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Witness to Nuremberg
An illuminating memoir of an eventful life chronicles the author's growing up in Germany, his escape to England in 1938, his role as chief interpreter for the American prosecution during the Nuremberg war crimes trial, his insights into Hermann Goering and other Nazi leaders, and his postwar work with NASA and key role in the development of color TV and computer technology.
236 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book but felt a little mislead. The author spends only two chapters on the Nuremeberg trials. They are fascinating but too brief. The book is really an autobiography as it spends most of its pages on the author's life. This is also very interesting and gives a snapshot of conditions for a Jewish boy during the prewar years.
August 19, 2016
3.5 stars. Fascinating simpatico memoir which happens to include one-on-ones with Goring! Sonnenfeldt also got quality time with Hess, Ribbentrop and Keitel. Sonnenfeldt has a droll take on life and on Nazis. Plus he’s just really cool and smart.
As I continue my studies leading up to what may well be twilight in the US after our presidential election in November, I’m on a tyranny kick. Now I know more about war crimes and how to interrogate and prosecute in case Trump wins and orders our military to incorporate torture into our interrogations. I always wondered what Hitler REALLY thought of his legacy. I know he sure was disappointed in that bunker. I know he condemned the German people for losing. But, I have been confused cuz he was so proud of his team and so enamored of himself. And, after all, like Stalin over in the USSR, Hitler WAS Germany in his mind and in those of his minions. Sonnenfeldt makes it easier to understand how Hitler could first have embodied the state and subsequently have blamed Germany without blaming himself. Not rational, but, hey, nothing this Hitler guy did was rational.
Sonnenfelst hits on some of my arguments: We lose out when we mirror (our enemies are not like us); if you don’t push back at a bully, he just keeps probing and stealing; torture does not yield good intel, you want your detainees to feel respected with some good cop/bad cop goin on.
Sonnenfeldt to Ernst von Weizsacker (father of Richard and deputy to Ribbentrop) “How did you react to the minister’s [Ribbentrop] mouthings when he was in office? Is he demented now [in Nurnberg awaiting trial] because he fearing for his life?” EvW responds “Hitler never noticed Ribbentrop’s babbling because Hitler always did all the talking.” Hahaha. Nazi humor.
Sonnenfeldt could be talking about one of our presidential candidates when he describes Nazis on trial: “The mediocrity, the lack of distinction of intellect…. Shielded by their ignorance of history, … ignorant of the rest of the world, … driven by ambition without integrity, … arrogant with all others…” Among many, many horrifying things to come out of Trump’s mouth was his assertion that Putin was not in Ukraine. He said this July 31, 2016.
Goring: “… The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.” Under a Trump Administration we’d get enemy Mexicans, Muslims, Chinese and disgusting women. Only Trump can handle these scapegoats.
On the results of the trials: “If there were any errors, I felt they had been on the side of lenience.”
My new favorite word “Geltungsbedurfnis”
On the English language “It wasn’t long before I even preferred this language to German, with its endless sentences where the verb was deferred to the very end. I felt liberated from that Teutonic passion for pigeonholing and qualifying nouns in endless clauses. It was so nice to get to the point more quickly in English.” I always thought German seemed a little impractical for such practical people. I need to learn why this is so.
On Christianity “ I became more convinced that Jesus was rejected because he had threatened what looked to my like a rabbi’s union.” Hahaha
From his sergeant in basic training before he deployed to the European Theater, WWII “Soldier, when you sit on the hopper and you hear me yell, ‘Fall in for roll call,’ you just snap her off and come a-runnin.” Not only grossly amusing but good training. Soldiers have to be VERY comfy with public displays of body functions in war for their safety.
The book would have been improved with photos, endnotes and tighter editing (minor repetition, possible extraneous info). Some of Sonnenfeldt’s tales seem a little tall. Crucially, he likely would have included more about his time in Nurnberg had he wrote it much earlier. His grandchildren were the catalyst much later. But, you know what, he was a remarkable man, part of our history and this story needed to be published before it was lost. 4 stars, goddammit.
As I continue my studies leading up to what may well be twilight in the US after our presidential election in November, I’m on a tyranny kick. Now I know more about war crimes and how to interrogate and prosecute in case Trump wins and orders our military to incorporate torture into our interrogations. I always wondered what Hitler REALLY thought of his legacy. I know he sure was disappointed in that bunker. I know he condemned the German people for losing. But, I have been confused cuz he was so proud of his team and so enamored of himself. And, after all, like Stalin over in the USSR, Hitler WAS Germany in his mind and in those of his minions. Sonnenfeldt makes it easier to understand how Hitler could first have embodied the state and subsequently have blamed Germany without blaming himself. Not rational, but, hey, nothing this Hitler guy did was rational.
Sonnenfelst hits on some of my arguments: We lose out when we mirror (our enemies are not like us); if you don’t push back at a bully, he just keeps probing and stealing; torture does not yield good intel, you want your detainees to feel respected with some good cop/bad cop goin on.
Sonnenfeldt to Ernst von Weizsacker (father of Richard and deputy to Ribbentrop) “How did you react to the minister’s [Ribbentrop] mouthings when he was in office? Is he demented now [in Nurnberg awaiting trial] because he fearing for his life?” EvW responds “Hitler never noticed Ribbentrop’s babbling because Hitler always did all the talking.” Hahaha. Nazi humor.
Sonnenfeldt could be talking about one of our presidential candidates when he describes Nazis on trial: “The mediocrity, the lack of distinction of intellect…. Shielded by their ignorance of history, … ignorant of the rest of the world, … driven by ambition without integrity, … arrogant with all others…” Among many, many horrifying things to come out of Trump’s mouth was his assertion that Putin was not in Ukraine. He said this July 31, 2016.
Goring: “… The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.” Under a Trump Administration we’d get enemy Mexicans, Muslims, Chinese and disgusting women. Only Trump can handle these scapegoats.
On the results of the trials: “If there were any errors, I felt they had been on the side of lenience.”
My new favorite word “Geltungsbedurfnis”
On the English language “It wasn’t long before I even preferred this language to German, with its endless sentences where the verb was deferred to the very end. I felt liberated from that Teutonic passion for pigeonholing and qualifying nouns in endless clauses. It was so nice to get to the point more quickly in English.” I always thought German seemed a little impractical for such practical people. I need to learn why this is so.
On Christianity “ I became more convinced that Jesus was rejected because he had threatened what looked to my like a rabbi’s union.” Hahaha
From his sergeant in basic training before he deployed to the European Theater, WWII “Soldier, when you sit on the hopper and you hear me yell, ‘Fall in for roll call,’ you just snap her off and come a-runnin.” Not only grossly amusing but good training. Soldiers have to be VERY comfy with public displays of body functions in war for their safety.
The book would have been improved with photos, endnotes and tighter editing (minor repetition, possible extraneous info). Some of Sonnenfeldt’s tales seem a little tall. Crucially, he likely would have included more about his time in Nurnberg had he wrote it much earlier. His grandchildren were the catalyst much later. But, you know what, he was a remarkable man, part of our history and this story needed to be published before it was lost. 4 stars, goddammit.
April 7, 2025
Self praise and rambling propaganda from a rodent that railroaded honorable men in a battery of public executions. As disgusting as one would imagine.
February 16, 2012
This book had a lot of potential but didn't end up being as good as I thought it would be. I did not feel the book order was right. The book ended up being about the mans life with a little bit on the trial. I didn't get enough of the trial to be satisfied. Also it felt like he was being braggy. That really bothered me. He also used too many exclamation marks!
January 19, 2021
This was a captivating read. I've been wanting to read more about the Nuremberg Trials and found it interesting that a German Jewish refugee's life could come full circle at the Nuremberg Trials. The fact that he was the chief interpreter of the trials gives an incredible perspective to the events. I appreciated learning more about his life as well.
May 18, 2017
Despite the accurate title, I didn’t realise that this book was not just about Richard Sonnenfeldt’s experiences at the Nuremburg trials, but rather a complete biography of his life. If you picked up this book just to learn more about the trials, stop. It’s not the book for you.
Once I realized the subject matter was more about the man, I found the book extremely interesting! I was completely captivated and even missed my subway stop on the way to work one morning I was so engrossed. What a life!
The narration on the other hand was just terrible. After listening for about 15 minutes and debating whether I should return the book (I am SO glad I didn’t) I realised I had lived this negative narration experience before – I recognized the voice. Sure enough, in 2014 I listened to “Escape from Sobibor” and described the narrator as: Monotone, staccato, no emotion, unvarying in pitch, no intonation and mechanical. It all still applies although I have to admit that I did get used to it.
The Epilogue to me felt like a cautionary tale, especially so because it was written long before anyone dreamt of the current mess that is Trump… it was almost prophetic! I found it all very sobering.
Once I realized the subject matter was more about the man, I found the book extremely interesting! I was completely captivated and even missed my subway stop on the way to work one morning I was so engrossed. What a life!
The narration on the other hand was just terrible. After listening for about 15 minutes and debating whether I should return the book (I am SO glad I didn’t) I realised I had lived this negative narration experience before – I recognized the voice. Sure enough, in 2014 I listened to “Escape from Sobibor” and described the narrator as: Monotone, staccato, no emotion, unvarying in pitch, no intonation and mechanical. It all still applies although I have to admit that I did get used to it.
The Epilogue to me felt like a cautionary tale, especially so because it was written long before anyone dreamt of the current mess that is Trump… it was almost prophetic! I found it all very sobering.
October 22, 2020
Eks autobiograafiad ole juba oma olemuselt subjektiivsed: see on mälestuste nõrkus, aga ka tugevus- näha sündmusi ja aega just selle konkreetse inimese silme läbi.
"Ma olin Nürnbergis" oleks pidanud mulle pajatama ajastust ja isikutest, kelle suhtes on mul kogu aeg olnud eriline huvi. Natuke ju oligi suurtest sündmustest juttu, peamiselt aga siiski autorist endast. Autobiograafiale ei olekski ju õiglane vastavalt mu kirjutise esimesele lõigule seda ette heita, aga lõpuks hakkas autori kõikjalt läbi kumav mõõdutundetu eneseimetlus siiski tohutult häirima ning oleks tahtnud hüüatada, et räägi lõpuks ometi asjast!
Paljud Sonnenfeldti tõekspidamised, mille jagamisega ta kaugeltki kitsi ei olnud (ja ikka mingilt kõrgemalseisvalt, ilmeksimatult ja ennastkiitvalt positsioonilt või isegi pjedestaalilt, ei kunagi oma tegudes ega mõtetes kaheldes) mõjusid samuti ebasümpaatselt. Näiteks ma muidugi ei soovi natside kuritegusid õigustada, aga autor laskus sageli lihtlabase sõimu ja kohtualuste mõnitamiseni. Kas see teeb ta neist paremaks inimeseks? Või võtkem Sonnenfeldti suhtumine naistesse, kelle väärtus seisneks nagu ainult nende välimuses ja hoolitsetuses ning natsidest naised, loomulikult, olid igal juhul "ilutud". Viimane tundus olevat autori meelest kangeim sõimusõna, mida on üldse võimalik õrnema soo suhtes kasutada, või vähemalt kõlas tema suus äärmiselt solvavalt. Minu arvates oli natsinaiste välimuse arvustamine lihtsalt madal.
Eelnevat kokku võttes ei olnud autor ise sugugi nii intelligentne ja arenenud, nagu ta endale ette kujutas. Samuti polnud ju liitlasedki nii õilsad midagi ning sumpasid ka põlvini (tsiviilisikute) veres. Kuid teadagi- võitjate üle kohut ei mõisteta.
Hakkas häirima ka teatav sinisilmsus või naiivsus, mis väljendus näiteks USA mõõdutundetus kiitmises, nagu oleks see kriitikast kõrgemal seisev õigusriik. Noh, võib-olla tõesti tollal oligi, aga mitte enam praegu ja mitte enam ammugi. Ideaalid on kõikjal kadunud, asendunud kõikjal võimujanu, vallutusiha ja karjerismiga.
Üks asi on ka see, mida lasti avalikkusele paista (karistamine, õiglus jne), teine asi aga, kuidas paljud riigid olid varmad omandama ja kasutama "vihatud" natside kogemusi ja tehnoloogiaid, saavutusi, mis olid kätte tulnud laibahunnikute hinnaga. Milline silmakirjalikkus!
Väga huvitav oli siiski lugeda Sonnenfeldti lapsepõlveaegse elu-olu ja tollaste tõekspidamiste kirjeldusi. Sakslaste loomuomadused (ülemused-alluvad, ajalooliselt väljakujunenud preisi kuulekus), mis tegid võimalikuks Hitlerile pimesi allumise ja kuritegude sooritamise ilma midagi kahtluse alla seadmata.
Raamatu lõpuosa läks igavaks ja ennastkordavaks, nõretas enese nautlemisest ja enesega rahulolust.
"Ma olin Nürnbergis" oleks pidanud mulle pajatama ajastust ja isikutest, kelle suhtes on mul kogu aeg olnud eriline huvi. Natuke ju oligi suurtest sündmustest juttu, peamiselt aga siiski autorist endast. Autobiograafiale ei olekski ju õiglane vastavalt mu kirjutise esimesele lõigule seda ette heita, aga lõpuks hakkas autori kõikjalt läbi kumav mõõdutundetu eneseimetlus siiski tohutult häirima ning oleks tahtnud hüüatada, et räägi lõpuks ometi asjast!
Paljud Sonnenfeldti tõekspidamised, mille jagamisega ta kaugeltki kitsi ei olnud (ja ikka mingilt kõrgemalseisvalt, ilmeksimatult ja ennastkiitvalt positsioonilt või isegi pjedestaalilt, ei kunagi oma tegudes ega mõtetes kaheldes) mõjusid samuti ebasümpaatselt. Näiteks ma muidugi ei soovi natside kuritegusid õigustada, aga autor laskus sageli lihtlabase sõimu ja kohtualuste mõnitamiseni. Kas see teeb ta neist paremaks inimeseks? Või võtkem Sonnenfeldti suhtumine naistesse, kelle väärtus seisneks nagu ainult nende välimuses ja hoolitsetuses ning natsidest naised, loomulikult, olid igal juhul "ilutud". Viimane tundus olevat autori meelest kangeim sõimusõna, mida on üldse võimalik õrnema soo suhtes kasutada, või vähemalt kõlas tema suus äärmiselt solvavalt. Minu arvates oli natsinaiste välimuse arvustamine lihtsalt madal.
Eelnevat kokku võttes ei olnud autor ise sugugi nii intelligentne ja arenenud, nagu ta endale ette kujutas. Samuti polnud ju liitlasedki nii õilsad midagi ning sumpasid ka põlvini (tsiviilisikute) veres. Kuid teadagi- võitjate üle kohut ei mõisteta.
Hakkas häirima ka teatav sinisilmsus või naiivsus, mis väljendus näiteks USA mõõdutundetus kiitmises, nagu oleks see kriitikast kõrgemal seisev õigusriik. Noh, võib-olla tõesti tollal oligi, aga mitte enam praegu ja mitte enam ammugi. Ideaalid on kõikjal kadunud, asendunud kõikjal võimujanu, vallutusiha ja karjerismiga.
Üks asi on ka see, mida lasti avalikkusele paista (karistamine, õiglus jne), teine asi aga, kuidas paljud riigid olid varmad omandama ja kasutama "vihatud" natside kogemusi ja tehnoloogiaid, saavutusi, mis olid kätte tulnud laibahunnikute hinnaga. Milline silmakirjalikkus!
Väga huvitav oli siiski lugeda Sonnenfeldti lapsepõlveaegse elu-olu ja tollaste tõekspidamiste kirjeldusi. Sakslaste loomuomadused (ülemused-alluvad, ajalooliselt väljakujunenud preisi kuulekus), mis tegid võimalikuks Hitlerile pimesi allumise ja kuritegude sooritamise ilma midagi kahtluse alla seadmata.
Raamatu lõpuosa läks igavaks ja ennastkordavaks, nõretas enese nautlemisest ja enesega rahulolust.
May 18, 2025
Richard is a Jew who fled Germany after the Nazis came to power. His family managed to escape; he first went to England and then finally to the US. At the end of the war, he returned to Germany as an interpreter at Nuremberg where the Nazis were being tried. A very well-written book, though the Nuremberg trials itself are only the early part of the book.
As an interpreter, he had to pore through documents & translate them for the allied forces to read. He also translated questions posed to the Nazis. Goering was the most senior of the lot. He tried his best to be evasive – claiming he had a large portfolio and could not know all of what was going on. An advantage Goeing had was that he was reasonably good at understanding English, and hence had time to think over his answer while it was being translated. The unnerving thing as Richard points out is that the Nazis all came across as ordinary people, and not madmen. A lesson that an evil leader with charisma can carry along lots of other people. Richard also returned many years later to the places he lived in when he was young and spoke to local people. As he points out, it was not easy to go against an entire machinery which had been put in place by the Nazis. Nevertheless, citizens do need to keep a watchful eye to ensure key principles of fairness & freedom are upheld.
After the descriptions of the Nuremberg trials, Richard goes back to his childhood and the rise of Nazism. The political events he describes can be read in many other sources and I wish the Nuremberg trials had more space. This is a well written book and his thoughts are very mature & carefully articulated. Much recommended.
As an interpreter, he had to pore through documents & translate them for the allied forces to read. He also translated questions posed to the Nazis. Goering was the most senior of the lot. He tried his best to be evasive – claiming he had a large portfolio and could not know all of what was going on. An advantage Goeing had was that he was reasonably good at understanding English, and hence had time to think over his answer while it was being translated. The unnerving thing as Richard points out is that the Nazis all came across as ordinary people, and not madmen. A lesson that an evil leader with charisma can carry along lots of other people. Richard also returned many years later to the places he lived in when he was young and spoke to local people. As he points out, it was not easy to go against an entire machinery which had been put in place by the Nazis. Nevertheless, citizens do need to keep a watchful eye to ensure key principles of fairness & freedom are upheld.
After the descriptions of the Nuremberg trials, Richard goes back to his childhood and the rise of Nazism. The political events he describes can be read in many other sources and I wish the Nuremberg trials had more space. This is a well written book and his thoughts are very mature & carefully articulated. Much recommended.
September 20, 2020
So now I’m reading history?!??
Excellent first person accounts of the words and attitudes of some of Hitler’s inner circle. Obviously I am very afraid of the similarities to the USA in 2020. The worship of an ‘infallible’ leader who delivers what a large swath of the populace thinks they want more than anything else leads to the rapid elimination of checks and balances in government and equally rapid elimination of multiple points of view. Once opposing points of view are illegal, taking a moral stand for the humanness of “dirty Jews” becomes an exercise in futility. How many brilliant young men like this author went to the gas chambers? How many Americans have embraced the inherent worthless of “the other” whether it is the wrong skin color or the wrong religious belief? How do I make a difference in this culture that I find myself in?
Excellent first person accounts of the words and attitudes of some of Hitler’s inner circle. Obviously I am very afraid of the similarities to the USA in 2020. The worship of an ‘infallible’ leader who delivers what a large swath of the populace thinks they want more than anything else leads to the rapid elimination of checks and balances in government and equally rapid elimination of multiple points of view. Once opposing points of view are illegal, taking a moral stand for the humanness of “dirty Jews” becomes an exercise in futility. How many brilliant young men like this author went to the gas chambers? How many Americans have embraced the inherent worthless of “the other” whether it is the wrong skin color or the wrong religious belief? How do I make a difference in this culture that I find myself in?
February 3, 2024
"Witness to Nuremberg" by Richard W. Sonnenfeldt is an autobiography. He lived a life of serendipity; a person of intelligence and adventure who happened live in times and places that led him to witness and partake of momentous human events. A German Jew who grew up in Hitler's early years in power, he escaped in a miraculous journey. He became an American soldier in key World War II events. Because of his language skills, he wound up at age 23 as the chief interpreter at the Nuremberg War Trials. Although that may have been the most important event in his life, there were many other aspects that filled up his life. This story reminds me very much of Louis Zamperini, the Olympic athlete and WW II aviator whose life was the subject of the book/movie "Unbroken". Sonnenfeldt is not as polish a writer as Laura Hillenbrand (author of "Unbroken"), but this is still a good story.
September 14, 2019
As told by the pertrators
I was very interested in hearing the story of young Jew who was able to leave Germany and have all sorts of adventures in his quest for freedom in America — Amazing adventures of a young man who could have ended up in one Hitlers ovens. To hear what the perpetrators of Hitler’s directions had to say in their own words. I had heard of the Nuremberg trials. But I did not remember most of it, so this was all new information. It made me think... what would I have done had I lived then. It also made me think of my own government and some of the things happening in America at the present time. What should I do to keep history from repeating itself?
I was very interested in hearing the story of young Jew who was able to leave Germany and have all sorts of adventures in his quest for freedom in America — Amazing adventures of a young man who could have ended up in one Hitlers ovens. To hear what the perpetrators of Hitler’s directions had to say in their own words. I had heard of the Nuremberg trials. But I did not remember most of it, so this was all new information. It made me think... what would I have done had I lived then. It also made me think of my own government and some of the things happening in America at the present time. What should I do to keep history from repeating itself?
January 13, 2023
Richard Sonnenfeldt was a Jewish German who's family fled Nazi Germany in the 30s to Britain and America. He returned in the 40s as a member of the US Army, and his unique position of being an Allied soldier who spoke fluent German landed him in the position of translator, which escalated into him becoming the chief translator for the US Prosecution during the Nuremberg Trials.
This starts off with his experience as a translator at the trials, before we wind back to his childhood in Germany, life as a refugee, education in England, deportation to Australia, repatriation to the US, and return to Germany for the war. His life is BUCKWILD. A very lucky chap.
Really interesting story.
This starts off with his experience as a translator at the trials, before we wind back to his childhood in Germany, life as a refugee, education in England, deportation to Australia, repatriation to the US, and return to Germany for the war. His life is BUCKWILD. A very lucky chap.
Really interesting story.
January 28, 2019
Very informative and interesting
My father fought in WW11 and was a prisoner of war for 2 1\2 years. All my life I was aware of his service, I was raised in the military. I knew of Hitler and the Nazis, I lived in Berlin Germany when there was still a West and East Berlin. The intimate details of the defendants of the Nuremberg Trials was very enlightening and at time surprising. The life story of The author as a New in Germany I enjoyed reading about how he escaped and the adventures that followed.
My father fought in WW11 and was a prisoner of war for 2 1\2 years. All my life I was aware of his service, I was raised in the military. I knew of Hitler and the Nazis, I lived in Berlin Germany when there was still a West and East Berlin. The intimate details of the defendants of the Nuremberg Trials was very enlightening and at time surprising. The life story of The author as a New in Germany I enjoyed reading about how he escaped and the adventures that followed.
July 6, 2020
I think I would have rated this book higher if it had been portrayed more clearly as a memoir. As a memoir, it’s gripping, and paints a vivid picture of both the challenges and opportunities facing a German Jew who was able to escape Nazi Germany ahead of the Holocaust. Sonnenfeldt’s life is one that you look at and invariably wonder whether you could have accomplished one-half (or one-tenth) of what he did. That said, the details around the Nuremberg trials are shared in only the first two chapters, so I was left wanting more.
December 14, 2023
Interesting
This book, while it does address his work at the Nuremberg trials, is more about his escape from Germany, before the net completely closed for the Jews, and his subsequent travels around the world. Eventually, he ends up in the American army and does see combat at the close of the war.
What I found most interesting was his observations of the various cultures that he encounters, along with his return to his German home town. His writing is quite good and the pace flows nicely.
This book, while it does address his work at the Nuremberg trials, is more about his escape from Germany, before the net completely closed for the Jews, and his subsequent travels around the world. Eventually, he ends up in the American army and does see combat at the close of the war.
What I found most interesting was his observations of the various cultures that he encounters, along with his return to his German home town. His writing is quite good and the pace flows nicely.
August 8, 2017
Not as much about Nuremberg as I had hoped.
The author lived one of the most extraordinary lives as anyone in the 20th century. A story that stands as a stark reminder to present generations and generations to come to always be aware and wary of too much power, given to and taken by too few.
The author lived one of the most extraordinary lives as anyone in the 20th century. A story that stands as a stark reminder to present generations and generations to come to always be aware and wary of too much power, given to and taken by too few.
January 2, 2019
One of the best books so far
I have read countless books on the Holocaust.... 20 years of reading. This book answered so many questions I'd been looking for answers. First book I've read that didn't leave me wondering with so many unanswered questions. Questions perhaps Richard was the only one who could answer.
I have read countless books on the Holocaust.... 20 years of reading. This book answered so many questions I'd been looking for answers. First book I've read that didn't leave me wondering with so many unanswered questions. Questions perhaps Richard was the only one who could answer.
March 27, 2019
A Jew who was an interpreter at the Nuremberg trials
Interesting autobiography covering the Nuremberg trials (small section) but mainly Richard ‘s life growing up in Germany, his time in England, Australia, India and finally America. I thought the book would be more about the trials but was not. He had an interesting life. It’s a great book for his descendants.
Interesting autobiography covering the Nuremberg trials (small section) but mainly Richard ‘s life growing up in Germany, his time in England, Australia, India and finally America. I thought the book would be more about the trials but was not. He had an interesting life. It’s a great book for his descendants.
August 31, 2020
An Incredible story
What a life this man had. From the most unfortunate of circumstances he was able to escape certain death, travel the world and confront some of history’s most villainous and evil men of the twentieth century. It was truly remarkable especially how circumstances that seemed truly unfortunate turned out to be blessings. Very inspirational.
What a life this man had. From the most unfortunate of circumstances he was able to escape certain death, travel the world and confront some of history’s most villainous and evil men of the twentieth century. It was truly remarkable especially how circumstances that seemed truly unfortunate turned out to be blessings. Very inspirational.
September 21, 2020
Mr. Sonnenfeldt has led a most interesting life. By age 25 he had experienced more than most people do for a full life and even after that he went on to be involved with many groundbreaking things that he just brushed over in this autobiography. I am so glad his grandkids got him to put his story down on paper; truly a remarkable man with an inspiring story
June 8, 2021
An interesting account of an astonishing life. It started of slowly with the Nuremberg trials and his account of interrogating top Nazis, but once he got started on his own life in pre-was Germany the book fairly sizzled! he best explanation I have read so far on how Hitler managed to achieve domination of Germany
November 20, 2025
To the day it’s been 80 years since the Nuremberg trials. There is a movie with an all star cast and finding out it’s a book I just had to read the mind behind it. It was an intriguing read for someone who got to translate for some of the top minds see who they were. Be apart of the most famous trial.
It’s a must read I think since the perspective is so unique.
It’s a must read I think since the perspective is so unique.
June 21, 2017
Judgment at Nurembrerg
An inspiring and exciting story about a Jew who escaped Germany before the war, fought in the US army, and went on to become the interpreter for the US prosecution at Nuermberg
An inspiring and exciting story about a Jew who escaped Germany before the war, fought in the US army, and went on to become the interpreter for the US prosecution at Nuermberg
April 14, 2020
Good historical reading
This is a very good book that describes what life was like for a German Jewish Teenage boy in Nazi Germany. The author overcame much adversity to end up with a brilliant life.
This is a very good book that describes what life was like for a German Jewish Teenage boy in Nazi Germany. The author overcame much adversity to end up with a brilliant life.
September 27, 2020
Incredible narrative of a German youth, refugee, immigrants, soldier and witness to what happened in Nuremberg.
Although I would have loved to read more about the actual trials, this book gives a good view of life before, during and after WWII.
Although I would have loved to read more about the actual trials, this book gives a good view of life before, during and after WWII.
November 27, 2022
Spellbinding!!! A well written account of Germany in the thirties! And onwward.
Well written, and the author provides an excellent short history of the 1940s. Strongly recommend this author's first person history.
Well written, and the author provides an excellent short history of the 1940s. Strongly recommend this author's first person history.
December 20, 2023
I enjoyed reading another times of how people survived this time and the horrible times they survived. I hope we never ever having to endure these horrible times again. Freedom isn't free and we must guard it.
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April 15, 2025i don’t rate memoirs
this was a long one- in that it took a while to read, not that it’s a long book. i really appreciated richard’s mature outlook on all things nazi. he kept his head and speaks in a way that even alexander from the traitors would be proud of
this was a long one- in that it took a while to read, not that it’s a long book. i really appreciated richard’s mature outlook on all things nazi. he kept his head and speaks in a way that even alexander from the traitors would be proud of
November 29, 2025
Review of witness to Nuremberg
This book is interesting in that it mainly explains
the 2025 movie "Nuremberg" which I had little knowledge of. It doesn't read like a novel, but contains a lot of facts.
This book is interesting in that it mainly explains
the 2025 movie "Nuremberg" which I had little knowledge of. It doesn't read like a novel, but contains a lot of facts.
May 26, 2017
Extremely interesting read
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