A Brief Guide to The Sound of Music

Everyone has heard the songs from The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The stage show was a roaring success in New York and London, and the much-loved feature film, directed by Hollywood veteran Robert Wise, continues to be a staple of television schedules 50 years after its release in 1965.

In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, Paul Simpson explores the incredible story of the Von Trapp family and their escape from the Third Reich in all its incarnations, from real-life adventure, to book, to stage, to award-winning film to cultural phenomenon. He discusses the stage show, the many differences that were incorporated into the fictionalisation of the tale, and how that story was brought to the screen. He also looks at the numerous other ways in which the Von Trapp s story has been told, including the two West German movies from the 1950s and the extensive forty-part Japanese anime series from the 1990s, to explain why the story of the Von Trapp family has appealed to so many generations.

Praise for A Brief Guide to Stephen King:

'The best book about King and his work I have ever read' Books Monthly

“Essential guide to the iconic film.”

One of the smaller volumes in a bumper year for Sound of Music books, but it has a lot of good things about it . . . I'm certainly glad I picked it up! - Cozynook

Paul Simpson has written on a wide variety of topics, with his recent books including an acclaimed overview of conspiracy theories, a history of spying since the Second World War, an anthology of prison breaks, and examinations of the careers of J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Stephen King as well as the world of L. Frank Baum's Oz. He has been a conductor and musical director for over thirty years and runs three choirs near to his home in a small village north of Brighton, England.

The incredible story behind the world's best-loved musical and the remarkable family who inspired it The story of the Von Trapp family and their dramatic escape from the Nazis has been made into numerous different books, musicals and films. In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, Paul Simpson explores the Von Trapps' extraordinary tale in all its forms: real-life adventure, book, stage show, award-winning film, and international cultural phenomenon. He looks in detail at how the beloved Broadway musical was brought triumphantly to the screen in Robert Wise's Oscar-winning film, revealing the many divergences from reality that fictionalisation brought. He also examines intriguing, though less well known adaptions, such as the two West German movies from the 1950s and the 40-part Japanese anime series from the 1990s. A wonderful celebration of half a century of the unforgettable Von Trapps and their inspiring story of wartime escape, struggle and ultimate success. Praise for the author: 'The best book about [Stephen] King and his work I have ever read.' Books Monthly

Everyone has heard the songs from The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The stage show was a roaring success in New York and London, and the much-loved feature film, directed by Hollywood veteran Robert Wise, continues to be a staple of television schedules 50 years after its release in 1965. In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, Paul Simpson explores the incredible story of the Von Trapp family and their escape from the Third Reich in all its incarnations, from real-life adventure, to book, to stage, to award-winning film to cultural phenomenon. He discusses the stage show, the many differences that were incorporated into the fictionalisation of the tale, and how that story was brought to the screen. He also looks at the numerous other ways in which the Von Trapp s story has been told, including the two West German movies from the 1950s and the extensive forty-part Japanese anime series from the 1990s, to explain why the story of the Von Trapp family has appealed to so many generations.Praise for A Brief Guide to Stephen King: 'The best book about King and his work I have ever read' Books Monthly

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