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Memories Before and After the Sound of Music: An Autobiography by [Agathe Trapp]

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Agathe Trapp

Memories Before and After the Sound of Music: An Autobiography Kindle Edition

by Agathe Trapp (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Agathe von Trapp, the oldest daughter in the Trapp Family Singers, offers readers the real story behind an American classic in her poignant and fascinating autobiography Memories Before and After The Sound of Music. The courageous family and events immortalized in the beloved Broadway musical and hit Hollywood film come vibrantly alive in these pages, and Agathe’s post-Sound of Music life is equally compelling.

Print length

258 pages
Language

English
Publisher

William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication date

September 14, 2010
File size

3803 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The eldest daughter in the Trapp Family Singers writes poignantly…..In her telling, we learn the real details in this truly providential tale about a tight-knit, devoted, and wonderfully gifted family.”

From Booklist

From the seasoned perspective of her eighty-nine years, Agathe, the eldest von Trapp family daughter paints a rose-hued portrait of life before and after the highly fictionalized Broadway and Hollywood account of her famous family’s story. Though diehard Sound of Music fans may be disappointed to learn that the von Trapps’ “escape” from Austria—they simply boarded a train to Italy—was much less dramatic than the memorable Technicolor climb over the mountains depicted in the movie, their hearts will still be blessed with the sound of music that resonates throughout the pages of this charming, family-friendly memoir. Agathe dishes no dirt; in fact, her recollections of her beloved Mamá, Papá, stepmother, and fairy-tale-like childhood in Austria, are all refreshingly positive and upbeat. A gentle patriarch, unlike the strict disciplinarian portrayed in both the stage and film versions, Georg von Trapp, oversaw the musical education of all his children after the death of his first wife. After immigrating to the U.S. and embarking on their collective musical career as the Trapp Family Singers, the close-knit bonds forged in their Tyrolean childhoods never frayed. Though less fantastical, Agathe’s homespun recollections, illustrated with her own sketches and family photos, is a must-read for diehard Sound of Music fans. Sugar-sweet but never saccharine. --Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author

Agathe von Trapp was born in Austria in 1913. A member of the original Trapp Family Singers, Agathe traveled with the group on their worldwide concert tours in thirty countries. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From the Back Cover

The heartwarming true story of the family made legendary by The Sound of Music—as told by Agathe, the eldest von Trapp daughter.

The Sound of Music has captivated generations with its inspiring story of courage, love, music, and familial devotion. Audiences the world over have taken the von Trapp family into their hearts, joyfully celebrating their many triumphs and their daring escape from the Nazis.

In this charming, poignant, and unforgettable memoir, Agathe von Trapp, the eldest daughter, shares the true story of her family, the events that inspired the internationally beloved musical and film, and what happened to the von Trapps in the years after. Blessed with impeccable recall, Agathe shares her vivid memories of a childhood spent in an idyllic Austrian home with her brothers, sisters, and gentle, loving father; of the tragic loss of their mother; of the arrival of Maria; and of the bonding of a close-knit group of siblings who achieved great fame and endured great hardship.

Beautifully adorned with Agathe von Trapp's sketches and personal photographs, Memories Before and After the Sound of Music transports readers to a bygone time as it tells the intimate, loving story of a renowned and truly remarkable family.

--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From the Inside Flap

The heartwarming true story of the family made legendary by The Sound of Music--as told by Agathe, the eldest von Trapp daughter.

--Publishers Weekly --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003V1WSSC
Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Illustrated edition (September 14, 2010)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 14, 2010
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3803 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #252,439 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #232 in Country & Folk Composer Biographies
- #276 in Biographies of Actors & Actresses
- #297 in Theatre Biographies

Customer Reviews:
537 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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AmandaPup

Thoroughly enjoyed

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016

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I always enjoy reading about the average person and I suspect Agathe von Trapp would have considered herself average even though she tells of a life foreign to most of us. No show biz glamour and even her early life of privilege doesn't sound overly coddled.
Before buying the book, I read one review which puzzled me and I am addressing it to help others. The reviewer remarked that the book seemed to have been written to "get even" although no suggestion as to with whom. Having previously Maria von Trapp's story (decades ago) and enough other commentary to know that the original Maria was not the sweet naif of the show and movie. She was a strong willed woman capable of dominating her husband and directing everyone's life as she thought. Perhaps just what was needed at the time, but I wondered if Agathe had spoken unkindly of the woman she called Mother. No such thing. She speaks respectfully and fondly of Maria.
The only point at which I felt there was any regret shown was in the reaction to the Sound of Music. She admits to being unhappy with the show, especially with unflattering and totally inaccurate portrayal of her beloved father.
She is certainly not the first person to be disappointed when dramatic license is chosen over accuracy of detail. I recall that upon seeing Sunrise at Campobello, Eleanor Roosevelt remarked something to the effect that it was an interesting play but the characters were not accurate portrayals of the originals. In time Agathe von Trapp came to have similar feelings about the Sound of Music.

51 people found this helpful

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Paul Ritz

Behind the Sound of Music

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018

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This was a pleasant summer read. It’s really a number of books wrapped into an easy read.

First it’s a brief history of the Trapp family going back several generations.! It’s intetesting because it also includes a nice historical perspective of ever changing Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Secondly, it provides nice information about the family prior to Maria entering the scene. Her obvious love and affection for her parents is nice. In addition, it gives nice information regarding her mother and grandmother.

The next phase is Maria’s entrance into the family. It clarifies the timeline the obvious changes made by Hollywood.

Another pleasant aspect of the book is it takes us to a simpler and more innocent time as she describes their moving to Amera and touring.

Finally, I enjoyed the way the author came to terms with musical. She finally appreciated it for its influence and how it has affected several generations. Nicely done. There is a great deal of detail that sometimes drags. However, I thought it was a nice pleasant read about a subject that is dear to many people

15 people found this helpful

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Not quite The Sound of Music, but still interesting...

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

After reading a book about movie musicals, I decided to read something more about the story behind one of the biggest musicals ever—The Sound of Music. Agathe Von Trapp was the second child and oldest daughter of Captain Georg Von Trapp, and Memories Before and After The Sound of Music is her autobiography. It is mostly delightful and includes sketches drawn by the author. However, fans of the movie may be disappointed that the life of the Von Trapp family is often quite different from the movie-version.

Memories Before and After The Sound of Music spends much time describing Agathe’s childhood. Her father was a handsome submarine commander in the Austrian Navy. Their mother, also named Agathe, came from Austrian aristocrats on one side, and a wealthy British inventor and industrialist on the other. They married and had seven children before Agathe died from scarlet fever. Their childhood is disrupted by World War I, and then again with the rise of the Nazi party and World War II. The author makes a special effort to tell the reader all the fiction in the movie based on their lives. She claims that their father wasn’t stern but loving and kind. He was always interested in music and never had them stop performing after the death of his wife. Step-mother Maria was also not the wonderful woman portrayed by Julie Andrews, and she was only hired to tutor one sister who was sick at home. Although it seems like there was genuine affection between Maria and her step-children, Agathe claims that Maria could also be quite difficult. But at some point, Agathe comes to accept The Sound of Music and the role it will play in the lives of all the Von Trapps.

I will admit that I thought this book got bogged down in spots. There seems to be a lot of name dropping with castles and estates in which the family stayed. But several themes shine through, and they are family, faith and music. Even after the family stopped touring in 1956, they remained close and the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont is still the center of family activity.

Even though Agathe’s story doesn’t always parallel The Sound of Music, it is still a fascinating one. And where The Sound of Music ends with their escape from Austria, Agathe fills in the time after that as they settle into American life.

21 people found this helpful

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Bettye Hull

The REAL story behind the Von Trapps

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

This was written by the oldest daughter, Agathe (Liesl in the movie). It was an eye opener to discover things like Agathe was 25 when they came to America, and that they returned and lived more years in Austria before returning permanently to the US. There is not much about Maria (the 2nd wife of the Captain), but Agathe paints a wonderful picture of their loving father who was not nearly as stern and military-ish as the movie portrays. Too bad there weren't photographs of the various houses they lived in, and reading it on an e-reader makes it harder to enjoy the photos there were because of size. I enjoyed discovering more about the singing family as they became more "real" through Agathe's eyes. Also, it was good to see Agathe's opinion of The Sound of Music go from irritation to appreciation.

11 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

Great book very insightful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book is fascinating if you have an Interest in the sound of music and the von Trapp family it's a great book just don't expect it to be a written record like the sound of music it's not like the film at all but I actually thought it was better because of that. Shows you a different side to the family everyone thinks they know.

Kindle Customer

Excellent read very interesting

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

Excellent read, I found this book so interesting and very enjoyable. As a big fan of the film I was always curious to read about the real lives of the von tramp family singers. I really loved reading this book and could no put it down. It's such an amazing read,would highly recommend this book to be read.

One person found this helpful

ink

Very Interesting Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

Though I am only Half way through it answers many questions we all have.

One person found this helpful

envelope

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

Good to get the non film version of events

2 people found this helpful

🙋🏽 🐚 🤎💛🧡

A Light & EASY Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

Thank God for Agatha Von Trapp.....Writing a book that IS EASY to Read & A Total Delight.....including being 'A Light Read'......& About her and the very 'Real & Alive People' in her life.....that helped 'paint a picture' of Clarity & Understanding & Compassion, loss & Trust.....
Thanku Amazon for this Book!! 👍👍🏾👏👏🏾😜

2 people found this helpful