Inge's War

A German Woman's Story of Family, Secrets and Survival under Hitler

De: Svenja O'Donnell

Narrado por: Kristin Atherton

"An extraordinary saga." —David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon

The mesmerizing account of a granddaughter's search for a World War II family history hidden for sixty years

Growing up in Paris as the daughter of a German mother and an Irish father, Svenja O'Donnell knew little of her family's German past. All she knew was that her great-grandparents, grandmother, and mother had fled their home city of Königsberg near the end of World War II, never to return. But everything changed when O'Donnell traveled to the city—now known as Kaliningrad, and a part of Russia—and called her grandmother, who uncharacteristically burst into tears. "I have so much to tell you," Inge said.

In this transporting and illuminating book, the award-winning journalist vividly reconstructs the story of Inge's life from the rise of the Nazis through the brutal postwar years, from falling in love with a man who was sent to the Eastern Front just after she became pregnant with his child, to spearheading her family's flight as the Red Army closed in, her young daughter in tow. Ultimately, O'Donnell uncovers the act of violence that separated Inge from the man she loved; a terrible secret hidden for more than six decades.

A captivating World War II saga, Inge's War is also a powerful reckoning with the meaning of German identity and inherited trauma. In retracing her grandmother's footsteps, O'Donnell not only discovers the remarkable story of a woman caught in the gears of history, but also comes face-to-face with her family's legacy of neutrality and inaction—and offers a rare glimpse into a reality too long buried by silence and shame.

Different perspective on WW2

Thought-provoking, insightful and beautifully written biography that presents so many sides of the tragedies of war.

Eye-opener and heartwarming

This book is an eye-opener to the multi-generational consequences of war, through the lens of a lineage of women. Its prose elegantly and beautifully written; its narration brilliantly enacted.

Inge's story stayed with me for days!

Her experiences highlight the moral dilemmas involved in war time. Yes, Germany brought the horrors of war on itself and yes, the Nazi regime was evil. But for those who had to live with the consequences of war some of the answers are not so easy. O'Donnell does an excellent job of detailing her grandmother's story and, by the design of the story, also shows how long and painful the telling became for Inge. This is just one of thousands of stories of love, loss, tragedy, and choices that come out of war and it is told with gentleness and love.

Compelling story, superb narrator

This haunting story details a tragedy of two German young people, in love but trapped in the vice grip of WW2. The narrator is terrific! Listen to this book, you won’t regret it.

Heartbreaking

I learned quite a bit about Prussia. I never knew this side of the story. If we don’t remember the past, we’re destined to repeat it.

fascinating history

this is an intriguing detective story of a woman who reconstructs her grandmother's experiences in eastern Europe during WW2.

Ordinary German Citizens Caught Up

Excellent memoir about a family caught in a conflict they never wanted. This was narrated beautifully.

Amazing, moving story

Inge’s War is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking books I’ve ever read. Not only Inge’s story, but a history lesson for the ages.

Difficult story, beautifully told

This is a side/story of WW2 I haven’t heard much about or given much thought to. The story was heartbreakingly human and thoughtfully told.

good narration

This story is about two families. It does not describe the day to day horror on the streets in Berlin. It does not describe the actual day to day horrors of fear. The story describes well how a teenager saw her world and being a maturing awakening teenager.