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Anne Frank: Her Life and Legacy
Anne Frank is the most well-known victim of the Holocaust. In 1945, at the age of fifteen she died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, becoming one of the six million Jews who were murdered in Europe under the Nazi regime. But through her writing her memory lives on. Her ‘Diary of a Young Girl’ remains one of the most widely read non-fiction books in the world and was described as ‘one of the greatest books of the last century’. Anne started keeping a diary shortly before she went into hiding with her family in 1942, and over the course of two years she honed her craft as a writer, documenting the details of their daily lives alongside her personal reflections, fears, and aspirations. By chance, the majority of her writings were saved after the family was arrested and in 1947, after much deliberation, her father, Otto, oversaw the publication of the first edition of her diary in the Netherlands. Within a decade, it had become an international bestseller. First adapted for both stage and screen in the 1950s, awareness and readership of Anne’s diary continued to grow and its author became a household name, gradually acquiring something of a symbolic status. 70 years on ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ still resonates just as powerfully with young and old readers alike. Jemma Saunders goes beyond Anne’s diary to fill in the gaps about her family history, her life before she went into hiding, and her final months at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. A sobering tale, Anne Frank’s story is one that will continue to inspire generations of readers for decades to come. Jemma J Saunders works at the University of Birmingham. She is also the author of ‘The History in an Hour’.
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2015
324 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 23, 2024
This is yet another book about Anne Frank’s life. I got some extra information about Anne from all the new books I read about her. This book also belongs to the same category. Jemma J.Saunders tells us all the events before Anne started writing her diary and what happened after her last entry into it.
The author tells us why Anne’s parents shifted from Germany to Amsterdam. She also mentions how Anne’s father procured her diary and got it published. I recommend this book to everyone who loved Anne Frank’s diary as it will help you know more about Anne and her family.
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February 19, 2023
This is the biography of Anne Frank. This story tells of her family leaving Germany and moving to Amsterdam when Anne was four. It highlights the two years she and her family spent in an attic, hiding from the Nazi Regime controlled by Adolph Hitler. Anne wrote her diary while living in the attic, planning to one day publish it when the war was over, and life became normal again. The story also tells us about them being discovered in the attic and sent to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where she died at age 15. Her father survived the war and later had her diary published for the world to read.
If you have never read anything about Anne Frank, read the diary. This biography was okay, but doesn't get into Anne's thoughts about eight people hiding in a cramped attic for two years, not able to make a sound during the day because people downstairs might hear them. It does tell about what happened after they were arrested and the fate of each person who was in the attic. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
If you have never read anything about Anne Frank, read the diary. This biography was okay, but doesn't get into Anne's thoughts about eight people hiding in a cramped attic for two years, not able to make a sound during the day because people downstairs might hear them. It does tell about what happened after they were arrested and the fate of each person who was in the attic. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
July 28, 2016
This isn't a bad book. If you have read the work of Prose or Muller about Anne Frank, however, this book doesn't really add anything to that. It is, however, a good starting point for someone who is interested in the history surrounding the diary. It can be read by both adults and children. In fact, if you have a child who has read the diary and wants to know more, this is a good (and affordable) place to start.
February 14, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Very informative on Anne Franks life and the story behind her diary.
Very informative on Anne Franks life and the story behind her diary.
July 24, 2021
For anyone who's read her diary and wants to continue to learn more about Anne and her family. A good insight to where their journey began before the diary was written and also what happens after her last instalment was complete.
January 4, 2019
Very easy and Informative
I have not read the actually diary yet. I plan to do that soon. Wanted to read a bit of context first and this was brilliant for that.
I have not read the actually diary yet. I plan to do that soon. Wanted to read a bit of context first and this was brilliant for that.
May 26, 2017
While i've heard of Anne Frank and was somewhat familiar with the story, this book offered me a good overview to finally sit down and get the details of the bigger picture. Saunders not only goes over the account of Anne Frank's diary, but also adds historical information on her parents and reveals the development of how the story ultimately came together and grew to make Anne Frank a household name and remembrance of the cruel realities of the Holocaust. She did a great job of helping us see Anne's true character.
March 3, 2024
This is a short audiobook, only 2 hours and 20 minutes, giving an overview of the life of Anne Frank before, during and after the writing of her famous diary. I was just looking for something quick to listen to while I did a bit of knitting, and as I am constant fascinated by Anne's story, this seemed like a good fit.
The narrative and narrator are top notch here. It's clear and yet conversational, sensitive yet matter of fact. Despite not having my full attention, it was incredibly easy to stay attuned to what was being said and to take in the information being presented. Its concise and chronological structure serve brilliantly as an introduction to those who are approaching Anne's story for the first time; it covers the people, places and history, as well as the aftermath without putting pressure on the reader to have to refer to the diary or other works to understand the context.
Likewise, it still serves very well as a little extra for those who are familiar with the subject - it remains engaging and clearly pulls from many sources outside the diary itself; there are moments I recognise from books by Miep Gies and several of Anne's friends, as well as Anne's biographies. In pulling the strings together, it gives the reader a wider view of the stories intertwined with Anne's whilst keeping her as its central focus.
It also goes into some detail about the stage play and film, the challenges to the diary's authenticity, the investigations into who betrayed the Secret Annexe and so on. It doesn't try to push an agenda, only tries to illustrate Anne's message of goodness and hope when examining these aspects.
For what is a very short book, I'm very impressed by it. I feel like the author could have written a full length biography or history and provided more in depth analysis, but for what this is it's pitch perfect.
The narrative and narrator are top notch here. It's clear and yet conversational, sensitive yet matter of fact. Despite not having my full attention, it was incredibly easy to stay attuned to what was being said and to take in the information being presented. Its concise and chronological structure serve brilliantly as an introduction to those who are approaching Anne's story for the first time; it covers the people, places and history, as well as the aftermath without putting pressure on the reader to have to refer to the diary or other works to understand the context.
Likewise, it still serves very well as a little extra for those who are familiar with the subject - it remains engaging and clearly pulls from many sources outside the diary itself; there are moments I recognise from books by Miep Gies and several of Anne's friends, as well as Anne's biographies. In pulling the strings together, it gives the reader a wider view of the stories intertwined with Anne's whilst keeping her as its central focus.
It also goes into some detail about the stage play and film, the challenges to the diary's authenticity, the investigations into who betrayed the Secret Annexe and so on. It doesn't try to push an agenda, only tries to illustrate Anne's message of goodness and hope when examining these aspects.
For what is a very short book, I'm very impressed by it. I feel like the author could have written a full length biography or history and provided more in depth analysis, but for what this is it's pitch perfect.
December 31, 2021
This is a compelling book about the life of Anne Frank. It is a book for remembering the Anne Frank Legacy. Anne wanted a diary for her 13th birthday which she got. She started recording her life in 1942. It became the most important thing in her life for her private thoughts that were recorded. The diary recorded her life and her families and other acquaintances as they spent 2 years in hiding in an attic in Amsterdam fleeing from the Nazi regime until they were caught and transported to concentration camps.
Through Anne Frank’s writing, her memory lives on with “Diary of a Young Girl”. Her writings were saved after they were arrested by a helper who hid them. In 1947, her father Otto who survived Auschwitz oversaw its publication in the Netherlands. It became a best seller and has been read by millions of readers worldwide. I read it numerous times.
The author fills in some of the gaps about her family history, her life before hiding and her final months at Bergin-Belsen. Her story will inspire readers for decades and hopefully keep her story alive. I found it sobering and inspiring especially having visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam in 2019 and in October 2021, visited the newly built Anne Frank House at the University of South Carolina which is 1 of 4 Anne Frank Houses in the world. This was a well written short book worth the read.
Through Anne Frank’s writing, her memory lives on with “Diary of a Young Girl”. Her writings were saved after they were arrested by a helper who hid them. In 1947, her father Otto who survived Auschwitz oversaw its publication in the Netherlands. It became a best seller and has been read by millions of readers worldwide. I read it numerous times.
The author fills in some of the gaps about her family history, her life before hiding and her final months at Bergin-Belsen. Her story will inspire readers for decades and hopefully keep her story alive. I found it sobering and inspiring especially having visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam in 2019 and in October 2021, visited the newly built Anne Frank House at the University of South Carolina which is 1 of 4 Anne Frank Houses in the world. This was a well written short book worth the read.
March 23, 2022
This is an extremely quick review of Anne Frank's life from living with her parents and Margot, heading to the Annex, her life there through her death in Bergen-Belsen. The author then goes into detail regarding those who helped keep her families secret, the different versions of her diary (there are three!) as well as the various organizations in Anne Frank's name in order to ensure that her legacy is never forgotten or taken advantage of.
This was an interesting Audible and a good starter for those who have not yet read The Diary of a Young Girl. This would be a good way to introduce a new reader to the story to enable them to understand what they have to look forward to when learning about Anne. The narrator does a wonderful job of showing empathy where needed but ensuring that the full story is told.
This was an interesting Audible and a good starter for those who have not yet read The Diary of a Young Girl. This would be a good way to introduce a new reader to the story to enable them to understand what they have to look forward to when learning about Anne. The narrator does a wonderful job of showing empathy where needed but ensuring that the full story is told.
January 27, 2024
Rating :- Between 3.5 to 4, rounded up.
Until today, perhaps I have read at least 6-7 types of books on Anne Frank and her life in the annex, starting from her autobiography to a graphic novel and now this biography. This is quite a good book; it provided me with insights into Anne Frank and her family's background, which I couldn't get from Anne's autobiography or any other book. Additionally, I learned about the situation of Jews and how they were persecuted under the Nazi regime. This book also revealed how Anne's diary was recovered and how it was transformed into a book, along with the associated controversies.
The only drawback is that when someone else narrates your story, the emotions seem to disappear. The best thing about Anne's autobiography was that it was filled with emotions, whereas this book seemed quite plain and filled with facts.
April 8, 2020
A beautiful overview of Anne's life and legacy. It's beautiful to see the effect that the Second World War had on Anne and her family, as well as the others living in the Secret Annex. The story also follows Anne and the others through their various journeys to the different concentration camps across Eastern Europe. It also looks at Otto Frank's journey to ensure that Anne wasn't forgotten; that her diary was published. Anne's legacy wasn't forgotten. She's now world-famous. Everyone knows who Anne is, thanks to the diary she kept and the work her father did, post-war, to ensure we wouldn't forget her.
August 22, 2025
The book looks at Anne Franks life before, and during her period of hiding and continues past her death and asks the question, who reported the family.
It tells of her subsequent journey to her death.
The book also looks at her fathers decision to publish her diaries and the legacy she has left behind.
This was an interesting look into the Anne and her families lives and what happened to them.
It was sometimes a hard listen but very essential to her story.
Little did she know her wish to be famous after her death would be granted.
A must read for anyone willing to learn of her story and the truths of the Nazi occupation in Europe.
It tells of her subsequent journey to her death.
The book also looks at her fathers decision to publish her diaries and the legacy she has left behind.
This was an interesting look into the Anne and her families lives and what happened to them.
It was sometimes a hard listen but very essential to her story.
Little did she know her wish to be famous after her death would be granted.
A must read for anyone willing to learn of her story and the truths of the Nazi occupation in Europe.
October 24, 2017
Brilliant account of a young woman during WWII occupation in Amsterdam
I found this book both moving and brilliantly relevant to how we should live and relate to others. Ann shows that we can live in harmony with others and those who are aggressive in their manner can be tolerated.
She and her family under went a terrible ordeal for 2 years until someone informed the Gestapo that Jews were living in the annex and then were moved to Belsen where she and her sister both contracted typhus and died.
I found this book both moving and brilliantly relevant to how we should live and relate to others. Ann shows that we can live in harmony with others and those who are aggressive in their manner can be tolerated.
She and her family under went a terrible ordeal for 2 years until someone informed the Gestapo that Jews were living in the annex and then were moved to Belsen where she and her sister both contracted typhus and died.
April 13, 2019
Having read the diaries of Anne Frank as some pre-reading to an upcoming trip to Amsterdam, I was keen to find out more about Anne Frank and her family and what actually happened after the diary entries stopped, when the family were sadly arrested and tragically taken to POW camps. This book provided the further reading I required to learn more about this family and their tragic tale. It gives some information regarding how her mother and father met, how they lived in Germany but were sadly forced to flee to Amsterdam to escape persecution from the Germans at this time, elaborates on some information regarding the family's time in hiding, and what subsequently happened to each of them once the family had been found and arrested, and how her father got her diaries published once the war had ended. It is not a lengthy book, so can be read in a short amount of time, but I found it interesting, well written and gave me a further insight into the tragic events of this family. I would recommend this book if interested in the life and times of Anne Frank and her family.
June 21, 2020
A very touching and eye opening read
The book is very well written, with many personal accounts of WW2 and the horrors millions of people experienced. Anne's story is one of many but it explains how her story came to be known. I have actually visited the museum of the Secret Annex in Amsterdam but I think this book gives further appreciation to the whole story, the helpers that tried to protect the families and ultimately their betraval. A worthwhile read to help you understand, lest we forget.
The book is very well written, with many personal accounts of WW2 and the horrors millions of people experienced. Anne's story is one of many but it explains how her story came to be known. I have actually visited the museum of the Secret Annex in Amsterdam but I think this book gives further appreciation to the whole story, the helpers that tried to protect the families and ultimately their betraval. A worthwhile read to help you understand, lest we forget.
August 6, 2023
I listened to this on audible and loved all the extra information on the families that stayed in the annex. My heart sunk upon hearing the fate of Peter Van Pels, I had no idea he died the same day of his liberation. Learning about the community that silently supplied more food to Miep, knowing without asking, I can never know the struggle all of these people went through.. but it’s good to know that through all of this horror there were people, good people, helping each other push forward to the next day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
Interesting view of her life and what happened to her. The Author calls her Anna not Anne which was weird and I have no idea what is correct. Although as this says her real name is Annelies Marie Frank so Anna would make more sense? I don't know. Very tragic and horribly humbling to hear about her life, her situation, her family and how close to surviving the Holocaust she came. The last part was a tear jerker.
January 19, 2021
Interesting read
A shortish read, but informative and well written. I found I had to finish this in one sitting. It once again brings home how devastating and inhumane the acts of the holocaust were. It also highlights the impact that one teenage girl has thankfully had on generations since her death. Well worth reading and reflecting.
A shortish read, but informative and well written. I found I had to finish this in one sitting. It once again brings home how devastating and inhumane the acts of the holocaust were. It also highlights the impact that one teenage girl has thankfully had on generations since her death. Well worth reading and reflecting.
April 15, 2021
I liked this book as it gave me an insite on Anna Frank's life as a newbie to her story and legacy.
This book has gave me a better understanding of her life but I felt that in parts its skimmed over details but overall this has made me more intrigued in Anna Frank's life and makes me want to find more about her.
This book has gave me a better understanding of her life but I felt that in parts its skimmed over details but overall this has made me more intrigued in Anna Frank's life and makes me want to find more about her.
June 29, 2025
As someone who has read a lot pertaining to Anne Frank, a lot of this information wasn't new to me. However, there was some new facts I wasn't aware of, and it's an accessible book for those wanting to learn about Anne Frank if they haven't read the diary (however, the diary is a must read in my eyes!)
December 13, 2017
This book gave inside insight on what happened before the family went into hiding. I knew some of the details from the Diary of a Young Girl. It is still a horrible and tragic thing that happened to all these people.
January 31, 2018
I very much liked Saunders' report on the life and legacy of Anne Frank. I think she did justice to Anne's legacy. The book had me in tears in many places. I think Anne's words will be with me for a long time. God bless her soul.
December 20, 2018
Excellent supporting analysis to the Anne Frank diary.
Provides excellent additional information surrounding the Anne Frank story. Recommend reading the version c Anne Frank diary before reading this book.
Provides excellent additional information surrounding the Anne Frank story. Recommend reading the version c Anne Frank diary before reading this book.
January 28, 2019
Interesting
Highly recommend interesting facts about Anne Franks life. Holocaust deniers should be ashamed of themselves. From 1933-1945 innocent men women and children were systematically murdered on an industrial scale. this can never happen again.
Highly recommend interesting facts about Anne Franks life. Holocaust deniers should be ashamed of themselves. From 1933-1945 innocent men women and children were systematically murdered on an industrial scale. this can never happen again.
December 19, 2021
This is a touching real story about Anne Frank and the background about her life including many information that is not covered in the diary of a young girl. My eyes welled up multiple times listening to this audio book just imagining the torture, pain that the Jews went through.
February 5, 2025
Great short recap of Anne’s life, as well as some background knowledge of those in and around the Annex— for those who know her story and want a quick refreshment read, or for those who are just beginning to hear her story.
July 17, 2025
Anne is a very well known victim of the holocaust. To me she represents all the lives taken too soon during this evil period in history. My father was one of the GIs who discovered the atrocities in one of the camps and it haunted him for the rest of his life.
August 14, 2017
Must read
It's such a touching and amazing book, that every should read.
It is just phenomenal.
I truly recommend this book.
It's such a touching and amazing book, that every should read.
It is just phenomenal.
I truly recommend this book.
November 11, 2017
Gave me answer's i needed after reading her diary
After reading Anne's diary I wanted to know what happened to her & 7 others, gave me in sight,so sad
After reading Anne's diary I wanted to know what happened to her & 7 others, gave me in sight,so sad
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews