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A Woman In Berlin

An extraordinary wartime memoir
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( 17,413 ratings, 1,965 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
A Woman In Berlin is a poignant memoir that chronicles the harrowing experiences of a German woman during the final weeks of World War II. The anonymous author provides a raw and unflinching account of life in Berlin as the city fell to the Soviet forces. Through personal reflections, the book delves into themes of survival, resilience, and the impact of war on ordinary lives.
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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 have a keen interest in first-hand accounts of historical events, especially focusing on the resilience and experiences of individuals during trying times. It provides a compelling and candid portrayal of personal survival, cultural reflection, and the complex emotions experienced in the aftermath of World War II.

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A startling account of a German survivor of the Second World War: 'One of the most extraordinary and moving books I have ever read' Antonia Fraser

* A startling account of a German survivor of the Second World War. 'One of the most important personal accounts ever written about the effects of war and defeat' Antony Beevor 'One of the most extraordinary and moving books I have ever read' Antonia Fraser

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

Between April 20th and June 22nd of 1945, the anonymous author of A Woman in Berlin wrote about life within the falling city as it was sacked by the Russian Army. Fending off the boredom and deprivation of hiding, the author records her experiences, observations, and meditations in this stark and vivid diary.

Accounts of the bombing, the rapes, the rationing of food, and the overwhelming terror of death are rendered in the dispassionate, though determinedly optimistic prose of a woman fighting for survival amidst the horror and inhumanity of war.

This diary was first published in America in 1954 in an English translation and in Britain in 1955. A German language edition was published five years later in Geneva and was met with tremendous controversy. In 2003, over forty years later, it was republished in Germany to critical acclaimβ€”and more controversy.

This diary has been unavailable since the 1960s and is now newly translated into English. A Woman in Berlin is an astonishing and deeply affecting account.

Series: Virago Modern Classics

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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?

A Woman in Berlin is acclaimed for its candid and unflinching portrayal of life in post-war Berlin, capturing the harrowing experiences of survival with a stark, unsentimental style. Revered as a crucial personal account, the book is noted for its insightful exploration of human resilience amidst extreme suffering, described as an essential read for understanding the brutal realities women faced during wartime. The narrative is applauded for its profound honesty and considered a significant contribution to war literature, embodying a universal voice for women impacted by war.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781844087976

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Virago Press Ltd

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Antony Beevor

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Author, now dead, is thought to have been a journalist or publisher.

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