New Book!

The Comedian Harmonists

The Last Great Jewish Performers In Nazi Germany

By Douglas E. Friedman

A new book that tells the remarkable and poignant story of the hugely successful German singing group of the early 1930s that was forced by the Nazis to disband, at the height of its popularity, because three of its six members were either Jewish or considered Jewish under Nazi decrees. The Comedian Harmonists are one of the most prominent examples of how the National Socialists tried to erase all traces of Jewish civilization and culture from German society – as one writer called it, “the slow smothering of Jewish life.”   .

The plaque on the wall at Stubenrauchstrasse 47, Berlin where the group was founded. It reads: “In an attic of this house in the years 1927/1928 on the initiative of Harry Frommermann with Robert Biberti, Erwin Bootz, Erich Collin, Roman Cycowski and Ari Leschnikoff, the ‘Comedian Harmonists’ were founded. The world-famous vocal group was broken up in 1935 when the three Jewish members were forced to emigrate."

LINKS:

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Comedian-Harmonists-Book/160031134019136

Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education

http://www.holocaustbcc.org/

My Other Web Site

http://www.harmonysongs.com

Testimonials

“The Comedian Harmonists were well ahead of their time and a major influence on vocal group music. Douglas Friedman's book—the first in English about this extraordinary singing group—is a very welcome addition to the literature on music history.” Terry Stewart, President, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

“A superb book that brings to light a story that is of great interest.  Douglas Friedman’s book is an important contribution to our historical understanding of the diverse contributions of German Jews to German culture during the 1930s and the impact of Nazi anti-Semitism on German society and culture in general.”

Professor Alexandra Garbarini, Associate Professor of History & Chair, Program in Jewish Studies, Williams College.

“An astonishing collection of facts woven together to tell the amazing and touching story of this famous Weimar-era vocal group.” Theo Niemeyer, official Archivist for the Comedian Harmonists.

Author Bio

Douglas E. Friedman is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Villanova University School of Law. He served for many years as vice-president and legal counsel to a Fortune 100 energy company until retiring in 2002 to devote more time to his lifelong interest in music. He is the co-author of Who Sang Our Songs? a songography of 1950s rhythm-and-blues and doo-wop vocal group music, and is currently working on an encyclopedia of early American vocal groups (1850-1950). He serves on the Board of Directors of the nationally-recognized Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education in Lincroft, New Jersey.

Purchase and Shipping Information:

Purchase now for $22.95 plus shipping.  100% of the profits from the sale of this book will go to the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey (CHHanGE).