Great WWII story from the common German citizens side
348723
Great WWII story from the common German citizens side. Having studied European history in college some 40 years ago I found this book very interesting and it rekindled some of my old passions for that era.
194929
I am a history buff and have always enjoyed World War II stories that are somewhat out of the mainstream.  "WEHRMACHT DIARY," written by Wolfgang Cooper, ends up being one of those stories.  The book follows the exploits of Major Siegfried Knappe, who fought for the German Army in virtually every major campaign during the conflict - was wounded numerous times - ended up in the Fuhrer bunker with Adolf Hitler near the end of the war where he served as a communications expert, shuttling back and forth between the front lines and the final German defenses - spent five years in various Soviet prison camps after the war - and finally made his way to East Germany, where he helped his family escape to the west.  The amazing Major Knappe finally made his way to the United States.  This is a very good book about a good soldier and a good family man.  Similar to the movies "Das Boat" and "Cross Of Iron," I found myself pulling for Knappe and his comrades to get out of their perilous situations.  Fascinating and easy to read.  Not to technical.  I loved it - and so did my father.
3928411
I have read many books about WWII but this was the first from the view of a 14 year old Hitler Youth. It took me a couple chapters to get into it as the writing was a more formal format but once I was submerged I couldn't put it down. This story gives a completely new perspective and was focused on what was happening in Berlin towards the end of the war which was very different that what other parts of Germany were experiencing. Great read for anyone who wants to learn more about WWII as it a piece of history not usually seen in this kind of detail in any other book out there.
1464404
A good WWII aviation story.  This is a German story of their heroes.  They are not Nazis of course but loyal to the Fatherland.
3892671
I loved this book. Having lived in Germany as a military wife, I understood so much of what was happening. The author explained the things that could be confusing,made the story easy to follow. Held my attention to the end----didn't want to put it down. todays generation could understand how hard life was in that time and maybe know that there are still people that live that way now. Loed this book.
480020
Reason for Reading: I like the author and would simply read anything he wrote.

This story set during WWII is from a perspective which I don't read much of, that of the everyday German family. I have read books from the German perspective but usually they are hiding Jews and that would be the focus of the story. An Elephant in the Garden does not really explore the War itself very much, outside of what this middle class pacifist family would know from the propaganda they were fed. Before the war actually starts they have had a heated argument with their closest relatives who have said they never want to see them again as they believe Hitler will be good for the country and our family, living in Dresden think he is a madman. War starts and Papi is called to active duty, sent to fight in France and later in Russia. Mutti has gotten herself a job working at the local zoo which is a walkable distance from their home. With this background, we enter the main theme of the book as the Allies are winning, drawing nearer to the cities, and then Dresden is bombed to a pile of ash. Mutti, Karl and Elizabeth leave the city as many refugees do as they have the Americans coming from one side and the Russians from the other and no one wants to suffer at the hands of the Russians. So they all head towards the Americans, but Mutti feels she must bring Marlene with her, a very sad, grieving baby elephant whose mother died several months ago. Mutti has known her since she was born. Marlene has been living in their garden overnights and has become a part of the family. It is a hard journey for any refugee as they trudge for weeks through the snow, rationing a dwindling supply of food, with the Russians ever present at their back but with an elephant along this brings added elements both bad and good.

This is a delightful story but wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be. It was a very quiet story, with interesting things happening but without any buildup to a big climax; it simply told a fascinating story with a calm approach. From the point of the German family it was a bit strange as the war as a whole was not a topic, only how it affected them: loosing Papi to the army and then the penultimate loss of house and home from the bombings. Hitler is mentioned twice by German characters who vehemently despised everything he stood for. Otherwise this could have been any war and I think there are two ways of understanding this story.

One, from the everyday German civilian's point of view who suffered as much as any Allied civilian who had his town bombed to smithereens. This reminds us that wars are started by governments not the civilians. Second, the story focuses on the refugee status of the family, the long journey to safety, and upon safety being labeled "displaced persons" and put into a fenced-in camp. This compares to the modern day war refugees we see on TV today who have been driven from their homes and shows that refugeeism is a fall-out from war itself and has happened in every war to both sides, throughout history.

A good read. Marlene the elephant adds humour and quirkiness to the story, she also brings people together who would not otherwise have spoken to each other. But yet, with all that goes on, it is still a quiet book that goes at a steady pace and lingers.
3724025
This title caught my attention, as I had never seen anything from a non-Ally point of view. While the memories are very graphic this narrative humanizes these German soldiers like nothing I have read before. It is a quick read that I don't think you will be disappointed with.
2522129
Great story line and probably a lot of truth to those who lived through occupied France during WWII.
2632839
Enjoyable story - I really enjoy the literature relating to what was going on during WW II in Europe.  This was a view of the Nazis from the vantage point of individuals who were Jewish and trying to fit in - both in Germany and other Nazi conquered lands.  Different perspective than what I have read before.  And interesting to see how conquered people just tried to survive until the war was over.
1072832
This is an amazing story of the side of World War II that most people know little or nothing about.  Ms Walkow grabs your attention from first chapter to the last and shows you the struggles of both sides to survive in a war they were thrown into and unable to control.  It is a story at times make will make you smile and at times wipe a tear.  A must read
3884956
I generally like the first-person accounts of WWII; the exploits of the "greatest generation" are worth reading, even if sometimes you have to wade through some pretty amateurish writing. But this one is among the best; the story is absorbing and the subject little-known, and the writing is adequate to the task. Nice job!
2776627
Very good story about the industry in Nazi Germani. How even the business men took side with Hitler. And how they contribute tomthe war effort.
774282
This book gives a different view of WWII and from a different place than usually depicted.  This story takes place in Paris and is from multiple people's views.  These individuals are trying to infiltrate the German Army and help Jews in any way possible!  From a young Jewish woman, the owner of a bookstore and a Banker from the Country you gather an all around picture of what is going on.  The way that the German occupation effected each makes the story believable and keeps you enthralled!

This book was a very good read and I plan to share it with other people.  I really enjoyed the different view this book gave!
2540982
Great children's story about the German occupation during early World War II and their dealings with the Jewish people.  My wife was a fourth grade teacher who read this book to her class.  They were fascinated by the story and probably learned a lot about people and prejudice.
4078682
In addition to a clever story, excellent details of everyday life in England during WWII.  I never realized the tangible fear that the Germans could actually invade the country.  People worked together to survive.
4176109
I loved the historical aspect of the story, told by the main character's grandfather. It made WWII more real to me, seeing it from both the ordinary citizen and soldier's viewpoint. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the fact that the narrator seemed oblivious to what he was reading (don't want to spoil the plot), which could have been handled better and actually made the plot more intriguing.
3358984
I was hooked on this story from the first page.  This is not a "chick" book.  Took the main story of WW2 and wove in wonderful side events about the people and places of that horrific time.