Rating: 
Summary: Faintly interesting... Very repetitive.
Review: The biggest problem I had with this book is that Gottfried Wagner's assumption/conclusion is that Richard Wagner's music is inherently fascist and cannot be separated from that fascism. I, for one, discovered Wagner and became passionate about his music long before I even knew he was anti-semetic and an inspiration for Hitler. Even now, knowing Wagner's views, I still think one can easily separate the man from the music. You can easily admire what someone does, but hate who they are as a person. Talent is completely different from character.I was annoyed how Gottfried continually made statements like, "I grew even further away from my father". By the umpteenth time, you wonder if G. understands he made his point pages and pages ago that he and his father were never the best of friends. We understand this point, G., so please move on. The most unfortunate part of the book was its lack of insight. It just went 'round and 'round and did not go anywhere. The one good point was that G. is obviously someone who sticks up for what he believes in. For that, I give him strong credit. My advice... stick to Wagner's music and avoid books like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Far away airplane
Review: There was a puzzling noise I noticed while reading this book. It was like a little airplace, far away. It would stop when I put the book down. That was when I got it. It was the sound of the author, whining. Though I have to admit that I am immensely glad I didn't have the misfortune to be born into the family of Richard Wagner's descendents; it sounds a ghastly family. But this is a book without insight, into the family or into himself. Gottfried Wagner should have written it, addressed it to his father, and then ... thrown it away. It's best to write angry personal letters, to get the bile out, but never send them. Certainly, he should never have published it (nor should his publishers), and when he reflects I'm sure he finds this book immensely embarrassing. Needless to say, there are no insights into his ancestor, the composer Richard Wagner, here. We know what Wagner would have made of Hitler, because Wagner actually knew the ancestors of Nazism: Adolph Stoecker, Bernard Foerster and so on. He expressed utter contempt for them both in public and in private, and avoided being associated with them. Wagner's descendents were certainly not following in the tradition Wagner himself set, when they feted Hitler. Maybe there is one tiny insight of relevance to Richard Wagner in this book: it is that on both sides of his bitterly divided family, he was unlucky in his descendents. Laon
Rating:
Summary: Self-absorbed twaddle
Review: This was a crashing disappointment on several fronts. Gottfried Wagner is in a unique position to dish major dirt on the Bayreuth Wagner clan, yet he inexplicably chooses to focus the center of attention on himself. The problem is that Gottfried is not especially likeable or interesting and suffers from a case of self-absorption unequalled in recent history. He repeatedly drones on about how he was persecuted and ignored by his father, misunderstood by the other Wagners and shunted aside for no good reason. Ho hum. The second disappointment is that this book was marketed as containing many "new" revelations about Hitler and his relationship with Wagner grandmother Winifred. Notice that Hitler is featured prominently on the cover of the book, flanked by Wieland and Wolfgang. Gottfried again could have provided fascinating, new glimpses into Winifred, who was a fanatic, but at least a fascinating woman. This was an opportunity for Gottfried to unearth new tid-bits relating to Hitler's annual Bayreuth pilgrimages, his relationships with Verena, Friedilind and the Wagner boys, but... again, he drops the ball. There is very little new material offered here. The writing style is unedifying, perhaps the fault of the translator, but to sum up: not worth your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Wanting to be Heard
Review: Unlike the other reviews read here I found this book to be most compelling. The story of a man of a famous family trying to come to terms with himself, his family and society. How difficult it must be for persons born of a family despised by the world, hated for documented emotional outbursts of the most virulent kind. Gottfried Wagner is a man who is trying so hard to find a way to redeem himself in the eyes of society. I for one admire him immensely and found his book to be absolutely fascinating. Reading about the inner story of the Wagner family in the most open way is so revealing of the character of this family. He hides nothing. While I am sure he would never think of himself that way he is a man of the highest level of integrity. I am sure he will find the anwers to his dilemna. If you are a Wagner fan, read it you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: A minor re-hash of well-known history of the Wagner family.
Review: Until this book, few people have ever heard of its author. Further, it is quite likely that others never will. Gotftried has little to his credit as a musician or director. His book is a re-hash of the well-known anti-semitism which pervaded the Wagner family and despite this writing is well-documented by his father's (Wolfgang) book, Acts. The author's attempt to discredit the music of his great-grandfather, Richard Wagner, will fall on deaf ears since those operas are now nearly always complete sell-outs. Witness the 8 year waiting list to attend the Wagner festival at Bayreuth. -- It is a mystery why people continue to castigate Richard Wagner for his well-documented anti-semitism. If this is to be the norm, then Charles Lindbergh, Martin Luther, Henry Ford and many others famous and otherwise should also have that appellation. For those interested in another book like "Mommy Dearest", this would be a good one to read. There is little else of merit in it.
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