Notes on the Trapp Family in Austria

Book excerpt: This study is about the real Austrian Trapp family until 1939. Using scores of contemporaneous sources, this fully referenced book for the first time presents Maria Trapp's own family: the Kutscheras, the Reiners, and her foster family, the Kramers. Moreover, the first chapter critically analyzes Maria's tales about her childhood and youth up to her wedding with Georg (von) Trapp. The second chapter covers Georg, his family, his activities in war and business, as well as the family choir started in 1934. Several misconceptions, from Georg having been a baron to his alleged anti-fascism, get corrected here, too. The third chapter overturns the central myth of the Trapp family story: there is no evidence that the Trapps ever received offers by the Nazis or resisted them; on the contrary, Georg unsuccessfully tried to solicit business in Germany. Nor were the Trapps in danger of persecution, or fled from Austria. Filled with details as well as context, this book is different from everything you have ever seen, heard, or read about the Trapp family. But please note that this book is not about the adaptations of the family's stories, such as "The Sound of Music", nor does it contain illustrations.