Destined to Witness

Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany

By: Hans Massaquoi

Narrated by: Peter Jay Fernandez

Length: 19 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

What would life be like for a Black boy growing up in Nazi Germany? This unprecedented autobiography answers that question with the spellbinding true story of Hans J. Massaquoi’s life in Hamburg during the height of Hitler’s regime.

Hans is the son of a Black Liberian diplomat father and a white German mother. His father returns to Africa at the beginning of the war, leaving them behind in poverty and without the means to flee. Bewildered, Hans is force-fed ceaseless anti-semitic and anti-African propaganda in his schools. Within this tense atmosphere, increasingly violent Nazi policies and Allied bombing raids make Hans and his mother’s lives a desperate day-to-day struggle for survival.

Through countless close calls, Hans perseveres by his ingenuity, strength of character and a liberal dose of good luck - eventually going on to find his father in Liberia and emigrate to America.

Peter Jay Fernandez’s intense narration brilliantly punctuates all of the tragedy and triumph in this monumental audiobook.

©1999 Hans J. Massaquoi (P)2001 Recorded Books

A must read for anyone interested in the black history

This book is a must read for anyone is curious about getting to know african history beyond what is generally taught. It kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the end.

What a story…

Hans story was captivating. Very detailed and direct. It was like taking a step back into history.

Excellent

Excellent book. It is so compelling. Of all the books I've heard on audible this is my first time making a comment. That is a testament to this outstanding book.

All should read this detailed story of the life of Hans Massaqoui

I found this book intriguing. It allows one to experience the life of people living in Nazi Germany and two subsequent countries, Liberia and the USA & offers much in gaining an understand of the varied thoughts of the people living under the rulership at that time. The story opens up one’s understanding bringing compassion for the suffrage of those not in agreement with the rulership of the day. Fantastic read

A great walk through the life of one man

Excellent account of Hans’ life which leaves you mesmerized, spellbound and wishing for more. It comes with sharp details and amazing facts. Definitely a front row seat to history. Enjoyed the ride immensely.

A Well Told of a Life in the Head Winds

The Narration: Seamless. The inflections and tenor of the narrator made this easily one of the most aesthetically enjoyable reads I can compare in my years listening to audio books.

The Content: Destined to Witness is a cradle to middle age narrative which is rich the experiences that men face growing up, which brings one close to the writer's experience. The story then begins to ascend like a roller coaster ticking up the first precipice; as the implications of the time and setting this man was born into reveal their eminence in history and set the stage for a great story.

I can pay no greater compliment than to say the emotions and thoughts conveyed in the book had me swaying like sports fan watching a live game in over time. For such a harrowing tale there is an uncanny optimism, as the writer does not shrink from expounding his good experiences in equal measure to his tribulations.

Over All: This is a story all should read, not simply for a wonderful message which will stimulate your thoughts, but because it is a great listen and well worth a credit at it's 19 hour running time which had me engrossed throughout.

Dope listen...

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Great to get the insight on a Black man's plight & upbringing during the Nazi era.

One of the most amazing books I've ever read!!

Any additional comments?

This is one of the most incredible stories I've ever heard! Such a different perspective than most WW II memoirs. I couldn't put it down! A must listen for anyone, really!

Easily the best book I have read this year

I cannot recommend this book enough. I got it as a recommendation from my boyfriend and I couldn’t stop listening to it. Amazing story in a very pleasant narration.

Growing up black in Nazi Germany

Would you listen to Destined to Witness again? Why?

It was a good movie and I would watch the movie again. Although the movie is somewhat abridged. This is no fault of the movie maker. When you have a time budget of three hours for making a movie you got to decide what is included and what is left out.

What did you like best about this story?

This audiobook reminds me of a 2-part, 3-hour movie called Neger, Neger, Schornsteinfeger which means Negro, Negro Chimney Sweeper. You can find it on the youtube.com website. It is all in German with very limited subtitles like three percent of the movie. I loved it. The whole story line follows the same narrative as the movie.

Have you listened to any of Peter Jay Fernandez’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator of this movie speaks very clearly. I would be glad to listen to more of this man's narrations.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This is a good audiobook

Any additional comments?

This movie expresses the limited roles that a negro could do as a job. Jobs were limited to entertainment like boxing and playing the part of an African tribe at a zoo. I've heard of some blacks in other stories that worked in itinerant circuses travelling around the country of Germany.