Germany Books

This charming, beautifully written book takes the reader on a double journey -- a journey through a tiny German village, where the breathtaking scenery, as well as the kind, friendly, hard working people, warm the heart, and a journey through the life of one incredible German family, as seen through the eyes of their long-time American friend -- artist, photographer and writer, Ronald Harmon. Join Harmon as he celebrates Christmas and New Years with his "adopted" family, and you will experience these holidays in a way you never have before. With each page, you will feel like a child opening his presents on Christmas
Day. In this deeply moving testimonial to love, faith and the important of family, Roald Harmon has given us a wonderful gift.

They don't write books like this anymore, that's for sure. Among the serial killer thrillers and ditzy romances, take some time out to enjoy the simple pleasures of life -- and life abroad -- as author Ron Harmon takes you right inside the cozy Bavarian cottage pictured on his book cover. There you'll find a family you'd be proud to call your own, who lives in a town we all should visit now and again. The writing is familiar and friendly, and from page one you'll be hooked -- and reaching for the hot chocolate! It's holiday fun, but fun you'll enjoy all year round...

This is an incredible memoir. The events the author went through when he was basically still a kid had to have been terrifying. Yet he tells his story in a very straightforward, understated way that only someone of his generation could do. He doesn't really go into the emotional toll his years of hiding, running and fear had to have taken on him. He just tells his story - and it's riveting. I'm glad he had the courage to write this down. What a wonderful way to honor his mother and 3 beautiful sisters.

I came across this escape memoir in researching my own family's escape from Antwerp during the invasion of May 1940. This is a well written, meticulous and gripping account of a 5 year odyssey through France and Italy during the war, including an account of pre-war life in Germany and Belgium. In addition to the usual depressing experiences, the writer recounts the numerous, often poor, rural (Christian) families he encountered who were incredibly helpful and generous, as well as Italian priests who aided the refugees and funneled desparately needed funds during the prolonged hiding. The author adds to his vivid, detailed first hand accounts some admirable fact and date checking, as well as references, often missing from such memoirs. A wonderful and well done book, deserving of more comment and sales than it has apparently achieved.

This is a timely book for today. Maria Ziefle was a strong Christian woman, and was very concerned about the Nazi influence on her family. As they dealt with the Hitler Youth, Nazi neighbors, the draft, horrors of war, pressures from "the Party", the heartache of seeing so much wickedness, and so much more, Maria prayed that their family would remain alive and faithful to God.

Today in America we do not live with the horrors the Ziefle family faced. But as our culture becomes more Godless, our children can innocently be drawn into it, just as Kurt was attracted to the Hitler Youth. Parents must be vigilant in prayer and in teaching their children what is good and right and honoring to God. This woman's story will be an encouragement for many parents. Especially as the book was written by her son.

Everything was not ideal in the Ziefle family. Georg was not the family's spiritual leader; his wife was. Everyone may not agree with certain stands they chose to make, but ideal families exist only in fiction, and to agree with everything in a book, we must write it ourselves.

Many photographs are included throughout the book of the people and places described. The story unfolds in an easy way, although the events make for less than easy thoughts as we comfortably read about the Ziefle's struggles. The war is not the focus, but rather the experiences of a Christian German family who did not support the Nazis. Readers of all ages will enjoy this biography, but parents in particular will be blessed by the account of a woman who fought for her family.

This vivid story of life in Germany during the worst part of its history is told by one who lived through it. Memories of that awful period in human history are fading fast as those who experienced it are dying. This page in human history should not be forgotten. The book is especially timely in the light of the war in Iraq. This is not a story of battles but of the day-to-day life of a Christian family during the time when Hitler and his minions ruled Germany. The Ziefle family held fast to their Christian faith in the face of danger and ridicule. The book recounts their walk of faith day by day. They suffered both physically and emotionally, especially during the five years Reinhold, the eldest son, was a prisoner of war despised for being part of Hitler's army. It is a reminder of how to live one's faith in the midst of opposition and threats. Sharing this family's experience is helpful in thinking about what is going on and will go on in Iraq as the people there learn to live with the effects of war.
Georg and Maria Ziefle had four children, Reinhold. Kurt, Ruth, and Helmut.
Both Reinhold and Kurt served in the German army. Ruth under took many daring adventures to care for the family and its needs. Georg was not forced into the army because of his work for the Red Cross and the fact that he was disabled from World War I. Maria and she narrowly escaped being forced into service of the German war machine. Their faith was tested many times but they all survived the war and lived productive lives after the war. Helmut, who wrote the account from his memories and with the help of his siblings, spent many years as a professor at Wheaton College.

Iy is an out standing history of one of the most unknown but sucessful amphibious operations of World War I. The author did a fantastic job of making it interesting reading. Highly recommended to any person who is interested in World War I.

Where was the most successful amphibious operation of World War I? Was it in Turkey, German East Africa, or maybe Estonia?

In the first amphibious assault of the war (1914), a large British Indian Army attempted a landing at Tanga, German East Africa that ended in disaster. Winston Churchill's Gallipoli Campaign (1915) is regarded as a symbol of military incompetence and calamity resulting in 141,113 Allied casualties.
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Author Michael B. Barrett's "Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands" brings to light an amazing, completely overlooked campaign so completely atypical to the ubiquitous World War I trench war narrative we are so accustomed to.

"In October 1917, an invasion force of some twenty-five thousand soldiers of the German XXIII Reserve Corps, accompanied by a flotilla of 10 dreadnaughts, 350 other vessels, a half-dozen zeppelins, and 80 aircraft" set out for the Gulf of Riga.

Operation Albion's objective was the capture of Russian controlled Baltic Islands, near Riga, and uncomfortably close to Russia's capital, St. Petersburg. Why were the Baltic Islands an attractive target for Germany? Dr. Barrett reveals, "The Germans hoped their seizure would be the final blow to a Russian seething with revolutionary discontent, and even if the loss of the islands did not lead to immediate capitulation, capturing them would breach the Russian defenses and doom St. Petersburg."

Dr. Barrett's meticulously researched and finely written book draws on new material recently made available from Russian archives.

This well- constructed narrative lets the reader eavesdrop on meetings as the Germans carefully planned their invasion of the Baltic Islands. "What is astonishing," cites the author, "is that Operation Albion was conducted by military forces with no experience in either amphibious or joint warfare."

The author takes us inside the "kriegsspiel" where the commanders carry out their final war game rehearsal of Operation Albion. Dr. Barrett does a fine job presenting the myriad issues German planners faced.

The success of the invasion depended on careful coordination of landings, bombardments and timely seizure of key positions. Much of the German time- table hinged on Russia's slow initial reaction and, always, there was the incessant threat of mines. Naval planners agonized over how minesweepers would quickly carry out their vital work without detection.

German battleships were assigned the bombardment of fortifications and shore batteries. Quickly, assault troops were to be ferried ashore in torpedo boats and motor launches. Local artillery support for the landings was to be supplied by 88mm and 105mm guns aboard the torpedo boats.

In good weather, aircraft based from a seaplane tender would provide air cover and reconnaissance.

Among the planners, there was much apprehension about possible interference from a squadron of British submarines known to be operating from the nearby Finland coast.

The bulk of the chosen German infantry were bicycle troops. Their speed would be critical in cutting off Russian troops attempting to retreat off Osel island's west causeway and escape to the Estonian mainland.

As Dr. Barrett's book makes clear, the command structure for such a complex, unique joint services operation was difficult to resolve. Differing army and navy officers, government officials, and royalty contended for the prestigious leadership positions. When even the Kaiser's brother, Prince Henry, sought the assignment, the Head of the Navy Cabinet, embarrassed the Kaiser by stating the "Prince did not possess the necessary qualifications."

Dr. Barrett systematically details the Russian's defensive plan on each island, pointing out unit strengths, fortifications, trench lines, road- blocks, and the disposition of artillery pieces as well. The author discloses, the Russian ground commander, Rear Admiral Sveshnikov, intended to concentrate troops at the few landing zones, then conduct a delaying action by taking advantage of dense forests and bogs, and mainly defending road junctions and choke points.

The Russian naval defenses featured two pre-dreadnaughts and two cruisers along with many smaller warships. It was hoped that carefully positioned minefields would keep German battleships from coming close enough to bombard the fortifications. Long- range shore batteries protected the minefields from German minesweepers.

Historian Paul Halpern described the defensive naval plan Russia implemented as "a form of naval trench warfare, with the ships sheltering behind the minefields and coordinating their fire with the powerful coastal batteries."

The author insightfully notes, that the Russians had long expected a German attack on the Baltic Islands. Russian spies quickly detected the frenzied marshalling of forces taking place in the assembly ports. They evidently had expected the attack almost 20 days before hand. "Exhausted by the constant vigilance, however, the Russians finally lowered their guard." Dr. Barrett explains. At that point, the Germans launched their last military operation in the East during the First World War.

In Chapter Five, the author skillfully narrates the fight for Osel, Moon, and Dago Islands. Quickly moving German bicycle troops raced to take key positions before panicky Russian army units could effectively react. The two fleets engaged in cat-and-mouse naval actions in the shallow, mine-filled, surrounding waters.

To what extent did Russian submarines, minefields, and surface units seriously disrupt the German naval operations?

Did Russian officers rally their mutinous troops to throw back the German invasion?

Would the German Navy's zeppelins and powerful battleships corner and annihilate the Russian fleet?

Could trapped Russian army units -- backed up by heavy artillery and armored cars -- brush aside the lightly armed German bicycle troops blocking the strategic Osel causeway and escape to the Estonian mainland?

Ultimately the reader will find out if the Germans were able to deliver "a crushing blow" that would knock Russia out of the war.

"Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands" contained 9 excellent indispensable maps and 37 interesting photographs (including 6 of rare naval actions). This solid and authoritative book will appeal to anyone interested in World War I, naval operations and military history.


About the author

Michael B. Barrett is Professor of History at the Citadel and Brigadier General (retired), U.S. Army Reserve. Prof. Barrett graduated from The Citadel in 1968 with honors and a degree in Modern Languages (German). He was also a Distinguished Military Graduate. He did his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts and had a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany for dissertation research.

His most recent publication is a book titled "Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands", from Indiana University Press. He is currently working on a history of the Austro-German Campaign in Romania, 1916. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

I had never heard of Oskar Fischinger until I came across his "Kreise", and was surprised that such a work had been conceived in 1933. It predates and anticipates today's synchronized light shows, abstract music videos, and even Winamp visualizations.

Nevertheless, Fischinger remains a relative unknown. Thankfully William Moritz's biography provides a great deal of information on Fischinger's life and artistic influences. It is rather short, but it makes up for this with generous color illustrations throughout, which are definitely worth the price of admission. A complete descriptive filmography and a collection of "statements" from people who knew Fischinger round out the book.

It's a good book (if not the only book) for learning more about Fischinger and his work.

This book is a labor of love, and the culmination of Dr. Moritz's 30+ years of research and work with Oskar's widow, Elfriede. It includes statements written by Oskar about his films; testimonials from several generations of filmmakers inspired by Fischinger; a detailed filmography; and extensive appendices. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Fischinger, or the history of animation.

This path-breaking book written by a well know oral historian shows again the masterly skills of the italian historian Portelli. The book is an essay in oral history and a piece on how societies deal with a traumatized past. In a sense it is a book on the creation of historical consciousness that is constructed by the individual and by collective agencies. I recommend it to all interested in (social) memory, narratives of the past, and the cultural transformation of memory. Besides its academic skill the book is also well written and reads like a novel. The voices of survivors and witnesses become audible.

Selma Leydesdorff
professor of oral history and culture
University of Amsterdam
editor of Memory and Narratives

This oral history, justly awarded Italy's prestigious Premio Viareggio, is one of the finest books ever written on this subject. Whoever desires something more than a skin-deep understanding of contemporary Rome, should read Professor Portelli's landmark study of the impact of the Ardeatine Caves massacre on three generations of Romans of every social class and consequently on the very character of the Eternal City.

Horror fans... Shawn Salzman's debut novel delivers! Grab a fresh tankard of ale, stoke the fire, and settle in with "Order Of The Wolf." Oh, and don't forget to bolt the doors and windows. Fast-paced and entertaining. First-rate!

All I can say is spectacular! From the 1st page on I was hooked, I cannot even believe this is the authors 1st book! You wouldn't expect this from a new writer! I recommend this to anyone who loves a book that can take you off to another world and have you so interested that you cannot stop thinking about it until you are finished but at the same time don't want it to end. This is a thrilling page turner!

Where are the people who are out and out evil? Where are the 'Nazis' as depicted by both history and Hollywood?

Instead, we see real people. People just like us. That is what makes the book so disturbing. These aren't fanatics, instead they are ordinary people, some of who still see their involvement in the Third Reich as being periphery.

The evil is there, it's just so banal, so integrated within the lives of those involved that it's hard for the reader to acknowledge and accept.

These people could be us.

A well crafted, historically accurate, behind the scenes look at life during the the rise of Nazi Germany. I felt it adressed a view that few talk about in this day and age. A thought provoking read!

A brilliant, subtle, thought-provoking study studded with insights on every page which, thanks to the author's intimate acquaintance with the existing literature on Nazism, achieves a density and refinement worthy of the very best history books. Traverso is equally good whether citing antecedents he admires (especially Arendt), laying into those he does not (he shreds Goldhagen's already dubious reputation), or laying out his powerful but clearly still unpalatable arguments about Nazism as a crazed extension of European political trends -- colonialism, eugenics, revolutionary nationalism, industrialisation -- not an aberration contradicting them. Highly recommended.

The short commentary on this book notes, "A leading social scientist's depiction of the Holocaust as the culmination of liberal, European modernization." That's a little misleading and this very interesting analysis of the Holocaust is not as such a postmodern indictment of modernity, but an attempt to see some of the precursors of the tragedy in the deviations from true modernity such as imperialism, colonialism, instrumental rationality, etc... In all the theoretical endeavors here, amid the demands for honesty on this question, few authors dare even mention the place of Darwinism (yes, Darwinism, and not just Social Darwinism)in the picture, yet the echoes are direct once some of the real statements of Darwin and Wallace on extermination, imperialism, primitive peoples are brought out of mothballs (easier to do in France). These and many other useful insights make for a very cogent book, whether or not this is the final or best approach.

Yet again Liddel shows quality. Liddel has taken the data from his postwar interviews with german generals, and produced this little gem. - Why did the germans not push earlier and harder towards Dunkirk ? How serious were the plans of an invasion of England ? Spain ? Why the conquest of Norway ? Jugoslavia ? Greece ? The difficulties of raising a discussion on strategy with Der Führer. Mainly comments on all the major strategic desicions, and the generals view on them.

Excellent book, partly due to the rare and precious opportunity the anthor had obtained to interview those German generals/prisoners. If you are BH Liddell Hart's fan, "the other side of the hill" seems to be one of his favortie phrase. He used this very phrase as the title of this book, reflecting his fondness of the topic. I just want to point out there is a book titled "German Generals Talk", which is recently published. This book, I suspect, is indeed the famous book "The other side of the hill".