Between Two Homelands: Letters across the Borders of Nazi Germany

by Hedda Kalshoven (Editor), Peter Fritzsche (Preface), Hester Velmans (Translator)

In 1920, at the age of thirteen, Irmgard Gebensleben first traveled from Germany to The Netherlands on a "war-children transport." She would later marry a Dutch man and live and raise her family there while keeping close to her German family and friends through the frequent exchange of letters. Yet during this period geography was not all that separated them. Increasing divergence in political opinions and eventual war between their countries meant letters contained not only family news but personal perspectives on the individual, local, and national choices that would result in the most destructive war in history.  This important collection, first assembled by Irmgard Gebensleben's daughter Hedda Kalshoven, gives voice to ordinary Germans in the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich and in the occupied Netherlands. The correspondence between Irmgard, her friends, and four generations of her family delve into their most intimate and candid thoughts and feelings about the rise of National Socialism. The responses to the German invasion and occupation of the Netherlands expose the deeply divided loyalties of the family and reveal their attempts to bridge them. Of particular value to historians, the letters evoke the writers' beliefs and their understanding of the events happening around them. This first English translation of Ik denk zoveel aan   Een briefwisseling tussen Nederland en Duitsland 1920-1949 , has been edited, abridged, and annotated by Peter Fritzsche with the assent and collaboration of Hedda Kalshoven. After the book's original publication the diary of Irmgard's brother and loyal Wehrmacht soldier, Eberhard, was discovered and edited by Hedda Kalshoven. Fritzsche has drawn on this important additional source in his preface.
 

Genres: History

312 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely loved this book. I am not what I would call a WWII buff, but I do enjoy reading books about WWII. This book was very different for me. It was a collection of letters and diary entries of a family from Germany and the daughter who married a Dutch man and lived in Holland during the rise of the Nazis and WWII. It was interesting and scary to see how the family in Germany became brainwashed almost and were huge supporters of the Nazi party, while the daughter who lived in Holland could see the bigger picture of what was happening in Germany.

The letters and diaries were discovered by a direct descendant of the daughter in Holland. I give her a LOT of credit for being brave enough to show the side of her family that were unapologetic Nazis, as "Nazi" is usually considered to be synonymous with "evil".

*SPOILER* Though to be fair, the mother and father died before the true horror of the Nazis came to light and the brother did seem to have changed his loyalties towards the end before he died in battle in a Nazi uniform.

This was an ordinary family from Germany. They were educated, middle-class and completely into the idea of Hitler as the savior of Germany. I always wondered what could make regular people into goose-stepping Nazis and this book opened my eyes.

Germany was hurting economically from all of the punitive damages they had to pay after WWI. They were told over and over again about how Germany and it's people were so horrible because of WWI. They had no pride, their spirit was broken. Hitler and the Nazi party came along and gave them hope, gave them pride in being German again. They were the savior from the Communist party, which was portrayed by the mother especially as the ultimate evil. Germany was divided politically, economically strapped and hopeless. Hitler promised to unify the Fatherland and gave them all hope again.

I now understand why the German people were so blind in their adoration of Hitler, or at least the great majority of them. It's still scary and sad, but it makes more sense to me now.

This is a must read book if you are into WWII. I'm not a WWII buff, I said that before, so maybe there are better books out there that show the German perspective than this one, but I doubt it. The letters and diary entries are so true and down to earth. They could have been written by me had I been in the same situation as them. It's not a historian's perspective, it's the point of view of people who were actually LIVING the history, and dying in it too. The mother wrote to her daughter that they were making world history. She was right, but not quite in the way that she meant.

This is a keeper and one I will be recommending to every history reader who enters our store.

Fantastic book. My thanks to NetGalley and University of Illinois Press for a copy of the eARC to read and review.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a real must read for those interested in the period of the second world war between 1920 and 1949. It is written in a series of letters assembled by Hedda Kalshoven, daughter of Irmgard Gebensleben. Irmgard was thirteen years old in 1920, when she was sent to a foster family in The Netherlands as part of a 'war children project'. This turned into the most important relationship in her life, as her foster family stayed in touch throughout her teenage years, even sending her an allowance when German money became overinflated and worthless.
As a young adult, Irmgard married their son, August, and moved to The Netherlands permanently. She remained close to her real family in Germany through a series of letters. These letters are informative, sad and fascinating, and give us a real insight into what life was like on a day to day basis at this time.
I found it difficult to put down at times. It is a great read also for those who have to leave a book for a while, as it is easy to read from chapter to chapter without getting lost.
I loved it and would certainly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the history of the Third Reich.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Two Homelands

Letters across the Borders of Nazi Germany
by Edited by Hedda Kalshoven

University of Illinois Press

History, Biographies & Memoirs

Pub Date 29 Jun 2014

In 1920 at the age of thirteen Irmgard Gebensleben left Germany for the Netherlands for the first time on a war child transport she would eventually Marry a Dutch man while keeping in contact with her German family and friends through frequent letters.

By the time the rise of the Nazi's took place, Irmgard was living in Holland. At first like many others it seems Irmgard believes that positive changes will be made but in time discovers what Hitler was truly about.

I give Between Two Homelands five out of five stars

Happy Reading.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Two Homelands is a collection of letters written during the times of WWII.
I found the letters fascinating and heartbreaking. It's really interesting to see how daily life was during this time. I believe I will be reading this again at another time. It's definitely worth a reread.
I would highly recommend this collection to those who are interested with WWII era Germany and the Netherlands.
5 Stars.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reading. The day-to-day lives of a family separated by War and miles. Well edited. At times heartbreaking and very detailed and other moments were special to share. What a family treasure to have given historians. NetGalley and University of Illinois Press provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Jenni Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is wonderful for anyone interested in World War II. It is at times both wonderful and heartbreaking. Just a great all around read.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a Netgalley e-book. For my complete review, please view my blog:

http://suzysnerdyword.wordpress.com/2...

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intimate look at life in Germany and Holland between 1920-1949.
http://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2...