The Secrets of the Notebook

A Woman's Quest to Uncover Her Royal Family Secret

By: Eve Haas

Narrated by: Jane Carr

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

“The beautiful owner of this book is dearer to me than my life - August your protector.” This one sentence was the key to a mystery involving some of the greatest and most infamous figures in European history, from Frederick the Great to Napoleon and Hitler - and solved by the author of this book.

Eve Haas is the daughter of a German Jewish family that took refuge in London after Hitler came to power. Following a terrifying air raid in the blitz, her father revealed the family secret - that her great-great grandmother Emilie was married to a Prussian prince. He then showed her the treasured leather-bound notebook inscribed to Emilie by the prince.

Her parents were reluctant to learn more, but later in life, when Eve was married and inherited the diary, she became obsessed with proving this birthright. The Secrets of the Notebook tells how she follows the clues, from experts on European royalty in London to archives in West Germany and then, under threat of being arrested as a spy by the Communist regime, to an archive in East Germany that had never before opened its doors to the West. What she unearths is a love story set against the upheaval of the Napoleonic wars and the anti-Semitism of the Prussian court - and a ruse that both protected Emilie’s daughter and probably condemned her granddaughter - Eve’s beloved grandmother, Anna - to death in the Nazi camps.

When first published in the UK, The Secrets of the Notebook was an Irish Times best seller. A movie based on the book is in production.

©2013 Eve Haas (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Fascinating story!

This is a good story and really remarkable because it’s true! As someone who has done a lot of genealogy, I know how addictive but also how frustrating it can be to find family in historical records. It must have taken a lot of nerve to defy the authorities and go into East Germany during the Cold War. Her tenacity and the support of a loving husband eventually paid off and she found the pieces of her puzzle. Great narration—-highly recommended!

A Wonderful Tale About A Princess

that came true. The author's search for her family history spans decades and is truly remarkable to hear.

Fascinating

Absolutely fascinating! Will keep you interested until the end! Sad but true story. Must listen!

fascinating

I was raptured by this extraordinary story. Well written and narrated but mostly fascinating to learn all the historical details.

Excellent

I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. I would definitely recommend to my friends

Good book!

Loved this book! Love this time period. Good narrator and flow. Would recommend to a friend.

Genealogy trail that leads to major changes to a family tree

This book was not what I was expecting but it was so interesting. I love genealogy and this book had a lot of twists and turns; it was a great!

Not what I expected

I wasn’t expecting the emotions I felt at the story of searching for her Grandmother’s past. I enjoyed this book very much.

Facinating

This was a fascinating story of a woman’s search for her family history. The information she gathers is as fascinating as the journey.

The Secrets of the Notebook

I found this book to be very interesting and truly enjoyed the reader’s voice. I felt as though I was with them on their journey. I felt a kind of peace when at the ending she found the story of hurt grandmother.