Ludwig van Beethoven lay dying in 1827, a young musician named Ferdinand Hiller came to pay his respects to the great composer. In those days, it w...
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Feb 11, 2008
Melissa T
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As boring as this may sound--I was fascinated! It was amazing to see the progression of "beethoven's hair" along to modern times when we actually were able to do testing on it to find out why Beethoven was deaf. Probably my favorite part of the book was when his hair was with a violin in Denmark during WWII--it had probably 40 pages full of the heroism of the Danes during WWII. Obviously that has nothing to do with Beethoven (except that apparently a lock of his hair experienced it!
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Aug 25, 2010
Jon
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There is only one answer to my observation that all "Bestseller" books that I have read are extremely poorly written: there must be a list you can pay to get your book put on called the "Bestseller" list. Seriously. Beethoven's Hair, Colapse, Three Cups of Tea, and others, all claim to be "Bestsellers," and they are are pieces of trash. This book is so poorly written that I groaned out loud at some of the sentences. Take this one on page 97 for example:
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Aug 10, 2011
kingshearte
rated it: 
Although this book had an interesting story to tell, I had some issues with the way Martin chose to tell it.
For starters, the structure of the book was a little off-putting. He alternated chapters concerning the journey and fate of the hair with chapters about Beethoven's life, and I found that kind of jarring, somehow. I also found that he repeated himself a lot, and went into greater detail about seemingly minor incidents than felt necessary. Frankly, a lot of it felt like filler. More...
For starters, the structure of the book was a little off-putting. He alternated chapters concerning the journey and fate of the hair with chapters about Beethoven's life, and I found that kind of jarring, somehow. I also found that he repeated himself a lot, and went into greater detail about seemingly minor incidents than felt necessary. Frankly, a lot of it felt like filler. More...
Sep 17, 2011
Cathy
rated it: 
It was very interesting to learn more about Beethoven and that time period. It was especially enthralling to read about Denmark's success in protecting Jewish people from persecution in WWII -- with doctors in Copenhagen organizing safe havens in hospitals & clinics; boat ferries and even liners secreting Jewish away to Sweden from the northern fishing villages; political interventions and pressures that kept Danish Jews from being sent away from safe camps to be killed in others. And, the Jew
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Jan 16, 2010
Alice
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What a great, true story! A young music student visits Beethoven's deathbed and clips a lock of hair, which stays in his family until WWII. In the 90's, it shows up for auction at Sotheby's and is bought by two American Beethoven afficianados, who subject the hair to various tests in an effort to determine what actually led to his deafness and multiple other medical problems. A virtual who's who of 19th and 20th century historical figures, as well as a concise biography of Beethoven. Marred slig
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Apr 02, 2011
Paul
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The mysteries of Beethoven's hair / Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley- good enjoyable read; A page turner and a real mystery. Reading the book prompted me to download a number of Beethoven pieces from iTunes.I enjoyed the mystery of this particular lock of hair – When it was clipped; who owned and treasured the locket; how it was rescued from the Nazis by an unknown Jewish individual who gave the locket to a Danish doctor. From there, the story recounts how the locket eventually found a home at th
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Mar 10, 2010
Becky
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A wonderfully written, compelling book about Beethoven. The author focuses on a lock of Beethoven's hair, cut after his death in 1827 and preserved in a glass locket. The book skillfully weaves together three narratives: Beethoven's life, the history of the glass locket, and the scientific analysis of the hair in the locket. I found the biography of Beethoven very interesting. I didn't realize before reading that he suffered many medical problems and started to go deaf while only in his twenties
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Apr 02, 2010
lysslyss
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The travels of a few pieces of Beethovens hair? How could that be even SOMEWHAT attractive? Okay, so it's a little weird. It starts off by describing the whereabouts (or should I say "hairabouts"?) of Beethoven's hair during the 1940's--before the possessor realized it's worth and had it tested...
Incredibly, this piece of the infamous composer was protected and handed down from the day Beethoven lay on his deathbed in 1827 I believe, to the current situation. Revealed ar More...
Incredibly, this piece of the infamous composer was protected and handed down from the day Beethoven lay on his deathbed in 1827 I believe, to the current situation. Revealed ar More...
Jan 02, 2012
Kate
rated it:
Very interesting non-fiction read that tells the story of a lock of Beethoven's hair clipped at his death by a young musical protegy and what happens to the lock over the next 200+ years. The mystery surrounding how the lock ended up in Denmark during the Nazi occupation and subequent explusion of Denmark's Jewish population was quite interesting, as was the mystery surrounding how the lock of hair ended up in Denmark. Filled with lots of interesting information about Beethoven, including the m
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Apr 29, 2009
Kris
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This is the intriguing story of a lock of Beethoven's hair, cut at his deathbed and preserved by a Viennese musician, which turns up at auction in the 1990's and is scientifically analyzed. The reader learns about Beethoven's life and circumstances, where the lock of hair traveled before ending up in Arizona, and infomation about hair and bone analysis. Notes from the authors at the end discuss the process of researching the book and offer advice to young writers. There is no bibliography, bu
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Feb 23, 2009
Jen
rated it:
I'm a musician, and I love Beethoven. But I also love good writing.
There are enough facts on record regarding the author's subject--and he knows this; he's included them in the book--to avoid having to make any wild suppositions about the lives of his real-life characters. It's bothering me no end.
I'm also irritated by the complete lack of chronology here. It's a non-fiction book purporting to follow the life of a lock of hair; I don't mind a bit of jumping around, but More...
There are enough facts on record regarding the author's subject--and he knows this; he's included them in the book--to avoid having to make any wild suppositions about the lives of his real-life characters. It's bothering me no end.
I'm also irritated by the complete lack of chronology here. It's a non-fiction book purporting to follow the life of a lock of hair; I don't mind a bit of jumping around, but More...
Jan 20, 2012
Cory
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A very interesting read, the author did a fabulous job in researching and describing the life and times of Beethoven's era. What a sad and painful end to a man who produced such beautiful music. The best part of the book is how many different people and lives and events the author had to cover in his research, from the moment of Beethoven's death to the Jews' flight from Germany during Hitler's reign on into the 60's and 70's. It's not just about Beethoven but the many people who played a sma
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Oct 29, 2011
Laura
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This fascinating book is based on the adult book Beethoven's Hair also by Russell Martin. I've read both, and found that this one really had the details that I wanted. Of course, this book is intended for yound adult audiences so the sentence structure is less complicated as is the vocabulary.
The main question of the book revolves around "What caused Beethoven's deafness and his many periods of severe illess in his life?" Beethoven himself hoped that the question would More...
The main question of the book revolves around "What caused Beethoven's deafness and his many periods of severe illess in his life?" Beethoven himself hoped that the question would More...
Oct 29, 2011
Aida
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Beethoven's life was plagued with illness, despite this he is remembered as one of the greatest composers to have ever lived. During his lifetime the cause of his illness was never known. Fast forward a few centuries and science has found the answer to the mystery of his illness and ultimately his cause of death. All this occurred because of what today would be called a "fan" of the great composer clipped a lock of his hair. This book is fast-paced and is written in such a way that the
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Sep 08, 2009
Linda
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This is the story of a lock of Beethoven’s hair, tracing its authenticity and provenance from Beethoven’s death until the year 2000 when DNA testing was done to try to determine the causes of Beethoven’s poor health and of his death. In Beethoven’s last days, his composer friend Johann Nepomuk Hummel, accompanied by Ferdinand Hiller, one of his students, visited Beethoven. When they returned after Beethoven’s death, Ferdinand asked permission to take some hair from Beethoven’s head. (This was
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May 03, 2009
Susan
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Remember a couple years ago when a lock of Beethoven's hair was sold? This is the story of that lock of hair. It is an interesting investigation into the provinence of the hair and into the determination of what caused Beethoven's mental condition and death.
But the best part is where the history of the hair intersects with WW II. It illuminates a fascinating and under-reported story of human kindness, compassion, and bravery in the face of evil.
The writing is goo More...
But the best part is where the history of the hair intersects with WW II. It illuminates a fascinating and under-reported story of human kindness, compassion, and bravery in the face of evil.
The writing is goo More...
Sep 06, 2008
Rodger
rated it:
In 1827 a budding musician cut a lock of hair from the body of a recently deceased Ludwig Von Beethoven.
In 1995 two Americans employed scientists to open a simple locket that contained a lock of hair, purportedly from the great musician, Beethoven.
This book deals with two questions. 1. How did this lock of hair make the journey from early 19th century Vienna to a late 20th century London auction house, and 2. what does the examination of the hair tell us about the l More...
In 1995 two Americans employed scientists to open a simple locket that contained a lock of hair, purportedly from the great musician, Beethoven.
This book deals with two questions. 1. How did this lock of hair make the journey from early 19th century Vienna to a late 20th century London auction house, and 2. what does the examination of the hair tell us about the l More...
Apr 22, 2009
Sharon
rated it:
What a great, true story! A young music student visits Beethoven's deathbed and clips a lock of hair, which stays in his family until WWII. In the 90's, it shows up for auction at Sotheby's and is bought by two American Beethoven afficianados, who subject the hair to various tests in an effort to determine what actually led to his deafness and multiple other medical problems. A virtual who's who of 19th and 20th century historical figures, as well as a concise biography of Beethoven. Marred
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Oct 29, 2011
There are two reasons this book will never be read by me.
First off, I'm not a big enough fangirl. I read one page, where I was greeted by the words:
“For someone to have that many maladies and to suffer to greatly and yet produce superhuman music, music that can actually elevate the spirit to a much different plane than the ordinary plane we live in, is quite phenomenal. To get this close to a man who was able to do this… for me it’s a personal triumph. Acquiring the ha More...
First off, I'm not a big enough fangirl. I read one page, where I was greeted by the words:
“For someone to have that many maladies and to suffer to greatly and yet produce superhuman music, music that can actually elevate the spirit to a much different plane than the ordinary plane we live in, is quite phenomenal. To get this close to a man who was able to do this… for me it’s a personal triumph. Acquiring the ha More...
Jul 25, 2011
Becky
rated it:
Disappointing. I thought this would be fascinating - My favorite composer, and the mystery of how a locket of his hair ended up in a doctor's possession, probably from a Jew escaping the Nazis in Dennmark.
I found the present story about how two men in Arizona bid on this strange item, chased down the mystery and then used forensic science to learn about Beethoven's illnesses. However, the history of Beethoven and the Ferdinand Hiller who snipped a lock of his hair after Beethoven's More...
I found the present story about how two men in Arizona bid on this strange item, chased down the mystery and then used forensic science to learn about Beethoven's illnesses. However, the history of Beethoven and the Ferdinand Hiller who snipped a lock of his hair after Beethoven's More...
May 07, 2009
Adam Ulrich
rated it:
Really enjoyable book. Discusses a lot about one of the greatest composers of the entire world cause of death.
Compliments the story of how this one hair has been able to travel so much with the story of Beethoven's life chronicled as well. While it might not be no Thayer's Life of Beethoven, it is nonetheless a very enjoyable book and definitely worth reading.
Compliments the story of how this one hair has been able to travel so much with the story of Beethoven's life chronicled as well. While it might not be no Thayer's Life of Beethoven, it is nonetheless a very enjoyable book and definitely worth reading.
Oct 14, 2011
Emily
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This was a great book. It was really interesting to hear the story of a Beethoven relic's journey over the past couple hundred years. Every other chapter or so was a biographical sketch of time periods of Beethoven's life which was interesting. This book gave me new insight and new information about one of my favorite composers. I would recommend it to musicians and non-musicians alike!
Jun 27, 2011
Sarah
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I thoroughly enjoyed this real mystery in a mystery. Two Beethoven enthusiasts purchase a locked with a cutting of the master’s hair. The book then gives the history of Beethoven intermixed with the stories of the DNA sampling of the hair to determine what caused Beethoven’s bad health (it was not VD) and the history of the locket from the time the hair was cut until purchased at auction. The mystery surrounding how the locket got to Denmark and into the hands of a local doctor is fascinating.
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Oct 24, 2009
John
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Fun story of the saga of a snippet of Beethoven's hair from 1827 to 2000. No documentation so that it is impossible to check any of the sources (no index either).
The format is short chronological pieces of the history of Beethoven himself interlaced with the story of how the hair made it way from Vienna to Arizona. Even has Nazis!
The format is short chronological pieces of the history of Beethoven himself interlaced with the story of how the hair made it way from Vienna to Arizona. Even has Nazis!
Aug 06, 2011
Very interesting story of the provenance of a lock of Beethoven's hair and the analysis which helped to explain some of Beethoven's lifelong illnesses. The writing is not great and a bit more editorial work would have helped, but it was very interesting. I guess non-fiction prose doesn't have to be that good.
Oct 29, 2011
Sandy
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I read the kid/teen version of this book after hearing it raved about. And really, I kind of get the appeal. It's just weird enough to draw people in, and I actually imagine that the original adult version is pretty good. But I just kept wanting more as I read this one. I craved the information that I'm sure was edited out to make this book shorter and easier for the younger audience.
Also, the book jumps around an awful lot, and I was never sure why. It was actually very bothers More...
Also, the book jumps around an awful lot, and I was never sure why. It was actually very bothers More...
Sep 16, 2009
Jerry
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I like this type of book. Weaves the story of Beethoven into an account of a lock of his hair taken shortly after his death and preserved in a locket. The locket in question made it's way to Denmark during WW2, presumably carried by jews fleeing nazi persecution.
A straightforward bio of the great man follows plus speculation as to the cause of his ill health, supported by evidence from hair samples subsequently tested. Also a fascinating insight (albeit very top level and superficial More...
A straightforward bio of the great man follows plus speculation as to the cause of his ill health, supported by evidence from hair samples subsequently tested. Also a fascinating insight (albeit very top level and superficial More...
Mar 09, 2009
Christy
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really i give this book a 3 1/2 stars but i don't have that option here. i enjoyed this booked because it was interesting to learn about beethoven. i had never really studied him before and just to learn a little about his life and events between the end of his life and our present day was interesting.
i was really fascinated by the tests and results that came from studying some of beethoven's hair.
this was an enjoyable book.
i was really fascinated by the tests and results that came from studying some of beethoven's hair.
this was an enjoyable book.
Jan 06, 2011
Lauretta
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I don't usually keep track of my non-fiction reads, but this one was awesome. Beethoven is a hero of mine, and to finally discover what actaully killed him, was worth it. But, this book is also a journey. A journey of a lock of hair. Which is sort of funny when you think about it.
Apr 03, 2010
Wanrong
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Quite a specialised book - interesting probably only to fans of both classical music (Beethoven in particular) and history. I found the book quite fascinating, even though the writing wasn't all that great, and some of the technical details were a little too long drawn out.
