quite young children, an excellent "historical read" for older children, and fine entertainment and inspiration for young and old alike!

Rating:
Summary: Ave Maria!
Review: What a wonderful book! I laughed and cried all the way through it. The story of the Trapp family, their adventures, their singing career and their camp were uplifting. And the constant trust in God and the way in which they lived out their Catholic faith were beautifully described. A story full of the joys and sorrows of real life.

Rating:
Summary: The film is just the beginning
Review: When I started this book I expected to discover that the film is very different from the reality of the Trapp family. I was surprised to find that much of the film is accurate. Notable changes/omissions in the film are the children's names, the date of Georg and Maria's marriage, dealings with Hitler and the Nazis, the family's devout religious practices, and the "escape" from Austria. Much of the book deals with the Trapp family's struggles and triumphs in America. In its Biography of the family, A & E tv implies that Maria paints a rosy picture in this book and glosses over some of the darker chapters in the family's life. I did not find that to be the case. I feel that Maria tells her story, warts and all. You will love learning about Georg's first wife, the true story of leaving Austria, Maria's effort at grasping English, the fascinating religious rituals, and the recurring reality of how music truly saved their lives.