Memories of Kreisau and the German Resistance [Hardcover]

Freya von Moltke (Author), Dr. Julie M. Winter (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Memories of Kreisau and the German Resistance is the personal account of Freya von Moltke, a member of the Kreisau Circle, a German resistance group that participated in the attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20, 1944. Freya’s husband, Helmuth von Moltke, was a cofounder of the circle and was executed after the failed assassination attempt.

 

Freya recounts both personal details and sweeping historical events. She describes the resistance work carried out during the meetings of the circle as well as the last days of Kreisau, after many of the members of the resistance were executed for their roles in the failed assassination attempt. When the war ended in 1945, Freya was evacuated from Kreisau, and the von Moltke estate was given to Poland.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Memories of Kreisau and the German Resistance, a small, resonating book, Freya von Moltke bears witness to the history she lived through and survived... The book was originally published in German in 1988, where it was widely read and admired. It is to the credit of the University of Nebraska Press that is has published "Memories of Kreisau," in an eloquent translation by Julie Winter ..."--International Herald Tribune

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 87 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803246692
• ISBN-13: 978-0803246690
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,769,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kreisau Circle, September 5, 2004

By 

Eugene Tate (Saskatoon, SK Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memories of Kreisau and the German Resistance (Paperback)

Sixty years ago the Gestapo and S.S. were seeking to destroy the members of the Kreisau Circle in Germany. Helmuth James Count von Moltke, Freya's husband, was co-founder and leader of this group. Freya von Moltke was intimately involved in the creation and work of the Kreisau Circle. In this thin book she recalls those days in Nazi Germany as the group prepared for the downfall of Hitler and the rebuilding of post-war Germany. With the arrest of her husband she carried on the work of the group and the preservation of their documents.
The final chapter recalls her life in Poland and Germany as the Russians and Poles took over goverance. Here we come to know a truly creative woman who persevered in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
Questions raised by members of the Kreisau Circle are totally relevant today. Helmuth James von Moltke was hung in January 1945 for thinking the "wrong thoughts." When judged by Roland Freisler of the People's Court, he was informed that those who were not for Hitler were enemies of the State! How relevant to our world where the same theme is constantly spouted by those in power. We have much to learn from the Kreisau Circle in the preservation of Freedom and Democracy.