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Mémoires
Leur couple est une légende, leur biographie une épopée. Pourtant, rien ne prédestinait cette fille d’un soldat de la Wehrmacht et ce fils d’un Juif roumain mort à Auschwitz à devenir le couple mythique de « chasseurs de nazis » que l’on connaît. Leur histoire commence par un coup de foudre sur un quai du métro parisien entre une jeune fille au pair allemande et un étudiant de Sciences Po. Très vite, avec le soutien de Serge, Beate livre en Allemagne un combat acharné pour empêcher d’anciens nazis d’accéder à des postes à haute responsabilité. Sa méthode : le coup d’éclat permanent. Elle traite ainsi de nazi le chancelier Kurt Georg Kiesinger en plein parlement, puis le gifle en public lors d’un meeting à Berlin, geste qui lui vaut de devenir le symbole de la jeune génération allemande. Leur combat les conduit aux quatre coins du monde. En France, ils traînent Klaus Barbie devant les tribunaux et ont un rôle central dans les procès Bousquet, Touvier, Leguay et Papon. Ni les menaces ni les arrestations – notamment lors de leur tentative d’enlèvement de Kurt Lischka, ancien responsable de la Gestapo – ne parviennent à faire ployer un engagement sans cesse renouvelé jusqu’à aujourd’hui.Dans cette autobiographie croisée, Beate et Serge Klarsfeld reviennent sur quarante-cinq années de militantisme, poursuivant par ce geste leur combat pour la mémoire des victimes de la Shoah.
688 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 20, 2020
I have always very much admired Serge and Beate Klarsfeld (with me also totally cheering how Beate Klarsfeld boxed CDU politician Kurt Georg Kiesinger’s ears in 1968 and openly, publicly called him a Nazi, for he most certainly did voluntarily join the NSDAP and obviously was also an active member) and consider what they have as a husband and wife team accomplished tracking down Nazi war criminals totally heroic, not to mention of course also something that was and remains an absolute necessity, as well as an obligation. And in my humble opinion, the tireless efforts of the Klarsfelds researching the horrors of the Holocaust, tracking down and outing many of the monsters responsible even when both Germany and actually also often the world just wanted to forget WWII and Nazism and move on so to speak is not only of course the reason many despicable individuals such as for example Klaus Barbie were in fact apprehended and forced to pay for their crimes against humanity, but that Beate and Serge Klarsfeld also did (in my opinion) lastingly wake up both the German government and the German judiciary and to make them more increasingly aware of their own responsibilities with regard to finding and prosecuting Nazi war criminals (and no matter what their ages or if they tried to come up with the lame excuse that they were just following orders).
However, and indeed as much as I do greatly admire Beate and Serge Klarsfeld, I have also found their memoirs, I have found Erinnerungen often a rather tedious slog, with their important political philosophies, with their reasons why tracking down Nazi war criminals was so necessary and essential often rather getting a bit lost in the minute details of their lives (both together and separate), certainly interesting enough to a point, but in my opinion, it would definitely make Erinnerungen a much more solid and political interest retaining perusal if Serge and Beate Klarsfeld’s musings and remembrances were a trifle streamlined to focus more on their politics and on how they went about finding and outing Nazi war criminals. For yes, over six hundred pages of personal memories do tend to get a bit monotonous and I also sometimes have to wonder if the Klarsfelds were actually even all that happy exposing their innermost thoughts to the public, since I have read elsewhere that at first, they actually did not even want to publish ALL of their private diaries and memories but that their publisher kind of kept pushing for this (and if this is in fact true, it is yet another reason why Serge and Beate Klarsfeld should have been presenting a selected body of remembrances in Erinnerungen and to an for me limiting themselves to their political and social activism, to their work and efforts as Nazi hunters).
However, and indeed as much as I do greatly admire Beate and Serge Klarsfeld, I have also found their memoirs, I have found Erinnerungen often a rather tedious slog, with their important political philosophies, with their reasons why tracking down Nazi war criminals was so necessary and essential often rather getting a bit lost in the minute details of their lives (both together and separate), certainly interesting enough to a point, but in my opinion, it would definitely make Erinnerungen a much more solid and political interest retaining perusal if Serge and Beate Klarsfeld’s musings and remembrances were a trifle streamlined to focus more on their politics and on how they went about finding and outing Nazi war criminals. For yes, over six hundred pages of personal memories do tend to get a bit monotonous and I also sometimes have to wonder if the Klarsfelds were actually even all that happy exposing their innermost thoughts to the public, since I have read elsewhere that at first, they actually did not even want to publish ALL of their private diaries and memories but that their publisher kind of kept pushing for this (and if this is in fact true, it is yet another reason why Serge and Beate Klarsfeld should have been presenting a selected body of remembrances in Erinnerungen and to an for me limiting themselves to their political and social activism, to their work and efforts as Nazi hunters).
May 13, 2018
If you live outside of Europe, you might not have heard of the Klarsfelds - Serge and Beate (or Beate and Serge), a wife and husband who are responsible for bringing several Nazi war crimnals to trial. Serge is a French man whose family is Jewish and whose father died in the Holocaust. Beate is a German whose father fought for Germany in WW II. The memoir's early section deals with the early lives of both and thier eventual meeting courting. The bulk of the book is about the journey to activisim and pursuit of justice. Told by alternating voices in different sections, the primary focus is on thier work, though thier love for their family shines. Well worth the read, and the couple should win the Nobel Peace Prize.
October 10, 2017
These two people deserve our admiration and respect. They've dedicated their adult lives to the quest for finding out the truth about the atrocities that happened to the Jewish population in France during the time of the Nazi regime /Vichy government.
The book offers insight into their motivation, but mainly into their actions and activities over the last decades. We don't find out so much about their feelings or inner musings, it is not this kind of memoir, but more about their thoughts on the topic, their plans and actions. We read excerpts from historical documents which are quoted and follow their ways through the European justice system. Protesting against injustice and antisemitism anywhere in the world is another main Focus of their work and lives.
The book is told from the alternating point of view of Beate and Serge, which makes the account even more interesting. Sometimes, though, it also makes the book a Little slow and some aspects are repeated and redundant.
Nonetheless, it is gripping to follow their actions, their travels, their setbacks and successes and to find out so much about the history of the stituation in France and Germany and other places in the world after the Second World War and how they dealt with the Nazi criminals who lived there. Many of them led a 'normal' or even privileged life as lawyer, judge, doctor, manager etc. until the Klarsfelds made their political background public and brought them to justice, sometimes it took them decades to finally get the criminals in front of a court of justice.
It also tells the story of their quest for finding out the truth, for giving the victims back their names, lives, faces. their humanity. And for preserving their memory.
This is a book not only for historians, but for anybody interested in the 20th century in Europe and in two extraordinary lives. It is interesting and it stays with you for a long time after having finished reading it.
The book offers insight into their motivation, but mainly into their actions and activities over the last decades. We don't find out so much about their feelings or inner musings, it is not this kind of memoir, but more about their thoughts on the topic, their plans and actions. We read excerpts from historical documents which are quoted and follow their ways through the European justice system. Protesting against injustice and antisemitism anywhere in the world is another main Focus of their work and lives.
The book is told from the alternating point of view of Beate and Serge, which makes the account even more interesting. Sometimes, though, it also makes the book a Little slow and some aspects are repeated and redundant.
Nonetheless, it is gripping to follow their actions, their travels, their setbacks and successes and to find out so much about the history of the stituation in France and Germany and other places in the world after the Second World War and how they dealt with the Nazi criminals who lived there. Many of them led a 'normal' or even privileged life as lawyer, judge, doctor, manager etc. until the Klarsfelds made their political background public and brought them to justice, sometimes it took them decades to finally get the criminals in front of a court of justice.
It also tells the story of their quest for finding out the truth, for giving the victims back their names, lives, faces. their humanity. And for preserving their memory.
This is a book not only for historians, but for anybody interested in the 20th century in Europe and in two extraordinary lives. It is interesting and it stays with you for a long time after having finished reading it.
Read
August 28, 2018Hunting the Truth: Memoirs of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld is the inspirational, well-documented story of the famous French activists. Their history is fascinating and moving. Nothing could stop these two from hunting the truth about Nazi war criminals. Nothing could discourage them from seeking justice for victims and survivors of unthinkable war crimes. Nothing could deter them from meticulously documenting lives lost--giving faces and voices to the victims of the Holocaust through personal letters, photographs, and drawings. They persevered through dense denial, consistent cover-ups, personal attacks, and deep prejudice.
This is a portrait of courage and conviction. It’s a call to do more than we think we can. It's a call to do what we know is right.
-Kathy G.
This is a portrait of courage and conviction. It’s a call to do more than we think we can. It's a call to do what we know is right.
-Kathy G.
February 13, 2023
Un des meilleurs livres que j'ai jamais lus. Un témoignage crucial sur la Shoah et le sort des nazis après la guerre. On devrait faire lire cela à tous les néo-nazis.
September 23, 2022
Valientes, sacrificados, nobles. Los admiro y ya quisiera ser así.
February 4, 2020
This is fascinating history - and it is RECENT history, which is pretty terrifying. The book recounts the courageous work Serge and Beate Klarsfeld devoted to flushing out unpunished mastermind Nazis. These were not petty criminals, but architects and leaders of the Nazi program to overpower France nad to destroy its Jewish population. The Klarsfelds did not always get the cooperation they needed; even decades after the end of the war, they were threatened by highly placed sources. The book is told from their alternating points of view. Fascinating reading!
November 11, 2018
Heroine and hero.
Beate Klarsfeld is a heroine and always will be. Her courage and determination are inspiring. She reminds me of a Polish woman equally as courageous, Irena Sendler. They share some of the same ideals, the same sense of right and wrong. Irena Sendler is Righteous Among the Nations. Beate did not save Jews during the Holocaust but she made certain their murderers paid for what they did. Her husband was pretty good too.
Beate Klarsfeld is a heroine and always will be. Her courage and determination are inspiring. She reminds me of a Polish woman equally as courageous, Irena Sendler. They share some of the same ideals, the same sense of right and wrong. Irena Sendler is Righteous Among the Nations. Beate did not save Jews during the Holocaust but she made certain their murderers paid for what they did. Her husband was pretty good too.
September 13, 2018
The true story of a French man from a Jewish family (whose father died in the holocaust) and a German woman (whose father fought for German in WWII) who hunted down Nazi war criminals. I found it a fascinating and engaging read.
Read
June 15, 2016Beate et Serge Klarsfeld sont connus en France pour leur détermination et leur courage à dénoncer et poursuivre les méfaits des nazis
May 13, 2018
This book is incredible. I was deeply engrossed in the book and highly recommend. What a great read. 5 stars*****
May 14, 2018
Great read.Exciting and instructive: http://artsfuse.org/170472/book-revie...
June 28, 2019
I am in awe of this amazing couple. Well worth the read.
June 1, 2022
There are few people who have led lives as admirable of those of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld. Starting with nothing more than will and determination, they have managed to bring many Nazi war criminals to justice. After World War II, the world wanted to move on from Naziism. Those responsible for the deaths of millions wanted to just blend back into society and take up careers in government and industry. Beate and Serge acted as the conscience of Europe and the world, demanding accountability. They traveled the world to bring the murderers to justice, employing various strategies that ranged from goading to attention-getting demonstrations (such as the famous slap of Kurt Kiesinger's face by Beate) to abduction. They spent time in jail and risked their lives in the pursuit of justice.
Just as importantly, they made it possible for the victims of Nazi violence to be seen as individuals. They spent decades collecting biographical information on the victims of the Holocaust and made it available to the world. Their dedication and persistence are awe-inspiring.
That being said, their joint memoir is a rather uneven work. It is told in alternating sections, so you get the viewpoints of both. Some sections, particularly in the early part of the book, make for great reading, as their activities are told in great detail. The later sections were less interesting, with many short chapters reciting efforts directed at individual former Nazis, without a lot of detail. The descriptions of legal proceedings, some civil, some criminal, some seemingly a hybrid, are confusing. I would have liked to read more about their lives in later years and more about their remarkable son Arno. At several points it occurred to me that the inspiring story of their lives might have been better told by a third party.
Still, their story is an important one and the world must find more people like Beate and Serge. As this is being written, war crimes are being committed in Ukraine by the Russians and similar immoral acts are occurring in other parts of the world. We will need more people like the Klarsfelds to bring the criminals to justice.
Just as importantly, they made it possible for the victims of Nazi violence to be seen as individuals. They spent decades collecting biographical information on the victims of the Holocaust and made it available to the world. Their dedication and persistence are awe-inspiring.
That being said, their joint memoir is a rather uneven work. It is told in alternating sections, so you get the viewpoints of both. Some sections, particularly in the early part of the book, make for great reading, as their activities are told in great detail. The later sections were less interesting, with many short chapters reciting efforts directed at individual former Nazis, without a lot of detail. The descriptions of legal proceedings, some civil, some criminal, some seemingly a hybrid, are confusing. I would have liked to read more about their lives in later years and more about their remarkable son Arno. At several points it occurred to me that the inspiring story of their lives might have been better told by a third party.
Still, their story is an important one and the world must find more people like Beate and Serge. As this is being written, war crimes are being committed in Ukraine by the Russians and similar immoral acts are occurring in other parts of the world. We will need more people like the Klarsfelds to bring the criminals to justice.
August 20, 2023
The world needs more people like the Klarsfelds
Serge and Beata Klarsfeld are truly amazing people. He is a French Jew and she is German. In the 1960s they became involved in publicizing former high ranking Nazi officials who had aided in the deportation and murder of French Jews, but who had escaped justice and were living free lives in Germany and around the world. Beata especially managed to assure that the West German Chancellor was denied electoral victory in the 1960s and lost his position. They both were instrumental in bringing the villainous Klaus Barbie to justice, and many others officials responsible for killing tens of thousands of Jews. Beata never shied away from putting herself in harms way in the search for justice to bring these criminal former leaders to trial. Serge has written numerous books about the French deportations and has researched the topic more than anyone I suspect.
It is clear that the Klarsfelds are highly idealistic people. They weren’t about making money but were focused on assuring that we will never again face a world with such hatred and enmity towards Jews. But they know that such hatred raise it’s ugly head at any time, and they have dedicated their lives to fighting that. They didn’t just limit their powerful energy to issues about former Nazis, but they have sought to publicize injustice by various acts of civil disobedience and protest around the world in places like Poland, Bolivia, Egypt, and elsewhere in Africa.
While perhaps not the most coherently written book at times, it still makes the reader realize how the world is a much better place because of the Klarsfelds. I believe we need more people like them who profoundly safeguard the greater common good.
Serge and Beata Klarsfeld are truly amazing people. He is a French Jew and she is German. In the 1960s they became involved in publicizing former high ranking Nazi officials who had aided in the deportation and murder of French Jews, but who had escaped justice and were living free lives in Germany and around the world. Beata especially managed to assure that the West German Chancellor was denied electoral victory in the 1960s and lost his position. They both were instrumental in bringing the villainous Klaus Barbie to justice, and many others officials responsible for killing tens of thousands of Jews. Beata never shied away from putting herself in harms way in the search for justice to bring these criminal former leaders to trial. Serge has written numerous books about the French deportations and has researched the topic more than anyone I suspect.
It is clear that the Klarsfelds are highly idealistic people. They weren’t about making money but were focused on assuring that we will never again face a world with such hatred and enmity towards Jews. But they know that such hatred raise it’s ugly head at any time, and they have dedicated their lives to fighting that. They didn’t just limit their powerful energy to issues about former Nazis, but they have sought to publicize injustice by various acts of civil disobedience and protest around the world in places like Poland, Bolivia, Egypt, and elsewhere in Africa.
While perhaps not the most coherently written book at times, it still makes the reader realize how the world is a much better place because of the Klarsfelds. I believe we need more people like them who profoundly safeguard the greater common good.
May 15, 2021
The subject matter of this book was fascinating. Very interesting events and I appreciated learning about the life of the two investigators. The book was pretty long and dry in parts. The writing style was not my favorite, but I did enjoy the book overall…
March 13, 2021
3.5 stars
January 18, 2020
In meinem Aufwachsen spukten in Bezug auf Beate Klarsfeld nur die Kiesinger Ohrfeige und die Nominierung zur deutschen Bundespräsidentin, die meine kleinstädtische Familie eher abweisend kommentierte, herum. Mit dem Studium kam eine vage Ahnung ihres politischen Engagement für die Verhaftung von Naziverbrechern in Südamerika und Anerkennung für die Leistungen von Serge Klarsfeld als Historiker hinzu.
Dieser Erinnerungen eröffnen ein viel weiteres Bild, das mich nur mit allerhöchster Achtung und Respekt für das Lebenswerk dieses Ehepaares zurücklässt. Die Vehemenz, mit der Beate Klarsfeld und auch Serge für ihre Ideale gekämpft haben gegen eine Gesellschaft, die sie nicht hören wollte ist mehr als bemerkenswert. Der Beitrag für die vielbeschworene "Erinnerungskultur" wie wir sie heute kennen mehr als meist ausgesprochen. Zuerst hatte ich auch angenommen, gar nicht so viel zu teilen von der politischen Haltung der Klarsfeld, wurde Mdm. doch gerade auch im Zusammenhang der Bundespräsidentenwahl weiterhin als Linksradikale dargestellt- ein Anzeichen für das Nachleben des reaktionären westdeutschen Nachkriegsdiskurses. Doch das bedingungslose Engagement der Klarsfelds nicht nur für leere Anerkennung, für stumme Denkmäler und für abnickendes Gedenken, sondern für Gerechtigkeit im eigentlichen Sinn- ein "für die Opfer" Eintreten, dass immer auch ein "gegen die Täter" vorgehen ist, bleibt gerade zu beispiellos. Dabei bewahrten sie sich den Blick auch gegen antisemitische Regime in Osteuropa und viel beeindruckender noch- im Nahen Osten vorzugehen. Die Klarsfeld haben verstanden und weitergetragen, das ein "nie wieder" heißt sich überall einzusetzen, dass Juden nicht mehr als Juden verfolgt werden, das der Antisemitismus sich heute in ein antizionistisches Gewand hüllt und das die Unterstützung Israels bedingungslos und die erste Prämisse allen wirklich antifaschistischen Handels ist. Beate und Serge Klarsfeld sind die größten Freunde Israels und der Juden die je in Nachkriegsdeutschland gewirkt haben. Wie aberwitzig ihr Engagement ist macht das Buch lesenswert. Einsätze in den Diktaturen Südamerikas, Aktionen vor Gerichten in ganz Europa, waghalsige Versuche die Regime in Syrien oder dem Libanon zur Auslieferung von untergetauchten Nazischlächtern zu bewegen. Auch die Einblicke in das Familienleben, gerade mit Beates Reflektiere über die Rolle als Mutter, sind relevant. Insgesamt geben die auf deutsch mehr als 600 Seiten starken Memoiren nicht nur einen detaillierten Einblick in die Verbrechen der verfolgten Nazis, sondern stellen eine Gesamtschau des Wandels politische und soziokultureller Kultur nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg dar. Ich persönlich wäre noch stärker ins diskursive Gericht gegangen mit Deutschland, befremdlich ist, wenn Beate sich als "immer schon wiedervereinigte Deutsche" bezeichnet, manchmal hätte man sich gewünscht, dass Haltungen tiefer erklärt würden, statt der extremen und leider streckenweise sich etwas verlierenden minutiösen Beschreibung der Entwicklungen selbst. Auf das Lektorat lässt seltsamerweise etwas zu wünschen übrig, sind doch einige Stellen wiederholend, teilweise sogar innerhalb einzelner Seiten. Trotzdem bleibt es eine Empfehlung.
Dieser Erinnerungen eröffnen ein viel weiteres Bild, das mich nur mit allerhöchster Achtung und Respekt für das Lebenswerk dieses Ehepaares zurücklässt. Die Vehemenz, mit der Beate Klarsfeld und auch Serge für ihre Ideale gekämpft haben gegen eine Gesellschaft, die sie nicht hören wollte ist mehr als bemerkenswert. Der Beitrag für die vielbeschworene "Erinnerungskultur" wie wir sie heute kennen mehr als meist ausgesprochen. Zuerst hatte ich auch angenommen, gar nicht so viel zu teilen von der politischen Haltung der Klarsfeld, wurde Mdm. doch gerade auch im Zusammenhang der Bundespräsidentenwahl weiterhin als Linksradikale dargestellt- ein Anzeichen für das Nachleben des reaktionären westdeutschen Nachkriegsdiskurses. Doch das bedingungslose Engagement der Klarsfelds nicht nur für leere Anerkennung, für stumme Denkmäler und für abnickendes Gedenken, sondern für Gerechtigkeit im eigentlichen Sinn- ein "für die Opfer" Eintreten, dass immer auch ein "gegen die Täter" vorgehen ist, bleibt gerade zu beispiellos. Dabei bewahrten sie sich den Blick auch gegen antisemitische Regime in Osteuropa und viel beeindruckender noch- im Nahen Osten vorzugehen. Die Klarsfeld haben verstanden und weitergetragen, das ein "nie wieder" heißt sich überall einzusetzen, dass Juden nicht mehr als Juden verfolgt werden, das der Antisemitismus sich heute in ein antizionistisches Gewand hüllt und das die Unterstützung Israels bedingungslos und die erste Prämisse allen wirklich antifaschistischen Handels ist. Beate und Serge Klarsfeld sind die größten Freunde Israels und der Juden die je in Nachkriegsdeutschland gewirkt haben. Wie aberwitzig ihr Engagement ist macht das Buch lesenswert. Einsätze in den Diktaturen Südamerikas, Aktionen vor Gerichten in ganz Europa, waghalsige Versuche die Regime in Syrien oder dem Libanon zur Auslieferung von untergetauchten Nazischlächtern zu bewegen. Auch die Einblicke in das Familienleben, gerade mit Beates Reflektiere über die Rolle als Mutter, sind relevant. Insgesamt geben die auf deutsch mehr als 600 Seiten starken Memoiren nicht nur einen detaillierten Einblick in die Verbrechen der verfolgten Nazis, sondern stellen eine Gesamtschau des Wandels politische und soziokultureller Kultur nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg dar. Ich persönlich wäre noch stärker ins diskursive Gericht gegangen mit Deutschland, befremdlich ist, wenn Beate sich als "immer schon wiedervereinigte Deutsche" bezeichnet, manchmal hätte man sich gewünscht, dass Haltungen tiefer erklärt würden, statt der extremen und leider streckenweise sich etwas verlierenden minutiösen Beschreibung der Entwicklungen selbst. Auf das Lektorat lässt seltsamerweise etwas zu wünschen übrig, sind doch einige Stellen wiederholend, teilweise sogar innerhalb einzelner Seiten. Trotzdem bleibt es eine Empfehlung.
February 4, 2020
Beate and Serge Klarsfeld have truly opened my eyes to atrocities that I didn't know existed during World War Two and brought justice to so many. Although the victims cannot have their lives back, the lives mercilessly taken by the Nazis, this couple and their children along with countless others who helped the cause for justice demonstrated what no one can deny. I have studied this horrific war, reading many books, and watching many movies so that I too, can know what really happened to innocent people, persecuted for who they were. Having committed no crimes, they were sent by train to death, or what seems like a fate worse than death, the attempt to survive the camps at the hands of the Nazis. This book shock me to my core, but I believe that is the objective and it was achieved. The detailed accounts of those that suffered moved me so profoundly, but I am so grateful that the Klarsfeld couple took this seemingly impossible task of bringing many Nazi criminals to justice. The fact that they were willing to risk their lives countless times was remarkable and admirable. What they accomplished was miraculous and demonstrates perseverance to me. I am so grateful I found out about this book and read it. It taught me of so much of pain, but also when something is wrong you must speak out. You do something about it or you let evil win. I will take that lesson on with me in my life. I will probably not do anything as remarkable as these two in my life, but when I see someone being treated unfairly or an injustice occurring I have spoken up previously. Having read this novel, I recognize the significance of loud voices screaming the truth. Because the alternative is silence. The silence will choke us. The silence will lead to history repeating itself. The future is now. We must know what happened in the past, honor the dead, continue to tell the stories so that this is never forgotten, and do everything in our power to make sure that something like this never happens again. This book is a brilliant achievement in literature and if I could give it ten stars I happily would. Thank you to all who fight to keep memory alive. Let's push forward through the darkness and bring forth a better, more understanding tomorrow.
December 20, 2018
The Klarsfelds have devoted their lives to the great endeavor of finding and bringing to justice many of those responsible - including some highly-placed individuals within the French government - for the deportation and killing of their own countrymen. Jewish people, many of whom had fled persecution in other parts of Europe, thought they had found a safe haven in France, which offered “
liberte, egalite, fraternite.” Other Jews, whose families had been French for many generations, thought they were indeed safe. But no. Not only did the French government cooperate with the Nazis, but after the war ended, it wanted simply to move on, forgetting the 76,000 Jews murdered by the Germans and their collaborators. That they have not been forgotten is due in large part to the work of the Klarsfelds. If you go to Paris, you will see plaques honoring the memory of the deported, including 11,000 children and babies - but these plaques were not placed until the late 1990s, 50 years after the end of WWII. The Klarsfelds would not allow the French government to continue its “collective amnesia.” This volume outlines their relentless, and often dangerous, pursuit of the guilty over several decades. Reading this gives us a better understanding of the goals, accomplished at great personal cost.
liberte, egalite, fraternite.” Other Jews, whose families had been French for many generations, thought they were indeed safe. But no. Not only did the French government cooperate with the Nazis, but after the war ended, it wanted simply to move on, forgetting the 76,000 Jews murdered by the Germans and their collaborators. That they have not been forgotten is due in large part to the work of the Klarsfelds. If you go to Paris, you will see plaques honoring the memory of the deported, including 11,000 children and babies - but these plaques were not placed until the late 1990s, 50 years after the end of WWII. The Klarsfelds would not allow the French government to continue its “collective amnesia.” This volume outlines their relentless, and often dangerous, pursuit of the guilty over several decades. Reading this gives us a better understanding of the goals, accomplished at great personal cost.
August 3, 2018
This book should be riveting, but it just isn't. The history that they actually made and not merely lived through should be compelling, but the writing managed to leach all of the excitement out of the story. For a better take on many of the same events, get The Nazi Hunters
August 15, 2023
A really intense and detailed memory book recalling all the fights during many decades. Very recommandable if you want to be inspired by the determination of this wise couple with their life long battles for more justice towards victims of the Shoah and for punishment of nazi perpetrators.
January 5, 2020
This book was fascinating— written in melodramatic flavors but who can blame them.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews