The Music Maker of Auschwitz IV

By: Jaci Byrne

Narrated by: Toby Stephens, Jaci Byrne

Author's Note and Acknowledgements read by the author.

The inspirational true story of an Allied prisoner of war appointed Kapellmeister to the Nazis in Auschwitz.

When called up to fight in yet another World War, Drum Major Jackson promises his beloved wife Mabel he will return to serenade her once again. But when he’s captured, transported to Poland and imprisoned in Auschwitz IV, his dream is shattered. That’s until his Nazi captors appoint him their ‘Kapellmeister’ (maker of music).

Jackson seizes the opportunity. And he documents everything in a secret diary. Everything …

The Music Maker of Auschwitz IV, based on Jackson’s diary and written by his granddaughter, Jaci Byrne, is a thrilling testament to the resilience one man found in the darkest of times through his two greatest loves – music and the woman who waited for him.

©2021 Jaci Byrne (P)2021 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"I was gripped by this book. It is a must-read." (Kenneth G. Ross, Australian playwright of Breaker Morant)

One Mans Tale of Survival

Let's be thankful that Henry Barnes Jackson managed to hold onto his labor camp diaries so that decades later we could hear how a simple twist of musical fate helped with his survival in the camps. And thanks also to Jaci Byrne, his granddaughter, for getting the diaries organized for publication.

Toby Stephens was the perfect narrator for Heny's story. His narration style draws you into the story in a way that makes it hard to leave.

Good job Jaci, Henry, and Toby for bringing this to life.