The basis for the movie of the same name; an astonishing tale of one lock of hair and its amazing travels--from nineteenth-century Vienna to twenty-first-century America.When Ludwig van Beethoven lay dying in 1827; a young musician named Ferdinand Hiller came to pay his respects to the great composer; snipping a lock of Beethoven's hair as a keepsake--as was custom at the time--in the process. For a century; the lock of hair was a treasured Hiller family relic; until it somehow found its way to the town of Gilleleje; in Nazi-occupied Denmark. There; it was given to a local doctor; Kay Fremming; who was deeply involved in the effort to help save hundreds of hunted and frightened Jews.After Fremming's death; his daughter assumed ownership of the lock; and eventually consigned it for sale at Sotheby's; where two American Beethoven enthusiasts; Ira Brilliant and Che Guevara; purchased it in 1994. Subsequently; they and others instituted a series of complex forensic tests in the hope of finding the probable causes of the composer's chronically bad health; his deafness; and the final demise that Ferdinand Hiller had witnessed all those years ago. The results; revealed for the first time here; are the most compelling explanation yet offered for why one of the foremost musicians the world has ever known was forced to spend much of his life in silence.In Beethoven's Hair; Russell Martin has created a rich historical treasure hunt; a tale of false leads; amazing breakthroughs; and incredible revelations. This unique and fascinating book is a moving testament to the power of music; the lure of relics; the heroism of the Resistance movement; and the brilliance of molecular science.
#3559379 in Books M.E. Sharpe 2007-09-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .60 x 8.00l; 1.05 #File Name: 076568103X96 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Paige C. HungerfordInteresting read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Chineswe Myth: Treasury of Legends; Art and HistoryBy acanalGreat book to gain insights in some of Chinese Myths; legends and history.Well put together and easily read and full of great facts. Very colorful!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Appreciate and enjoy Chinese MythBy Walter W. KoThis is a good collection of stories; art and history for non-Chinese young readers for a basic understanding. Out of curiosity; youngsters are motivated to explore more for learning and appreciation. Mr Philip Wilkinson did a good job in complying this concise; readable book with color pictures and photos in almost every page.As a book reviewer in dual cultures; I offer my two-cent supplement and suggestion. On page 8; Philip wrote "Confucius encouraged the worship of some of the ancient gods and goddesses". Confucianism was moral teaching and Confucius was honored as the "Eternal Teacher" and his Analects were studied by all students to achieve scholar status. Confucius encouraged not only to honor one's parents and ancestors; but also cared for one's young as well as others for an orderly; peaceful; harmonious and civil society. His family value still is being advocated by American politicians. On page 56; he wrote "Confucius also taught using poetry". Confucius expressed himself beautifully known as being a philosopher. He was never known as a poet! On page 41 the picture next to the calligraphy caption was nothing associated with calligraphy. The Chinese writings on the painting means "the fifth and seventh days of Hell Emperor". On page 49; he elaborated the herbal doctor Sun Simiao. He even mentioned that people said parts of Sun's body were transparent. This is a misquote associated with the farmer god; Shen Nong who was credited to discover and invent the tea drinking habit. On page 60; he mentioned Chinese fleets sailing from South Chinese Sea to Africa and talked about an admirer sent a giraffe as a gift. He failed to mention the Chinese great Muslim navigator; Zhang He in Ming Dynasty under Emperor Yongle in these two pages but with only a brief in Timeline of China on page 91. It is wonderful he included a 18th century painting on the three faiths in China ( p.66). Should the West learn the wisdom of harmony and peace as there were no wars and killings among the three faith followers?! LOZI's Dao De Jing (The Way and Its Power) is very popular in the West since its introduction three hundred years ago. Many westerns find this book as a guide for freedom and power by following the Tao! The Chinese Heavely Empire is wide open; the only entrance qualification to achieve the status of immortal is to do good deeds or display some exceptional ability; (no savior is needed)! On the chapter on Monkey; he changed one of Chinese famous book - Journey to the West into his story. Readers are advised to check out this title to fully enjoy. I would lik to point out that on p.91; he mentioned 1840 Britian and China fight a war for control of the opium trade. The right sentense should read: China fight an Opium War with Britain to stop British opium smuggle to China to poison Chinese people because English ran a trade deficit. England was immoral to wage war as a dope pusher!This simple book is a good orientation to China and Chinese for our young people Understanding and appreciation help foster friendship and goodwill for a world free from bias; discrimination and war
