Irmgard A. HuntCritiques

This is a memoir from a woman about her girlhood in a small mountain community very close to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest before, during, and after World War 2, and while I can be picky about memoir I do tend to enjoy those by people who lived through important historical events. So I did appreciate this, which is well-constructed and interesting, though I wished there had been more information about the author’s later childhood/early adulthood years.

Very interesting to read about the Nazi regime through the eyes of a child. Irmgard was young when Hitler rose to power, but she was old enough to see the conflicts of opinion in her own family and the emotions that were running high after WWI. As the Nazi regime took over, Irmgard realized that there were different types of people around her... some were desperate and hopeful after the disaster of the war, and thought Hitler might have the answers. Others she knew were against him from the start. Some were fanatics, desperate to use their power to root out anyone who might not be devoted to their beloved Furher's cause, while others went through the motions against their will. When Hitler began pushing into other countries, and WWII began in earnest, her father was one of the men called up to serve at the front. It wasn't long before she learned that he would not return, and the sorrow and anger she felt.

I have always been curious about the regular people who supported Hitler, and what they thought as things became more and more extreme and dangerous. How much did they actually know? Were they scared? It was such a confusing and terrifying time for so many, especially the children, and the end of the war would have been just as confusing and traumatic being the losing side, brainwashed by harsh propaganda, and desperate for food and a return to normalcy.

I think Irmgard Hunt does an excellent job of truly giving us insight into her thoughts as a child, and the emotions she felt, but was unable to express to those around her. It truly showed the horrors of war on those who had little to begin with, and yet did their best to survive, and how hope can turn to feelings of betrayal and incredible sacrifice and loss. She also talks about her own doubts and fears that would surface on occasion as her young mind processed things happening around her.. and her horror when she came to understand, later, what could have happened to people she loved had she done small things differently.

Fascinating and thoughtful memoir of a young girl growing up in Germany, literally under the shadow of the Eagle's Nest, during the rise and fall of the Nazi party. This book and the author's words about the ease of a country falling prey to a dictator seem especially pertinent in my own country's current political situation. Highly recommended.

Irmgard Hunt grew up on the Berchtesgaden mountain where Hitler had his Eagles Nest. this book is the story of her childhood and her encounters with Nazi Germany. It provides a wonderful kid's eye view of WW II history.

A fascinating viewpoint of a child's life in Berchtesgaden from the early 1930s through to 1947. Particularly interesting were the political divisions within her family between her grandparents who were anti-nazi and her parents who were in favour of Hitler.

Wow. Written from the POV of a "normal" German girl growing up in the shadow of Hitler's mountain hideaway, this tells you about the hardships the Germans themselves had to endure during the war years, what they were told & what they were not told until the end, all from the memoirs of one well respected woman's childhood memories, as well as the memories of family members & friends. I found this book absolutely mesmerizing, funny at moments, very sad at others, but a total page turner. Well worth the read. SO glad I found this one at the local coffee shop as a book offered in their take one, leave one program. Thank you to whoever left it! I learned a lot!

Irmgard Hunt does a good job telling the story of her childhood in the Bavarian village of Berchtesgaden, in shadow of the Eagle's Nest and near Hitler's Alpine retreat. Germany here was relatively untouched by the atrocities of Nazi Germany until the end of the war. But to hear another voice from Germany is interesting, her discomfort to be put on Hitlers' lap as a child,& her growing questions of the Nazi party.

The memoir of a girl from a very ordinary German family who, as a child, grew up in a house quite near one of Hitler's residences in Germany. She actually met him when she was three or so, and got photographed sitting on his lap. And many times she saw him and his entourage driving past her house.

Neither of Hunt's parents were fanatical Nazis by any means, but they both helped vote Hitler into power. And, after reading Hunt's description of the chaos and despair of the Weimar Republic, I didn't blame them a bit. In fact, I found myself thinking, with a bit of horror, "I might have voted for the guy too." I HATE IT when I find myself empathizing in that way; it makes me feel very uncomfortable.

Irmgard's father was drafted into the German Army and ultimately killed in France. After his death, her mother began to feel differently about the Nazi regime, but she never actively opposed it. Then, after the war, everyone had to deal with the aftermath of what happened.

I think it's important for everyone to understand why stuff like Nazi Germany happened, and what it's like for a normal person to live under a tyrannical regime. This is a well-written book that accomplishes both of those aims.

I thought the book was based on a weak incident- a four year old got to sit it Hitler's lap. It told the rise and fall of the Third Reich from the mountain of Berchtesgarden. Who really cares. It seems so insignificant from her as opposed to the soldiers WITH THE OLD BREED- E.B. Sledge or HELMET FOR MY PILLOW by Robert Lecke or from a war point of view- RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH and many others.

I have read a number of holocaust survival books. This is the first book I have read from the point of view of a German. Irmgard and her family lived on the mountain of Berchtesgarden, the same mountain which Hitler built his alpine retreat. Her family, like most Germans, joined the Nazi party amidst Hitler’s promises of economic stability and prosperity. During the war they experienced food and heating shortages, but managed to survive in their peaceful little town. Although they heard rumors of Jewish transport trains, they knew nothing of the horrors committed at the concentration camps. As one of the last areas to be conquered by the Allies, Berchtesgarden was spared most of the destruction of other German cities.

Although this was an interesting book taken from a unique point of view, it was slow at times. I found it hard to sympathize with their struggles and hardships, not because they were German, but because of the author’s writing style.

I read this book for a RL book group. We have a tradition of Nazis for Christmas so that is how the book got picked.

It also sounded so fascinating, an inside look from someone who was there. Unfortunately it was Nazi-lite, very little insight into the whys and wherefores of the German's love of Hitler. I don't know if its because she doesn't know, or if she is afraid of offending her family and fellow countrymen? The result is rather unsatisfying.

I understand that as a small child she would have been oblivious to a lot, but she is writing it as an adult. I think if she wrote: when I was 5 this is what happened, and then added a section that has the adult looking back and re-evaluating, and added: as an adult, I know this is what really happened, or this is what it meant. She seems to have done very little re-evaluation or self-reflection (or is unwilling to share).

The book is pretty standard about tough times, ala the depression, with the Wiemar Republic that affected her parents. The economic relief that Hitler brought in the early years seems to cement their devotion. The town's isolation from the violence and atrocities (but really don't they all say 'We didn't know'), kept them loyal. A few quiet local disappearances that are ignored, because they are foreign or Jews - but there was no hatred in her town. The way a local family hides their 'slightly defective' daughter from official sight once an older 'severely defective' child is forcibly taken to a state hospital and mysteriously dies. Their cultural inability to speak up or stand against authority means there are no questions and no protests. The prevalence of informers as a damper on freedom.

It covers all bases to explain a.) we didn't know, b.) it wasn't that bad, c.) we were too afraid, d.) there was nothing we could do. But really that explains why they didn't object, but does little to explain the infatuation with those who supported Hitler all the way through, and continued to do so in the face of deprivation and personal loss.

There is a little about the arrival and occupation by American troops. I get the impression that she doesn't want to say anything that will insult her new countrymen (she now lives in the USA)so it seems very anodyne.

The book is still interesting, and sad when her father dies in France. She mentions the Holocaust and doesn't deny it. She says it was horrible and they are all guilty and have a debt to pay. Yet she doesn't go into details, or show how it connects to her life or the life of her town. What the impact was on her parents and the older people who were active Hitler supporters.

At one point she says that she wrote the book because the older generation won't talk about it. In this book she talks about it, but in a general and non-specific way, like something from ancient history. Kind of like the non-apology, apology.½

This was quite enjoyable. There could, perhaps, have been more about how they felt when they learned about the atrocities that had been committed under Hitler.

4369. On Hitler's Mountain Overcoming the Legacy of a Nazi Childhood, by Irmgard A. Hunt (read 5 Oct 2007) This is a 2005 book by a German girl born May 28, 1934, to parents living in the area of Berchtesgaden. Her parents were in favor of the Nazis, and she grew up believing in Hitler (who once took her on his lap when she was 3 years old). She tells of the war years,and her mother's struggle. Her father was killed in France in 1942. The account is consistently interesting, and easy to read and it provides insight into the time and what it was like living in Nazidom. The author has lived in the US since 1957.