In the Eye of the Storm: Growing Up Jewish in Germany, 1918-43, A Memoir [Hardcover]

Herbert A. Strauss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Originally published in Germany in 1997, Herbert A. Strauss In The Eye of The Storm: Growing Up Jewish in Germany, 1918-1943, A Memoir is not merely a memoir, or biography, but rather a description of a life embedded in the history of the Jewish community. It is the story of Jewish life, both pre-Nazi Germany and during Nazi Germany. Born in 1913 to a Christian mother and a Jewish father, Strauss was raised in a conservative Jewish fashion, studying Hebrew and Jewish history. Like many other Jews, he took little notice as the anti-Semitism of Nazi culture began to seep into his daily life. He remarks of when he was a boy, how amused he was, when during a school genetics lesson, he was selected as the embodiment of a perfect Aryan. But, as Strauss grew older the story changed. Restrictions placed on Jews became more increasingly harsh and he began to feel apprehensive. Yet, while still a student at the Hochshule, a remarkable Jewish school that the Nazis permitted to function until the early months of 1942, Strauss still refused to believe that things could get much worse, and went on concerning himself with his education in the Humanities. However, by late 1942, after he was shut out of the academic world, made a street cleaner, and then forced into hiding, along with his girlfriend (now wife), Lotte, Strauss finally came to the truth of what was happening. A truth he could hardly believe. Both he and Lotte escaped from the Gestapo, with help from the Jewish underground and Frau Meier, a Catholic, who supplied forged documents so that they could enter Switzerland.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Originally published in Germany in 1997, Herbert A. Strauss' In The Eye of The Storm: Growing Up Jewish in Germany, 1918-1943, A Memoir is not merely a memoir, or biography, but rather a description of a life embedded in the history of the Jewish community. It is the story of Jewish life, both pre-Nazi Germany and during Nazi Germany.

Born in 1913 to a Christian mother and a Jewish father, Strauss was raised in a conservative Jewish fashion, studying Hebrew and Jewish history. Like many other Jews, he took little notice as the anti-Semitism of Nazi culture began to seep into his daily life. He remarks of when he was a boy, how amused he was, when during a school genetics lesson, he was selected as the embodiment of a perfect Aryan. But, as Strauss grew older the story changed. Restrictions placed on Jews became more increasingly harsh and he began to feel apprehensive. Yet, while still a student at the Hochshule, a remarkable Jewish school that the Nazis permitted to function until the early months of 1942, Strauss still refused to believe that things could get much worse, and went on concerning himself with his education in the Humanities. However, by late 1942, after he was shut out of the academic world, made a street cleaner, and then forced into hiding, along with his girlfriend (now wife), Lotte, Strauss finally came to the truth of what was happening. A truth he could hardly believe. Both he and Lotte escaped from the Gestapo, with help from the Jewish underground and Frau Meier, a Catholic, who supplied forged documents so that they could enter Switzerland.

About the Author

Herbert A. Strauss is Professor Emeritus of history at the City College of New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 262 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082321916X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823219162
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,207,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insights on childhood, politics & the struggle for survival., April 4, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Eye of the Storm: Growing Up Jewish in Germany, 1918-43, A Memoir (Hardcover)

Herbert Strauss' In The Eye Of The Storm also provides a memoirof growing up Jewish in Germany, covering 1918-43 and the author'sescape to Switzerland. The two provide fine insights on childhood, politics, and struggles for survival.