Hans' Journal

Why didn't the German people know about the concentration camps during World War II ? This is just one historical question addressed in this personal narrative by Saltzwedel, who as a teen watched the war unfold and served in the Hitler Youth organization. Looking back with this journal, however, Saltzwedel provides some interesting personal observations. The book also includes many photos. Saltzwedel opens the tale with a fascinating description of his family, which serves as an essential backdrop to the coming events. He was reared in Stettin, the former capital of the province of Pomerania. His family included wealthy industrialists and honored military men, but they were not members of the Nazi Party. Although the author describes his life as a Hitler Youth, "Hans' Journal" is fascinating because it is not another war tale of battles, heroism, villainy and slaughter. The book's strength is its simplicity, an account of everyday life among civilians in wartime Germany, told in a conventional tone. Yes, obviously the rise and fall of the Third Reich ultimately had a great impact on the young Saltzwedel and his family. However, it is this personal perspective of the Third Reich - a German perspective - that helps enlighten readers, providing a better understanding of the people who endured World War II.Saltzwedel, Hans H. is the author of 'Hans' Journal' with ISBN 9780977457403 and ISBN 0977457400.