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Travelers in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd

 width=Travelers in the Third Reich (Pegasus Books) viscerally recounts a period of history we can only now look back on with shame and horror. Author Julia Boyd charts the rise of the Nazi party in Germany from 1919 to 1945 with first-hand accounts from expatriates that contribute a tapestry of perspectives to a time marked by brainwashed hate and apathy for those suffering. A repeating crux emerges clearly through the story: Without the benefit of hindsight, how do you interpret what’s right in front of your eyes?

Diverse voices from politicians, musicians, diplomats, schoolchildren, communists, scholars, athletes, poets, fascists, artists, tourists and celebrities (Charles Lindbergh and Samuel Beckett) all come together to contribute a holistic picture of the rise and fall of the Third Reich.

As the Third Reich was in power, how did travelers to the country justify their apathy to the Jewish plight? Were they any worse than those who heard the news at home and also chose to ignore the evil deeds? What would you do if a Jewish mother begged to take her daughter with you as you left the country? These are all difficult questions that Boyd raises in her story and ones that extend far past the time period. In reading this important story, we cannot help but put ourselves in the shoes of these people, and think about whether we would have the courage and strength to act differently.

Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of Boyd’s tale is how she captures the hysteria of the Third Reich through untampered accounts from those who lived seemingly detached from the crisis through the time period. Those who never thought they would have anything to do with the Jewish plight felt pulled into war’s chaos.

Bonds of love and loyalty were forged and broken and atrocities ignored under the watchful eye of the Führer. Take Bridget Gilligan for instance. Her German fiancé Hugo writes to her with great earnestness on a topic she never thought would make or break her marriage.

My darling, if you should have the slightest suspicion that there was any non-Aryan blood in your family, please do tell me. The worst thing that could happen would be to find out after we have been married because then we would have to be divorced.

Proving the purity of your partner’s blood was essential at this time, and often clearly more vital than the feelings that compelled an individual to commit his/her life to another. Poor Bridget was forced to take off her rose-colored glasses and look more carefully at the priorities of her lover (as well as check her lineage)!

Though Bridget married into a German family and tried to move away from where the war hit hardest while her husband was in Norway, the lack of young men and shortage of supplies were continuous reminders that the war permeated all aspects of life. The voices of this narrative speak for themselves, alternating among perspectives heartening, empowering and yes, revolting. Despite this constant change in tone, the compelling theme of authenticity rings strong through all accounts.

Tourism as an industry persisted in Germany despite its inhumane treatment of an immense portion of its citizens. Boyd is quick to point out that “cruising on the Rhine, drinking beer in a sunlit garden or walking alongside a happy band of singing schoolchildren made it all too easy to forget tales of torture, repression and rearmament.” It was blissful and convenient to forget for periods of time, but impossible to forget for long.

Boyd’s powerful narrative reminds us all of the consequences of choosing ignorance and the hefty responsibility we all must bear as global citizens.

Travelers in the Third Reich is now available to purchase.

 

 

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Travelers in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd
Genre: Nonfiction
Author: Julia Boyd
Publisher: Pegasus Books
ISBN: 9781643132530
Rebecca Proulx

Rebecca grew up in Connecticut and returns to her home state to pursue her favorite subject of all time, books. She completed her undergraduate education at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island with dual degrees in English Literature and Global Communications. She is the Assistant Editor at BookTrib and looks forward to connecting people with great authors.

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