Prague Winter

A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948

By: Madeleine Albright

Narrated by: Madeleine Albright

Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Before Madeleine Albright turned twelve, her life was shaken by the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia - the country where she was born - the Battle of Britain, the near total destruction of European Jewry, the Allied victory in World War II, the rise of communism, and the onset of the Cold War.

Albright's experiences, and those of her family, provide a lens through which to view the most tumultuous dozen years in modern history. Drawing on her memory, her parents' written reflections, interviews with contemporaries, and newly available documents, Albright recounts a tale that is by turns harrowing and inspiring. Prague Winter is an exploration of the past with timeless dilemmas in mind and, simultaneously, a journey with universal lessons that is intensely personal.

The book takes readers from the Bohemian capital's thousand-year-old castle to the bomb shelters of London, from the desolate prison ghetto of TerezÍn to the highest councils of European and American government. Albright reflects on her discovery of her family's Jewish heritage many decades after the war, on her Czech homeland's tangled history, and on the stark moral choices faced by her parents and their generation. Often relying on eyewitness descriptions, she tells the story of how millions of ordinary citizens were ripped from familiar surroundings and forced into new roles as exiled leaders and freedom fighters, resistance organizers and collaborators, victims and killers. These events of enormous complexity are nevertheless shaped by concepts familiar to any growing child: fear, trust, adaptation, the search for identity, the pressure to conform, the quest for independence, and the difference between right and wrong.

"No one who lived through the years of 1937 to 1948," Albright writes, "was a stranger to profound sadness. Millions of innocents did not survive, and their deaths must never be forgotten. Today we lack the power to reclaim lost lives, but we have a duty to learn all that we can about what happened and why." At once a deeply personal memoir and an incisive work of history, Prague Winter serves as a guide to the future through the lessons of the past - as seen through the eyes of one of the international community's most respected and fascinating figures.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Madeleine Albright (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

“A remarkable story of adventure and passion, tragedy and courage set against the backdrop of occupied Czechoslovakia and World War II. Albright provides fresh insights into the events that shaped her career and challenges us to think deeply about the moral dilemmas that arise in our own lives.” (Vaclav Havel)

“I was totally blown away by this book. It is a breathtaking combination of the historical and the personal. Albright confronts the brutal realities of the Holocaust and the conflicted moral choices it led to. An unforgettable tale of fascism and communism, courage and realism, families and heartache and love. (Walter Isaacson)

“A genuinely admirable book. Albright skillfully returns us to some of the darkest years of modern times. Spring eventually came to Prague, but in much of the world it is still winter. The love of democracy fills every one of these instructive and stirring pages.” (Leon Wieseltier)

the history of Czechoslovakia in the eyes of Madel

I assumed this book would contain a combination of political and military history, but I expected more of Madeleine's own story. It seemed to be, rather, just a history book told in the first person. The proportions of each were reversed. I was excited to have Mrs. Albright herself read it, but she read stiffly, without the easy, natural cadence I had expected.

Many times I came very close to quitting -- something I do very rarely. But amid the dry parts, there were laugh- outloud moments and touching vignettes -- but far too many "I should/shouldn't just quit" moments. Most importantly to me, there were "Keeper Quotes" that kept me going with intermittent reinforcement!

The descriptions of the Communist riots and political anti-government protests were a timely message to the citizens of the US in 2021. Scary to see fascist leftists - in this book and on the streets.

Epic story of Prague, war and life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Important history, made real for today by a writer who both lived it and studied it.

What did you like best about this story?

It brought to life Holocaust victims, who we too often reduce to statistics. It also reveals the devastating personal choices that determined life and death, made by people who had little conception of the danger they were in.

Have you listened to any of Madeleine Albright’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listened to Madame Secretary. They are both excellent.

Any additional comments?

I bought this book because my husband and I are preparing for a trip to Prague, and I wasn't happy with the books that the tour company recommended. I chose this only because it was about Prague, but got so much more out of it that I proceeded to listen to her wider autobiography, Madame Secretary. Prague Winter is a personal reminiscence of war -- hot and cold -- by someone who was a child trapped in it, an historian who studied it, and a diplomat who worked to mend the wounds. It is especially important for its documentation of what happened to one family in the Holocaust. It is compelling both as history and personal narrative. I recommend it to anyone interested in the history of World War II or the Holocaust.

A beautiful tribute to the Czech people

What a beautiful tribute written by a former Secretary of State to the Czech people, her people. Brings the characters and personalities alive because she or her family knew them personally. Beautifully written and eloquent. Can’t wait to visit Prague again soon. Thank you Madam Secretary for writing your family’s story - and thankful that your father was a man of integrity to guide your heart and mind into world affairs.

Fascinating

Thank you for this fascinating truth about my homeland and clarification of so many questions I had.
This is an amazing great book lovely to listen to Madeleine.
Terezie Srncova

Very timely.

Where does Prague Winter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one that will be recommended and reread. It ranks among my favorites.
Albright weaves the story of her early life and that of her family with events of the war years. The historical portion illuminates a part of history with which I've been only vaguely familiar with descriptions that are well-researched and presented clearly and in a balanced manner. The narrative is compelling and the message is timely.

Comprehensive, Personal Acccount

Delighted to discover Secretary Albright narrated the book she authored. Interesting, detailed account of the period, the politics, that part of Europe. Her personal experiences, observations, connections added a richness that provided a nice break from facts.

Amazing and enlightening

Narrated by the famous author herself, this story comes to life and light. It should be read by everyone.

Very interesting and personal

After I returned from Prague, I wanted to learn more about it's incredible history. I chose Madeleine Albright's book from audible as a start. I have heard her speak at the Commonwealth Club and simply find her intelligence and persona very pleasing. I was captivated by this book and her story regrading her history regarding Prague and PRAGUE'S history. I appreciated that she narrated her own book as well. At first, I thought the book was going be "slow"... and not that interesting to listen to... but the more I listened, the more I wanted to listen. I highly recommend it.

great history

I was expecting a little more memoire, but the history she shared was phenomenal. Mrs. Albright is a wonderful storyteller.

I Lived in Prague

I lived in Prague for two full years 1993 to 1995. This book filled in so much in the way of details of the historic figures that you heard about over there. What a great book and great life’s story.