111 Places in Berlin - On the Trail of the Nazis

111 Orte

by Paul Kohl, Nadia Boegli

Although the singular brutality of the Nazi dictatorship gruesomely symbolizes human ruthlessness beyond all boundaries, one meanwhile often searches in vain for its visible traces - the "Fuhrerbunker," Gestapo headquarters, or the Sportpalast have long since ceased to exist. Presumably less sensational witnesses of history as well as the "silent heroes" are thus all the more important. This special guide through "Brown" Berlin lends a voice to many of them: where swastika flags and yellow stars were [both?] manufactured, where the SS played soccer with skulls, how much deportation to Auschwitz cost the victims, who the other parties were who had an interest in the "final solution," where the Nazis hoarded their bars of gold, where Hermann Goring s extravagant wedding was celebrated, where Hitler s half-brother ran a restaurant, or what was taught in the Reich School for Brides. This book puts particular emphasis on which courageous Berliners concealed Jews in the face of mortal danger, or even dared to rise up openly against the Gestapo and the SS - often with success! - and which Jewish organizations saved the lives of children and others. A poignant city guide to places which must never be forgotten."

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2013

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who live in Berlin, this is awareness-building fare. A lot of the places described in this book--scenes of the unconscionable before, during, and, unfortunately, in some cases, after WWII--are within an easy walk from where I live.

[Nathaniel Flakin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read six volumes of "111 places in Berlin" (666 places!), and this one "in the footsteps of the Nazi era" is excellent. Each double page contains a description, a historical photo, and a current image. The places include office buildings where fascist bureaucrats planned unimaginable crimes, apartments where resistance fighters hid Jews, and massive Nazi construction projects. In Berlin, we are constantly surrounded by traces of the worst crimes in human history. Many of these places have historical markers, but some still hide their history.

I'm taking off one point, however, because the author includes conspiracy theories about the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem having had any meaningful influence on the Holocaust. This historical revisionism, beloved by the Right in both in Germany and in Israel, serves to whitewash German crimes — the real antisemites were always the Palestinians! The author could have just have easily included leaders of the Indian, Ukrainian, or Irish independence movements who collaborated with the Nazis. Yet none of these historical examples would fit the current interests and "Staatsräson" of German imperialism, so they are left out.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, partly because of the before/after photographs and the commentary, but necessarily superficial. Some interesting omissions, such as the Anhalter bunker and museum. Worth taking on the next trip though.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this on our 50th anniversary trip to WWII sites in Europe. Had some very interesting sites...what they looked like during the war and today.

[Eva Lehmann-Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great book! taking it with when I go to Berlin to research the SS and it's atrocities