Günter Nitsch Book order

Exploring the complexities of identity and cultural clash, a German immigrant's journey through New York City unfolds from 1964 to 1974. Gunter Nitsch, an idealistic bachelor, navigates a vibrant landscape of high-society events and grassroots activism while confronting the prejudices of the era. His experiences range from elite receptions to a Head Start classroom, revealing the stark contrasts of urban life. Through self-deprecating humor, Nitsch reflects on the challenges of being a German in America post-World War II, highlighting themes of acceptance and belonging.

A SINGULAR EDUCATION: A German Bachelor in New York (1964-1974) recounts the turbulent first decade that German-born author Gunter Nitsch spent in New York City. Fresh off the boat in April 1964 as an idealistic twenty-six-year-old confirmed bachelor with just $400 to his name and no prospects, his journey of discovery eventually takes him to elegant receptions and white tie events at fine hotels, as well as to a Head Start classroom in Harlem, to the home of an unrepentant Nazi on Staten Island, to a wild clothing optional party in Greenwich Village, to sit-ins at Hunter College, and even to a cockfight in the South Bronx. Along the way several people unexpectedly offer him help; many others insist on blaming him for World War II. With self-deprecating humor and the unique perspective of a recent German immigrant, A SINGULAR EDUCATION is set against a backdrop of the prejudices -- against African-Americans, Jews, anyone, in fact, considered "the other" -- that remained deeply ingrained in the American psyche at the time.

The narrative explores the challenges faced by millions of refugees resettled in West Germany after World War II, following the expulsion from regions like East Prussia and Silesia. It highlights the immense pressure on housing and job markets, as well as the social tensions arising from religious differences, which complicated the integration of these newcomers into a society still grappling with the war's aftermath. The author's firsthand experience sheds light on this significant yet often overlooked chapter in modern history.

In the aftermath of World War II, the author was among those relocated in what may have been the largest forced resettlement of a population in modern history - the expulsion of at least twelve million people from the former German provinces of East Prussia, Silesia, and Pomerania, as well as from German enclaves in Eastern Europe. As a result, West Germany's population swelled with the arrival of millions of refugees. With housing already scarce, jobs hard to come by, and religious differences often setting them apart, the newcomers were not always welcomed with open arms. STRETCH recounts the thirteen eventful years in the author's life following his reunion with his father in Cologne, West Germany, in 1950. With both humor and suspense, STRETCH provides a fascinating glimpse into German life during a period when the country was experiencing a transformative economic recovery, but also at times struggling to confront the shadow of its recent Nazi past.

The book explores the largely overlooked displacement of seven million civilians, including women, children, and elderly men, from East Prussia, Pomerania, and Silesia after World War II. It sheds light on this significant yet forgotten chapter of history, emphasizing the human impact of geopolitical changes and the struggles faced by those uprooted from their homes. Through personal narratives and historical context, it aims to bring awareness to the experiences of these displaced populations.