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In My Grandfather’s Shadow

A story of war, trauma and the legacy of silence
4.11 goodreads logo

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( 85 ratings, 15 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In My Grandfather’s Shadow by Angela Findlay explores a deeply personal journey entwined with history and military themes. Angela Findlay delves into her family's past, particularly focusing on her grandfather's role during World War II. The narrative combines personal reflection with historical inquiry, revealing how generational legacies can shape personal identity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are fascinated by uncovering family histories set against the backdrop of World War II and the complexities of intergenerational guilt and reconciliation. It delves into personal and historical narratives, offering an intimate exploration of identity, memory, and the way history shapes families.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The true story of three generations of one family which examines the guilt and trauma of being part of Germany's Nazi past, and follows the author's journey to find a reckoning with her inheritance.

Fascinating ... an extremely courageous work. The Lady

Absolutely extraordinary ... Findlay reveals a vast, hidden European story that few nations have ever been brave enough to confront. Keith Lowe

Beautifully written, poignant and acutely perceptive. Sinclair McKay

Moving and powerful. Julia Samuel

In My Grandfather's Shadow is an unflinching, thought-provoking fusion of memoir and history, and an exploration of the hidden scars left across generations by the conflict and horrors of the Second World War.

In a quest to discover the truth about her German grandfather, first a proud Wehrmacht General serving on the Eastern front, then a broken POW on trial for Nazi war crimes, Angela Findlay travels across Europe and Russia to uncover the untold story of millions of Germans long buried not only in guilt and shame but also trauma.

Carefully breaking the silence surrounding so many of World War Two's perpetrators, she challenges widespread binary narratives and offers a way forward that allows the intergenerational wounds to heal and us all to grasp the urgent lessons of the darkest episode in modern history.

Brave, profoundly insightful and moving, In My Grandfather's Shadow is a courageous look at a taboo subject and raises important questions about how and why we should remember the past.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

In My Grandfather’s Shadow by Angela Findlay is praised for its unique blend of memoir, psychology, and history, as it delves into the author’s reflections on being the granddaughter of a Nazi general. Reviewers commend the book for its bravery, insightful research, and its exploration of guilt and shame surrounding familial ties to WWII crimes. The narrative is described as poignant, thought-provoking, and a distinct perspective on historical events, resonating emotionally with readers as the author seeks to understand her lineage.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780552177726

Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 April 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin (Transworld)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 295g

Pages: 432

About the Author

Angela Findlay is an Anglo-German artist and public speaker who has spent much of her career teaching art in prisons. Her time 'behind bars' in Germany and later as Arts Co-ordinator for the London-based Koestler Arts charity informed her research into the intergenerational consequences of unresolved trauma, guilt and shame. For over a decade, she has been lecturing and writing on the topic as well as on post-war remembrance, resolution and reconciliation. In My Grandfather's Shadow is her first book.

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