Prague Winter

A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948

De: Madeleine Albright

Narrado por: Madeleine Albright

“A riveting tale of her family’s experience in Europe during World War II [and] a well-wrought political history of the region, told with great authority. . . . More than a memoir, this is a book of facts and action, a chronicle of a war in progress from a partisan faithful to the idea of Czechoslovakian democracy.” -- Los Angeles Times

Drawn from her own memory, her parents’ written reflections, and interviews with contemporaries, the former US Secretary of State and New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Albright's tale that is by turns harrowing and inspiring

Before she turned twelve, Madeleine Albright’s life was shaken by some of the most cataclysmic events of the 20th century: the Nazi invasion of her native Prague, the Battle of Britain, the attempted genocide of European Jewry, the allied victory in World War II, the rise of communism, and the onset of the Cold War.

In Prague Winter, 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 exile leaders and freedom fighters, resistance organizers and collaborators, victims and killers. These events of enormous complexity are 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.

Prague Winter is an exploration of the past with timeless dilemmas in mind, a journey with universal lessons that is simultaneously a deeply personal memoir and an incisive work of history. It 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 in history. Albright and her family’s experiences provide an intensely human lens through which to view the most political and tumultuous years in modern history.

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 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.