The incredible and inspirational true story of one young man's struggle to find peace during war, and the power of music to bring hope to a desperate nation.

'Ahmad has created a moving and visceral account of conflict, hope and the power of music' Hannah Beckerman, Observer
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One morning in war-torn Damascus, a starving man drags a piano into a rubbled street. Everything he once knew has been destroyed by war.

Amidst ruin and despair, he begins to play. He plays of love and hope, he plays for his family and his fellow Syrians. He plays even though he could be killed for doing so.

As word of his defiance spreads around the world, he becomes a beacon of hope and even resistance. Yet he fears for his wife and children - the more he plays, the more he and his family are endangered until, finally, he must make a terrible choice . . .

Aeham Ahmad's spellbinding and uplifting true story tells of the triumph of love and hope, the incredible bonds of family, and the healing power of music in even the very darkest of places.
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'In amongst the wreckage scenes of hope. An amazing man - Ahmad played the piano just to spread love' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2

'An extraordinary, beautiful book about a man who in the midst of utter terror wheeled his piano in to the street and played for Yarmouk. He is amazing' Nihal Arthanayake BBC 5 Live

'The music of Aeham Ahmad became a symbol of resistance' Today, BBC Radio 4

'So inspiring' ITV News

'Aeham Ahmad is a talented and brave man of peace. Please read his book and pass it on to anyone who doesn't know or understand the plight of today's refugees' Stanley Tucci

BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week

A powerful, moving account of life in Damascus, and a story of how the power of music can unite people in the face of conflict.

About the Author

Aeham Ahmad, born in Damascus in 1988, grew up in Yarmouk, a suburb of Damascus. From the age of four onwards his father encouraged his musical talent and at seven he received piano lessons at the Arab Institute in Damascus. He later studied music education in Homs and worked as a music teacher.

In 2015 he was forced to flee to Germany because of the war in Syria. Today he lives with his family in Wiesbaden and gives concerts all over Europe. In December 2015, Ahmad was awarded the International Beethoven Prize for Human Rights.

This is his first book.

Reviews
Ahmad has created a moving and visceral account of conflict, hope and the power of music * Hannah Beckerman, Observer *
An epic story * RTE Guide *
Suddenly opened a hidden door to reality * The Sunday Times *
Aeham Ahmad is a talented and brave man of peace. Please read his book and pass it on to anyone who doesn't know or understand the plight of today's refugees * Stanley Tucci *
If ever confirmation that music and love will always defeat misery and tyranny was needed, Ahmad's testimony delivers it in the humblest and most moving way



Book Information
ISBN 9780241347522
Author Aeham Ahmad
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 202g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 18mm