Family Matters: Sam, Jennie, and the Kids

by Burton Bernstein

Family Matters , originally in the New Yorker , is about the Bernsteins — Sam, the father; Jennie, the mother; and their three Leonard, Shirley and Burton, the book's author. In this updated edition, Burton intimately recounts the family's roots, its trials, and the stunning success of his older brother, whose worldwide celebrity changed all their lives.

Genres: Music, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Stephen]

I initially picked up this book because of my interest in Leonard Bernstein, but it ended up being about much more. The story details the lives of several generations of the Bernstein family, an immigrant Jewish family from Ukraine, “making it” in America.

Some interesting elements of the story included: the success of Sam Bernstein starting his own business as an immigrant in America, the hardship of discrimination towards Jewish families, and many quirky light-hearted personal stories.

The book also details the impact Leonard Bernstein had as one of the first successful American born conductors and composers. He went on to perform internationally which was impactful during the ending of the Cold War and the distraction of the Berlin Wall.

A charming story which exceeded my expectations and gave me a new respect for the Bernstein family as a whole.

[Jane De vries]

I love biographies and this one was especially meaningful because it was written by Leonard Bernstein's brother.

Memories of Newton, Wellesley, Brookline and Boston kept flooding back as I turned the pages.

"Lenny" was not brought up for artistic greatness but had this greatness thrust upon him. Some things are just meant to be.

[Anya Bernstein]

A special book :)