A magnificent book, so matter of fact in its style and yet a transcription of reality: a reality that we are likely to find difficult to deal with. Whilst I have been well aware of "Mischlinge" and the "goings on" that started around 1930, this book brings things into stark reality. No frills, no sensationalism, just real facts told by a man about himself and his wider family and hidden away until very recently. The manuscript was discovered by Sharon Ring (the niece) who had it translated and has now offered it to us. Thank you and 6 Stars from me. I read a lot of history and this book makes Germany and some of the very important but under reported happenings before and during the war accessible to all. An Advanced Reader Copy review - free books never buy my opinion!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. This book is an amalgamation of the memoir and memories of a brother and sister and their family revealing their ill treatment and persecution in Nazi Germany. I was aware of the term Mischling due to the Puffin Plus book in the early 1980 called Mischling Second Degree by Ilse Koehn but I would say that the Mischlinge are one of the lesser known victims of the Nazis. The book is so readable and interesting. The characters are very well drawn and likeable and the reader follows with dread all the things to which they were subjected. It also sheds a light on the work camps and the slave labourers rather than the better known concentration camps. I liked that the book goes beyond the war and liberation. I have not read many books which deal with the struggles of survivors in the aftermath of the war. In this book some of the family go to Israel and I was unaware of just what that involved. No spoilers but as well as being involved in the war and the beginnings of the State of Israel, Heini also lived in East Berlin. Here we have many of the important events of the 20th century as experienced by one person. It is fascinating. In these times where many people seem to be ignorant of or indifferent to the horrors perpetrated by the Third Reich against Jewish people, this is book provides a very accessible eye opener.