Die Stunde der Frauen: Bericht aus Pommern 1944 bis 1947

by Christian Graf von Krockow

Recalls the author's experiences during the last days of the war

Genres: German Literature, Nonfiction

288 pages, Pocket Book

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Christian Graf von Krockow was a German writer and political scientist.

He was born in Rumbske, Pomerania, in the German Empire.

Reviews

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut geschrieben, spannend. Die Großeltern meines Vaters sind allesamt aus Pommern nach Schleswig-Holstein geflohen, meine Großeltern reden doch wenig bis gar nicht darüber. Es fühlt sich irgendwie richtig an, durch dieses Buch irgendwie ansatzweise erahnen zu können, wie das wohl gewesen sein muss.

[Lily Holliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the translation of this book, Hour of the Women: A Young Mothers Fight to Survive at the end of World War II. This book reads as a novel even though it is a memoir. I could not put it down. It takes place at the end of the war when Russia invaded eastern Germany - Pomerania, which became part of Poland at the time. Libussa endured being driven from her home in the late stages of pregnancy. As the title indicates, it was the women who rose to the occasion, constantly finding ways to overcome the extreme threats from the invaders as well as the constant deprivations of a land left in chaos.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its written in the style of storytelling of my late grandmother... Not surprising, at it is the story as recalled by my grandmother, written by her brother. I read this twice, the first time not being able to finish it for some reason, and recently while at my aunts house who is the baby born in the story... The circumstances of the pregnancy and birth and first year are so crazy. Recently My grandmother died as i became pregnant with my now 8 month old son, her great grandson! We had very different experiences of pregnancy childbirth and survival... War and adrenaline versus Peace and Serotonin... I feel part of a continuum in the evolution of civilization.... and i have a greater sense of understanding now for the generations and my past grievances are all washed away, even for the things i don't understand intellectually... the things that i don't know are bound to have explanations and my grievances are only my witnessing of 'room for improvement' which i shall bare forward to this next generation.

The most remarkable thing about the heroine's character is her sense of humor, her presence, and her ability for reflection on the nature of the human mind. Perhaps its a combination of Libussa and Christians joint efforts, but nevertheless i thought it was profound. Tragedy and comedy, terror and joy, good and evil....

[Anita Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! And to think I nearly gave up after the first chapter... I had no desire to read about the survival of a wealthy family. As my grandmother would tell me, it didn’t matter how much money you had… there was no food, no supplies, nothing.
Libussa’s stories helped me understand how my aunts and grandparents survived as they fled from the Soviet occupation.
I will buy copies and share with my family. Wow. Just wow!
So grateful these stories were published and translated to English.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein sehr schönes Buch. Spannend und wunderschön geschrieben.

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although at one level this is a book about women, and a specific woman's journey to independence through the things she has to do to survive in post-war Germany, it is really just as much a book about toxic masculinity. The author doesn't use that term, but in telling his sister's story he also reflects on the behaviour of his father and other men in the family, clearly showing that their socialisation and resulting approach to life was, in some ways, part of the problem.

[Annalise Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother gave me this book many years ago, telling me to “please, really read this one.” It took me a while to get around to it, and I’m so glad I did. It’s a powerful story of survival, full of incredible intricate details that outline how ingenious women can be in war time. It’s a memoir that reads like a thriller at points, following Libussa’s many, many side quests to keep her family alive.

[Christel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zeitzeugin, nicht ohne Dünkel. Bisschen angestaubt.