Irmgard A. Hunt

Very interesting to read about the Nazi regime through the eyes of a child. Irmgard was young when Hitler rose to power, but she was old enough to see the conflicts of opinion in her own family and the emotions that were running high after WWI. As the Nazi regime took over, Irmgard realized that there were different types of people around her... some were desperate and hopeful after the disaster of the war, and thought Hitler might have the answers. Others she knew were against him from the start. Some were fanatics, desperate to use their power to root out anyone who might not be devoted to their beloved Furher's cause, while others went through the motions against their will. When Hitler began pushing into other countries, and WWII began in earnest, her father was one of the men called up to serve at the front. It wasn't long before she learned that he would not return, and the sorrow and anger she felt.

I have always been curious about the regular people who supported Hitler, and what they thought as things became more and more extreme and dangerous. How much did they actually know? Were they scared? It was such a confusing and terrifying time for so many, especially the children, and the end of the war would have been just as confusing and traumatic being the losing side, brainwashed by harsh propaganda, and desperate for food and a return to normalcy.

I think Irmgard Hunt does an excellent job of truly giving us insight into her thoughts as a child, and the emotions she felt, but was unable to express to those around her. It truly showed the horrors of war on those who had little to begin with, and yet did their best to survive, and how hope can turn to feelings of betrayal and incredible sacrifice and loss. She also talks about her own doubts and fears that would surface on occasion as her young mind processed things happening around her.. and her horror when she came to understand, later, what could have happened to people she loved had she done small things differently.… (mere)