Germany Books

For anyone out there who also worships Kaethe Kollwitz and her extraordinary work, this book is a must-read. Edited by the son that lived--Hans--"The Diary and Letters of Kaethe Kollwitz" provides an intimate portrait of the woman who lived behind the drawings in her own words. This book breathed life and personality into somebody who has been one of my greatest artistic influences. I found it exceptionally moving to be able to share her emotions, thoughts and tragedies in this way.

Kaethe Kollwitz created some of the most moving drawings and lithos I have ever seen. Many are dark and sorrowful. Even so, many have an indestructible kernel of hope in them kept alive through sheer personal will.

Now that I've read these extracts from her diaries and correspondence, I can understand better the woman who made that art. Above all, she was a woman founded on her emotions. I don't means twittering sentimentality. I mean the kind of love that kept her one marriage strong for 49 years, until she was widowed. I mean the kind of devotion that kept her at work for fifteen years on the memorial to her son, fallen in the first World War. I mean the kind of dedication that led her to teach master classes, even though she grew up when women were almost forbidden to attend advanced schooling.

Despite her losses in the two World Wars, her life had much in it to bolster her strength. Her family supported her childhood interest in art, and her father was willing to get her what training he could. She married young, and somewhat against her parents' wishes. Her husband, however, supported her art, and she remained close to her parents. She fully accepted motherhood; her sons and later her grandchildren were bulwarks of her adult life. She engendered lifelong affection in her friends and her family. Her surviving son compiled this tribute to her life, and her grand-daughter added a few pages about Kaethe's last days.

There are a few dozen samples of her drawings, sculpture, lithos and woodcut at the end of this book. (Given her tendency towards transfer lithos, the distinction between litho and drawing isn't always clear.) The reproductions aren't great, just enough to indicate the structure and feeling of each piece. The set is nicely bracketed, however, by an early self-portait and her last one. The face is the same handsome woman in both, but the later Kaethe is wizened and wisened by her years.

This is a wonderful book. I am truly glad to know more about this woman. If you want just reproductions of her art, this is likely to disappoint. If you want her herself, you've found it.

//wiredweird

A great book for the amateur genealogist. It is light enough that, unlike many books on the subject, it is readable, yet it contains a wealth of information. The book description says "some entries will provoke a chuckle, others a bit of embarrassment, still others a sense of wonder and pride." This is certainly true. As a person of German heritage who (sadly) does not speak German, I was indeed filled with a sense of wonder when I looked up my great-grandfather's name, Hundesauger.

For anyone who is researching German names and family genealogy this book is the definitive, in-depth, and scholarly work in the field of German names. A "must own" book for the serious researcher of German families and names

Die Farben Berlins was a pleasure to use while touring Berlin. A simple idea, you would think more cities would design such a guide. It led me to another very interesting book "Feeling Berlin" By Prestel Books. I used both books and a huge map of Berlin to explore one of Europe's most vibrant cities!

This book/concept works on so many levels. Having spent a lot of time in Berlin, I found this book to be a real treasure. Berlin is about design, and color, and exploring, which is what you get here. There is a photo, and 2 big color chips based on the photo. Not your typical tourist photos, but photos which make Berlin memorable. On the back of each card, is a quote about the scene, and a map showing where the photo was taken. Each card is in English and German which will help those trying to pick up some German. My only surprise was not seeing the Ampelmann, (former East Berlin walk/don't walk traffic signal), with the obvious green and red color. Just surprised, but by no means disappointed. Now.....if they would just do my favorite city of Hamburg......

Bach's 250-mile journey on foot in 1705 from Arnstadt to Lubeck to visit Buxehude is one of the great tales in the history of music. If you've listened to some of Buxtehude's music (see my "Listmania!" list of Buxtehude's vocal music) and would like to learn more about the composer, his life, and his works, this is the one and only place to go. This second edition (published 20 years after the first) commemorates the 300th anniversary of the composer's death. It's reasonably accessible and readable for someone (like myself) who loves music but is not a professional musician. Among other things, it contains a very useful list of all of Buxtehude's compositions.

Paul N. Van de Water

Buxtehude's music remains one of the great pleasures of classical music - thoughtful and rich in melody, filled to overflowing with new ideas and freshness. For several years Kerala Snyder's book has been out of print, and unscrupulous book dealers have demanded exhorbitant prices for used copies. Now reissued it is possible to once again obtain a personal copy.
Although the price is high do not let that hold you back - this is an excellent achievement, and will probably remain the only major book in English on one of the greatest German composers. Highest recommendation.

the book is almost of the same caliber Rommel was. Do not waste your time, get it now .Entertaining, exciting, it flows so fast. Buy this book now and have an wonderful time!

Charles Marshall has done an excellent job in preparing a literary work that is, in my studied opinion, a complete overview of Rommel...as a man and military genius. Marshall's detailed account of Rommel's life is reinforced by information received during interviews with Rommel's widow as well as the letters Rommel sent her during the African campaigns. Further, Marshall, as a former Army Intelligence Officer during WWII, relies heavily on his own detailed diary enteries of interviews with German/Nazi officals in captivity prior to the end of the war. Marshall's work details Rommel's life from pre WWI through his untimely death, forced by Adolf Hitler, before the end of WWII. If there is only one true account of Rommel's life, "Discovering the Rommel Murder" is it.

Ella writes what she remembers about her childhood and gives us a chance to understand what life was like for a girl dealing with World War II and the aftermath. The details of everyday life help you understand what it took to survive. She writes with honesty and gratitude for those who helped her. It is an inspiring story. God is good - all the time!

I think this was a great book. It answers alot of unasked and unanswered questions. It also talks about the effects of war. We met the author at a time share and she gave a talk about the book. She was very interesting to listen to. My Dad read this book too. He agrees with me that she didn't leave anything out. I did wonder why I couldn't get a straight answer from distant relatives where our relatives were from. When a country or state boundary line has moved other places people write on there family tree death or birth record that when the people were born they live in X which is call Y in 2006. I never thought they were not telling the truth because they were afraid the communists would find them.

If you want to read an interesting book about Russia and Germany about WWII this is the book for you. The section about life in America was vivid about living with her parents but when she was more integrated into American life and not living with her parents the information was slimmer. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to live on a cotton plantation in the South.

I know the author, and can tell you that this is a true story.
This is a must read for young people who might identify with her experiences.

This first-person account of a girl growing up in Berlin during the Third Reich provides the flesh on the bones of this part of German history. The author recounts the story through the innocent eyes of childhood, the remembered details especially poignant because a child's memories are of a world not judged, but accepted as it is. The author begins her story with her first days of school, singing hymns. Gradually school changes. The hymns become martial Nazi songs, the teachers become agents or resistors of the Nazis. Life includes complications such as avoiding Nazi service and ideas. She spends an obligatory year at farmwork. As the author grows older, the skies contain not clouds but bombers. She is almost crushed to death in the rush to enter an air-raid shelter. And at the end, as the Russians enter the Berlin suburbs, the war comes into her home in a new and personal way.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Title: Eagles Over Berlin
Author: Kati Fabian

John and Esther fall in love. It sounds like a simple story line but it is not. John, American pilot during the Second World War, and Esther, survivor of the holocaust, meet at a volatile time in history, and their love supports and carries them through difficult times beyond their control. But this is not just a love story. It is a look into a time in history that few people understand. The Second World War was officially over but the Cold War was in its infancy, during which time, the Soviet Army blockaded West Berlin, an attempt to force communism on over two million people. Esther refused John's offer to escape the difficulties of this time and insisted on making the one decision that she could make on her own. Up until that time, everything that had happened to her was out of her control. She stayed in Berlin to help the cause, while John flew for the Airlift, transporting vital supplies that would save the lives of many in West Berlin.
Author, Kati Fabian's life had been affected by the Cold War years and her interest in finding the truth about a little talked about subject led her to write Eagles Over Berlin. She has filled the pages of this well written novel with facts that few would know, but softens the pain and fear with a love story that transcends the horror. This is a story of love, devastation, optimism and grief. But in many ways, it is an education. This reviewer better understands the workings of the Cold War and highly recommends Eagles Over Berlin to all those interested in learning more about this period of history. We must again make a stand against terrorism and it is heartening to be reminded that with perseverance, teamwork and love, there will be success.

Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews

As an American participant in the postwar years of Germany, including the period of the Blockade, I was drawn strongly to the descriptions and experiences of the characters in your book.

The book brought back many memories to me of the traumatic times and places described so vividly and yet clearly therein.

I couldn't put it down from the moment I started reading until the very end. Thank you for your memorable story.

Charles A. Bearchell, Ph.D.
Executive Director - German American Cultural Society, Los Angeles
Emeritus Professor, California State University, Northridge

Egon-Erwin Kisch was the forefather of literary journalism. Brillant writing from Berlin to Mexico. The German equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize is named after him.

Egon-Erwin Kisch was the forefather of literary journalism. Brillant writing from Berlin to Mexico. The German equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize is named after him.

What was it like to be an ordinary child living in Germany in the beginnings of WWII? It's something that we, today, can not fathom.

In "Elfi's World", Edelgard Knoob transports us to the wondrous time and place of her childhood in Germany. We see through little Elfi's eyes the beauty of an era when times were still simple. Her family comes alive throughout the book as we learn their individual characters. Grandmother and Grandfather played a very important role in Elfi's upbringing and their love and warmth is genuinely felt through the writer. And Aunt Gusti quickly became a favorite of mine. Her cheerfullness and dedication to the family was endearing. I was very sorry to read of her misfortune at the arms of the Third Reich. Elfie's mischiefness keeps us smiling throughout the story but through her loving upbringing, her faith and optimism lets her shine through all obstacles. The memories that are brought to life in this revealing autobiography will immortalize Elfi and her family forever. I would recommend this book as great reading for young and old.