Here is the story of one of the world's most beloved and remarkable families. Known for their distinguished singing career and subjects of the musical and movie The Sound of Music, the vonTrapp family occupies a special place in the hearts of millions around the world. This book takes us on a fascinating tour of the lives of the vonTrapps, introducing the original family of five girls and two boys of Baron Georg von Trapp and his wife, Agathe. After the mother's death, a young teacher, Maria, comes into the vonTrapp home and becomes the second wife and mother to the family. They form a singing group, flee from Hitler-invaded Austria, and start new lives in America as the Trapp Family Singers. Their concert tours around the world and the creation of a new home, a music camp, and lodge in Stowe, Vermont, round out this heartwarming story.
"...I am delighted with the new book about my family...the book answers many of the questions people have asked me over the years..."
------ Johannes von Trapp
William Anderson vacationed at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont many times before he wrote articles on the beautiful resort owned by the original family whose life was adapted in "The Sound of Music." Articles on the Lodge and the history of the family were published in Family Life Today, The Saturday Evening Post and American History Illustrated, before a request came to do a book on the von Trapps -- in Japanese!
The Trapp family is just as popular in Japan as they are in America, so Kyuryudo Publishing Company asked for a factual book on the singing Austrian family and their adventures. David Wade served as photographer, and he traveled to Austria, Vermont and beyond for the beautiful photography which spreads throughout the book. William Anderson did extensive research and interviews with the remaining seven von Trapp children (he had earlier interviewed Maria herself). He poured through the family's scrap books and photo collection, selecting material to add to the book.
Following publication of The World of the Trapp Family in Japan, an American edition was prepared. Members of the Trapp Family have graciously appeared at autograph sessions for the book, and this remains one of William Anderson's favorite book projects.
"The Trapps were a real family whose life was a work of art and Anderson's book, addressed to readers of all ages, is worthy to represent it ... It's like having the family album in your hands!"
--Birmingham Observer
Autographing session for THE WORLD OF THE TRAPP FAMILY in Burlington, VT
From left: Werner vonTrapp, Erika vonTrapp, William Anderson, and Maria vonTrapp
