Dear Reader:
A lot has happened since my last blog entry. I never expected that my book would trigger so much interest which resulted in over 100 lectures and presentations throughout Florida, Canada (Montreal), New York,California (Los Angeles) and Israel.Furthermore, I have given several radio interviews on local NPR stations, was featured in a JTLV Yom Hashoa program and contribute to a documentary about children of supporters of the Nazi regime.
I feel humbled and honored to have had the privilege sharing my life experience with so many wonderful people from all walks of life. I also continue contributing all of my lecture proceeds to various charitable organizations supporting the teaching of the Holocaust and the support of Holocaust survivors. Meanwhile my book was also published in Brazil and an Israeli edition is pending.
Most importantly, I just returned from a very emotional journey to Poland visiting the sites of the former concentration camps culminating in the March of the Living which I walked together with my daughter Jade from Auschwitz to Birkenau.
I will never forget standing next to the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria in Birkenau silently praying for the all of victims of Nazi genocide. I hope that my creator will give me the strength to build a better world and to share my aspirations and ideas for many years to come.
I look forward hearing from you.
Yours truly,
Bernd
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Amazon Kindle Edition
If you like to read the book on your kindle then follow this link http://www.amazon.com/German-Life-Against-Possible-ebook/dp/B002MPPYGG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1251177820&sr=1-1
Monday, August 24, 2009
EBooks Now Available
Following your suggestions I am offering now my book as an ebook on Amazon.com (Kindle) and on Mobipocket.com.
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Canada Book Tour
Was invited to give two book presentations in Montreal,Canada on September 17th and 18th 2009.
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Book Goes Global
Dear Reader:
I haven't kept up posting updates to my blog but there is indeed a lot to report.
1) I lecture frequently throughout South Florida. Upcoming meetings include presentations for the "March of the Living" program. Next scheduled on May 5th 2009 and May 14th 2009 and at Na'amat Boynton Beach,FL May 7th http://www.naamat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=90 .
2) The leading Israeli Newspaper Yediot Ahronot published a 4-page article on April 17th which reached millions of households in Israel.
3) Galei Zahal, the Israeli Defense Forces radio station,interviewed me on April 25th and broadcasted the interview on April 20th.
4) A leader Israeli publisher agreed to publish the book "A German Life" in Hebrew. More details to follow.
5) You can follow my activities on Twitter at agermanlife.
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
I haven't kept up posting updates to my blog but there is indeed a lot to report.
1) I lecture frequently throughout South Florida. Upcoming meetings include presentations for the "March of the Living" program. Next scheduled on May 5th 2009 and May 14th 2009 and at Na'amat Boynton Beach,FL May 7th http://www.naamat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=90 .
2) The leading Israeli Newspaper Yediot Ahronot published a 4-page article on April 17th which reached millions of households in Israel.
3) Galei Zahal, the Israeli Defense Forces radio station,interviewed me on April 25th and broadcasted the interview on April 20th.
4) A leader Israeli publisher agreed to publish the book "A German Life" in Hebrew. More details to follow.
5) You can follow my activities on Twitter at agermanlife.
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Friday, December 26, 2008
Stauffenberg:New Book Publication
he Tom Cruise movie " Valkyrie" popularized the issue of resistance against the Nazi Regime. Unfortunately, the movie depicts only the sizzling action of the failed assassination attempt. The producer does not even attempt to explain the complex character of Count Claus von Stauffenberg, who who represented the one beacon of hope that pierced the dark cloud of tyranny which had settled over Germany.
Unfortunately, the bomb failed to kill Hitler. Nearly six thousand men and women were subsequently murdered in the wake of Hitler’s revenge; many strangled in front of cameras. Hitler gloated while watching these executions captured on film.
Stauffenberg was one of the first to die, his body shattered by bullets, burnt to ashes, and scattered over unknown fields. His pregnant wife Nina was arrested by the Gestapo, confined to a prison then later to a concentration camp. Though their children were given up for adoption, all survived the war and later reunited.
I was born in 1958, the son of a highly decorated World War II tank commander and grew up in the house of family Stauffenberg.
In this book I recalls my childhood growing up in the house of a postwar German hero and questions my fathers war accomplishments as a WWII tank commander.
I learned first about Stauffenberg’s heroic action from my father who dismissively called him a traitor.
My father, a German officer like Stauffenberg, was sworn to defend and obey Adolf Hitler. He grudgingly admitted to me that he knew about the murder of Jews but chose to ignore it; his inaction in stark contrast to the decision made by Stauffenberg. My father’s inability to admit to what I saw as his mistakes led to conflict and the dissolution of our relationship. From conversations with Stauffenberg’s widow and personal study, I tried to discern what, unlike my own father, had motivated Stauffenberg to break his oath and attempt tyrannicide.
According to close confidants who survived Hitler’s revenge, Stauffenberg received reports about the mass murder of Jews and was convinced of their authenticity. He himself witnessed the events of November 9-10, 1938, euphemistically called Crystal Night, when most synagogues in Germany were burnt down. Ninety-one Jews were killed and an estimated 20,000 were sent to concentration camps. This not only symbolized the beginning of the end of Jewish life in Germany but also convinced Stauffenberg that such a tyrant had to be removed from power.
Stauffenberg’s strong personal sense of religious morality and justice conflicted with his commitment as an officer sworn to defend his nation. He discussed Hitler’s removal from power with close friends and confidants but at the same time continued to serve his fatherland in the war, which had turned Europe into an inferno. He himself was almost fatally wounded in North Africa in 1943, yet despite crippling injuries, he joined existing resistance groups, eventually emerging as their leader.
In the absence of suitable candidates he volunteered to carry the bomb and tried at least twice to detonate it in front of Hitler even if it meant sacrificing himself. On that fateful day the third attempt to kill Hitler failed. One can only imagine how many lives could have been saved had he succeeded.
What did I learn from his bravery? That a solid ethical and spiritual foundation and commitment to act along those principles defines a moral person. Furthermore, that as citizens of any country, we should not blindly follow our leaders but must critically judge them, finding the courage to object and even to disobey.
Stauffenberg was not a martyr or tragic hero. He was a man who followed his mind and heart. His sacrifice reverberates as a timeless message of hope throughout my life. We should not forget him and all the other men and women of July 20, 1944.
Their sacrifice gave hope for a new generation of Germans like me.
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Unfortunately, the bomb failed to kill Hitler. Nearly six thousand men and women were subsequently murdered in the wake of Hitler’s revenge; many strangled in front of cameras. Hitler gloated while watching these executions captured on film.
Stauffenberg was one of the first to die, his body shattered by bullets, burnt to ashes, and scattered over unknown fields. His pregnant wife Nina was arrested by the Gestapo, confined to a prison then later to a concentration camp. Though their children were given up for adoption, all survived the war and later reunited.
I was born in 1958, the son of a highly decorated World War II tank commander and grew up in the house of family Stauffenberg.
In this book I recalls my childhood growing up in the house of a postwar German hero and questions my fathers war accomplishments as a WWII tank commander.
I learned first about Stauffenberg’s heroic action from my father who dismissively called him a traitor.
My father, a German officer like Stauffenberg, was sworn to defend and obey Adolf Hitler. He grudgingly admitted to me that he knew about the murder of Jews but chose to ignore it; his inaction in stark contrast to the decision made by Stauffenberg. My father’s inability to admit to what I saw as his mistakes led to conflict and the dissolution of our relationship. From conversations with Stauffenberg’s widow and personal study, I tried to discern what, unlike my own father, had motivated Stauffenberg to break his oath and attempt tyrannicide.
According to close confidants who survived Hitler’s revenge, Stauffenberg received reports about the mass murder of Jews and was convinced of their authenticity. He himself witnessed the events of November 9-10, 1938, euphemistically called Crystal Night, when most synagogues in Germany were burnt down. Ninety-one Jews were killed and an estimated 20,000 were sent to concentration camps. This not only symbolized the beginning of the end of Jewish life in Germany but also convinced Stauffenberg that such a tyrant had to be removed from power.
Stauffenberg’s strong personal sense of religious morality and justice conflicted with his commitment as an officer sworn to defend his nation. He discussed Hitler’s removal from power with close friends and confidants but at the same time continued to serve his fatherland in the war, which had turned Europe into an inferno. He himself was almost fatally wounded in North Africa in 1943, yet despite crippling injuries, he joined existing resistance groups, eventually emerging as their leader.
In the absence of suitable candidates he volunteered to carry the bomb and tried at least twice to detonate it in front of Hitler even if it meant sacrificing himself. On that fateful day the third attempt to kill Hitler failed. One can only imagine how many lives could have been saved had he succeeded.
What did I learn from his bravery? That a solid ethical and spiritual foundation and commitment to act along those principles defines a moral person. Furthermore, that as citizens of any country, we should not blindly follow our leaders but must critically judge them, finding the courage to object and even to disobey.
Stauffenberg was not a martyr or tragic hero. He was a man who followed his mind and heart. His sacrifice reverberates as a timeless message of hope throughout my life. We should not forget him and all the other men and women of July 20, 1944.
Their sacrifice gave hope for a new generation of Germans like me.
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Remember July 20th, 1944
Today marks the 64th Anniversary of the attempt by a group of courageous officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
The attempt failed and thousands of brave men and women were imprisoned, tortured and killed by Hitler's henchmen.
Among them Count Claus von Stauffenberg and in his memory I have written the attached editorial:
=============================================================================
Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg: Bravery in The Face of Tyranny
By Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD
July 20, 1944 marks a turning point in Germany’s history when a few brave men attempted the assassination of Adolf Hitler. Among them, Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg who represented the one beacon of hope that pierced the dark cloud of tyranny which had settled over Germany.
Unfortunately, the bomb failed to kill Hitler. Nearly six thousand men and women were subsequently murdered in the wake of Hitler’s revenge; many strangled in front of cameras. Hitler gloated while watching these executions captured on film.
Stauffenberg was one of the first to die, his body shattered by bullets, burnt to ashes, and scattered over unknown fields. His pregnant wife Nina was arrested by the Gestapo, confined to a prison then later to a concentration camp. Though their children were given up for adoption, all survived the war and later reunited.
I was born in 1958, the son of a highly decorated World War II tank commander who grew up in the house of family Stauffenberg.
I learned first about Stauffenberg’s heroic action from my father who dismissively called him a traitor.
My father, a German officer like Stauffenberg, was sworn to defend and obey Adolf Hitler. He grudgingly admitted to me that he knew about the murder of Jews but chose to ignore it; his inaction in stark contrast to the decision made by Stauffenberg. My father’s inability to admit to what I saw as his mistakes led to conflict and the dissolution of our relationship. From conversations with Stauffenberg’s widow and personal study, I tried to discern what, unlike my own father, had motivated Stauffenberg to break his oath and attempt tyrannicide.
According to close confidants who survived Hitler’s revenge, Stauffenberg received reports about the mass murder of Jews and was convinced of their authenticity. He himself witnessed the events of November 9-10, 1938, euphemistically called Crystal Night, when most synagogues in Germany were burnt down. Ninety-one Jews were killed and an estimated 20,000 were sent to concentration camps. This not only symbolized the beginning of the end of Jewish life in Germany but also convinced Stauffenberg that such a tyrant had to be removed from power.
His strong personal sense of religious morality and justice conflicted with his commitment as an officer sworn to defend his nation. He discussed Hitler’s removal from power with close friends and confidants but at the same time continued to serve his fatherland in the war, which had turned Europe into an inferno. He himself was almost fatally wounded in North Africa in 1943, yet despite crippling injuries, he joined existing resistance groups, eventually emerging as their leader.
In the absence of suitable candidates he volunteered to carry the bomb and tried at least twice to detonate it in front of Hitler even if it meant sacrificing himself. On that fateful day the third attempt to kill Hitler failed. One can only imagine how many lives could have been saved had he succeeded.
What did I learn from his bravery? That a solid ethical and spiritual foundation and commitment to act along those principles defines a moral person. Furthermore, that as citizens of any country, we should not blindly follow our leaders but must critically judge them, finding the courage to object and even to disobey.
Stauffenberg was not a martyr or tragic hero. He was a man who followed his mind and heart. His sacrifice reverberates as a timeless message of hope throughout my life. I will not forget him and all the other men and women of July 20, 1944.
The attempt failed and thousands of brave men and women were imprisoned, tortured and killed by Hitler's henchmen.
Among them Count Claus von Stauffenberg and in his memory I have written the attached editorial:
=============================================================================
Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg: Bravery in The Face of Tyranny
By Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD
July 20, 1944 marks a turning point in Germany’s history when a few brave men attempted the assassination of Adolf Hitler. Among them, Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg who represented the one beacon of hope that pierced the dark cloud of tyranny which had settled over Germany.
Unfortunately, the bomb failed to kill Hitler. Nearly six thousand men and women were subsequently murdered in the wake of Hitler’s revenge; many strangled in front of cameras. Hitler gloated while watching these executions captured on film.
Stauffenberg was one of the first to die, his body shattered by bullets, burnt to ashes, and scattered over unknown fields. His pregnant wife Nina was arrested by the Gestapo, confined to a prison then later to a concentration camp. Though their children were given up for adoption, all survived the war and later reunited.
I was born in 1958, the son of a highly decorated World War II tank commander who grew up in the house of family Stauffenberg.
I learned first about Stauffenberg’s heroic action from my father who dismissively called him a traitor.
My father, a German officer like Stauffenberg, was sworn to defend and obey Adolf Hitler. He grudgingly admitted to me that he knew about the murder of Jews but chose to ignore it; his inaction in stark contrast to the decision made by Stauffenberg. My father’s inability to admit to what I saw as his mistakes led to conflict and the dissolution of our relationship. From conversations with Stauffenberg’s widow and personal study, I tried to discern what, unlike my own father, had motivated Stauffenberg to break his oath and attempt tyrannicide.
According to close confidants who survived Hitler’s revenge, Stauffenberg received reports about the mass murder of Jews and was convinced of their authenticity. He himself witnessed the events of November 9-10, 1938, euphemistically called Crystal Night, when most synagogues in Germany were burnt down. Ninety-one Jews were killed and an estimated 20,000 were sent to concentration camps. This not only symbolized the beginning of the end of Jewish life in Germany but also convinced Stauffenberg that such a tyrant had to be removed from power.
His strong personal sense of religious morality and justice conflicted with his commitment as an officer sworn to defend his nation. He discussed Hitler’s removal from power with close friends and confidants but at the same time continued to serve his fatherland in the war, which had turned Europe into an inferno. He himself was almost fatally wounded in North Africa in 1943, yet despite crippling injuries, he joined existing resistance groups, eventually emerging as their leader.
In the absence of suitable candidates he volunteered to carry the bomb and tried at least twice to detonate it in front of Hitler even if it meant sacrificing himself. On that fateful day the third attempt to kill Hitler failed. One can only imagine how many lives could have been saved had he succeeded.
What did I learn from his bravery? That a solid ethical and spiritual foundation and commitment to act along those principles defines a moral person. Furthermore, that as citizens of any country, we should not blindly follow our leaders but must critically judge them, finding the courage to object and even to disobey.
Stauffenberg was not a martyr or tragic hero. He was a man who followed his mind and heart. His sacrifice reverberates as a timeless message of hope throughout my life. I will not forget him and all the other men and women of July 20, 1944.
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