Thank you for sharing that, David. My grandmother was first generation American; her parents were from Germany and Austria. I remember her telling me that she and her siblings sent care packages of socks and cigarettes to a cousin--a German POW in WWII. I always admired how caring for family overcame the political aspects, which has informed my feelings about my German heritage. Her parents were definitely solid American citizens--the first thing my great-grandfather did after getting citizenship was join the U.S. Army to show his loyalty to the country.
I always appreciate your finds from around the bookish web, too. Re-reading Kristin Lavransdatter right now, so that Sigrid Undset link looks especially interesting, plus an abridged Life of Johnson, and am about to order Prisoners of the Castle.
Can you link the new edition of The Wasteland that you mentioned in your Close Reads best of 2022? Thanks for all you do.
I agree with the other comments here. This is jaw-droppingly beautiful writing. I'm going to buy the book immediately...from Goldberry, and I only wish I could also buy a biography of your grandmother. Thank you.
Carl Schurz (immigrated in 1852, was a Union General in the Civil War), once compared the love of old and new homelands as being “no more incompatible than love for one’s wife and one’s mother”. But what happens when those two are at odds?
Beautifully written piece, David. Thoughtfully articulated! I’m looking forward to reading his book, as soon as I can.
Thanks for sharing some of your family's history David! I often wonder how the descendants of German Christians feel about their relative's attitudes and actions during WWII. Blaming or excusing them seems a shallow response- your recognition of the complexity of their particular situation and German culture in general is enlightening. Macintyre's book sounds really great...might have to try to work it into my reading this year. Along with half a dozen other books from the best reads of 2022 episode!
This is so moving to read, David. Thank you for sharing about your family's history and this book. It sounds fascinating. I recently read The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym by Paula Byrne. Pym loved Germany and German culture and language in the 1930s and visited Germany multiple times during that decade. After WWII, Byrne describes how Pym felt similarly conflicted about her relationship with Germany. I got the impression it was a lifelong struggle for Pym as well.
Love this, David! What a treasure trove of family history you have!
Great content and related material.
What a thoughtful and compelling reflection, David! Thank you for sharing a bit of your family’s story and this interesting book!
What a great reflection. Beautiful writing on your part and some important things to ponder and think about! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that, David. My grandmother was first generation American; her parents were from Germany and Austria. I remember her telling me that she and her siblings sent care packages of socks and cigarettes to a cousin--a German POW in WWII. I always admired how caring for family overcame the political aspects, which has informed my feelings about my German heritage. Her parents were definitely solid American citizens--the first thing my great-grandfather did after getting citizenship was join the U.S. Army to show his loyalty to the country.
I always appreciate your finds from around the bookish web, too. Re-reading Kristin Lavransdatter right now, so that Sigrid Undset link looks especially interesting, plus an abridged Life of Johnson, and am about to order Prisoners of the Castle.
Can you link the new edition of The Wasteland that you mentioned in your Close Reads best of 2022? Thanks for all you do.
I agree with the other comments here. This is jaw-droppingly beautiful writing. I'm going to buy the book immediately...from Goldberry, and I only wish I could also buy a biography of your grandmother. Thank you.
Carl Schurz (immigrated in 1852, was a Union General in the Civil War), once compared the love of old and new homelands as being “no more incompatible than love for one’s wife and one’s mother”. But what happens when those two are at odds?
Beautifully written piece, David. Thoughtfully articulated! I’m looking forward to reading his book, as soon as I can.
Thanks for sharing some of your family's history David! I often wonder how the descendants of German Christians feel about their relative's attitudes and actions during WWII. Blaming or excusing them seems a shallow response- your recognition of the complexity of their particular situation and German culture in general is enlightening. Macintyre's book sounds really great...might have to try to work it into my reading this year. Along with half a dozen other books from the best reads of 2022 episode!
This is so moving to read, David. Thank you for sharing about your family's history and this book. It sounds fascinating. I recently read The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym by Paula Byrne. Pym loved Germany and German culture and language in the 1930s and visited Germany multiple times during that decade. After WWII, Byrne describes how Pym felt similarly conflicted about her relationship with Germany. I got the impression it was a lifelong struggle for Pym as well.
Byrne is such a good writer!
She is! I loved her Jane Austen biography in 2022, too.
This book was on my to-be-read list as soon as it came out, but now I really need to get a copy soon and read it!