Book Review of Ann Rachlin's and Susan Hellard's "Handel"

      This is another good book in the Famous Children series.
     Handel, like the rest of us, had so much opposition in life.  But his life story shows the hand of God.  I'll show you what I mean.
     His father wanted him to read books, not study music, and so, as a little boy, Handel wasn't allowed to have a musical instrument in the house!  But his kind Aunt Anna smuggled a clavier into the attic for him to play when his father was out.  She purchased it for him as a birthday present.
     Handel's father had a good job as a doctor and barber.  He worked for a Duke whose orchestra players Handel wanted to meet.  His father said no and left Handel at home.  While his father was out, Handel played so much on the clavier that he became a good musician without any lessons.  One day, he ran after his father's coach and eventually his father let him ride in the coach on the way to work.
     Handel, still a little boy, played the organ each morning in the chapel where the Duke lived.  The organist let Handel play for the Duke.  The Duke gave him some gold coins for lessons and the boy grew up to compose such great music as The Water Music, The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba, Music For The Royal Fireworks, and The Messiah, all of which can be listened to on Youtube.  I attended a school for girls in England for part of my schooling where we listened to Handel's music after prayers in the morning and it has stayed with me all this time and then some.