When I Was a German, 1934-1945Series
This series delves into the heart-wrenching and harrowing period of German history from 1934 to 1945. It chronicles personal stories set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Nazi era, from initial naivety to the horrors of war and persecution. The narratives explore complex human relationships, courage in the face of tyranny, and the surprising resilience of humanity during the darkest of times. It offers a powerful testament to survival, resistance, and the moral intricacies of living within a totalitarian regime.
Recommended Reading Order
- 1
- 2
The road ahead
- 224 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Following her wartime memoirs in "The Past is Myself", Christabel Bielenberg continues her story from the end of the war. Germany was devastated by war and its aftermath, while to the author Britain seemed grey and exhausted. She was soon appointed "The Observer"'s special correspondent in Germany and, reunited with her husband - technically an enemy alien - she joined the struggle for reconciliation with, and the rebuilding of, a defeated nation. A near-fatal accident to her husband, and her own illness, persuaded the young couple to turn their backs on England and Germany, and make a new start farming in Ireland. Although life was harsh at first, the beautiful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains provided a haven for the family and for the hosts of young people from all over the world who joined them each summer. Christabel became involved with the Peace Women of Northern Ireland, and learned as much as she could about her adopted country.
The Past is Myself & The Road Ahead Omnibus
- 528 pages
- 19 hours of reading
The Past is MyselfChristabel Bielenberg, a niece of Lord Northcliffe, married a German lawyer in 1934. She also tells of life in her newly adopted country, Ireland, her involvement with the Peace Women of Northern Ireland, and with characteristic modesty and gratitude, looks back on a rich, full life.
