Jonathan Carr – författare

For over a century the Wagners have presided over the Bayreuth Festival, playing host to many of the greatest and ghastliest figures in the arts and politics amidst family in-fighting and political controversy. Drawing on extensive interviews with members of the family and on both archive and recent material, Jonathan Carr presents a balanced but gripping portrait of the Wagners and their circle; a story which presents a mirror of Germany's rise, fall and resurrection.

An Economist Best Book of 2007, Jonathan Carr’s The Wagner Clan proves, with the sweeping scope of a Wagnerian opera, that the history of Europe and that of the infamous composer’s family are inextricably intertwined. Carr presents not only Richard Wagner himself— musician, philosopher, philanderer, failed revolutionary, and virulent anti-Semite—but also a colorful cast of historical figures who feature in Wagner’s story: Franz Liszt (whose illegitimate daughter Cosima married Wagner); Friedrich Nietzsche; Arthur Schopenhauer; Richard Strauss; Gustav Mahler; Arturo Toscanini; Joseph Goebbels; Hermann Göring; and the “Wolf ” himself, Adolf Hitler, a passionate fan of the Master’s music and an adopted uncle to Wagner’s grandchildren. Wagner’s British-born daughter-in-law, Winifred, was a close friend of Hitler’s and seemed momentarily positioned to marry him after the death of her husband. All through the war the Bayreuth Festival, begun by the Master himself, was supported by Hitler, who had to fill the audience with fighting men and SS officers. After the war’s devastation, the festival was dark for a decade until Wagner’s offspring—with characteristic ambition and cunning— revived it. The Wagner Clan is a riveting chronicle of the ascent, decline, and rehabilitation of the German nation and its most infamous family.

Reporting U.S.-European Relations: Four Nations, Four Newspapers is a compilation of U.S. and European perspectives from different daily newspapers. Chapter 1 is about the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). After a brief background of the newspaper, from one dictator to another, the paper is described as having no editor. The political, economic, and cultural policies are made by ""editor-publishers."" Political philosophy in the FAZ is very cohesive and conservative, which readers of a wide political spectrum rely upon. Chapter 2 deals with the New York Times, which is founded in 1851 and has undergone many changes, making it the most respected daily newspaper in the United States. This circulation is considered a chronologist of current events, and more than an opinion maker, it is also considered an educator. Chapter 3 is about The Times (London), founded in 1785 under a different name. This circulation is one of the most influential newspapers in the world, with a succession of notable editors. Considered by some as boring, this newspaper is bought by Rupert Murdoch, making it still in substance a uniquely British expression of life. Chapter 4 is about Le Monde, founded in December 1944 upon the request of General Charles de Gaulle. This circulation is considered the most important and prestigious daily newspaper in France, very nationalistic, and a receptacle for debate. This collection of essays will prove invaluable to practicing journalists, politicians, public and government leaders, and students of journalism. Writers and authors will also find this collection entertaining and informative.

Inspired by the full flavors emanating from their idyllic ciderhouse located in the heart of a rustic New England apple orchard, Jonathan Carr and Nicole Blum’s recipes, developed in collaboration with chef Andrea Blum, celebrate the versatility of fresh cider in all its forms.Ciderhouse Cookbook teaches home cooks how to make a full array of traditional cider products, including cider syrups, molasses, vinegars, shrubs, and switchels, as well as apple preserves. The 127 cider-enriched recipes that follow are simple yet elegant, ranging from Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Garlicky Apple Vinaigrette to Braised Lamb Stew with Apples, Switchel, and Yogurt Mint Sauce; Cider Mimosas; Apple Pommeau Cake; and Crêpes with Fried Apples and Cider Caramel Sauce. With beautiful photography that captures the ambiance of the ciderhouse, this book is a deliciously loving tribute to America’s favorite fruit.

A Times Book of the Month for readers of Golden Hill and Cloud Atlas.It is 1800, and the future of Chicago hangs in the balance, to be decided on the outcome of a game of chess. Win or lose, the result will reverberate through the next 100 years of history, and the players’ lives, the lives of their descendants, and the city itself will never be the same again …