Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany - Hardcover

9780688171551: Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
A great deal of Holocaust survival stories revolve around disguise--many Jews were forced into impersonation by the desperateness of their plight. Imagine if a person, by the accident of birth, was deigned a target of Nazi hatred but hadn't an option of disguise.

The son of a well-to-do African and a white German nurse, Hans lived a privileged toddler's life befitting the grandson of a diplomat. Concern for Hans's frail health caused his mother to remain with him in Germany when his grandfather and father were compelled to return to Liberia. He and his mother become part of Hamburg's poor working class, forced to live in a cramped attic apartment without hot water and electricity. But their change in social status was to be only the beginning of their hardships.

For twelve agonizing years following Hitler's rise to power, Hans, like all non-Aryans, was dehumanized and devalued by the Nazis. Living in constant fear of death, by either the Gestapo executioners or Allied bombs, Hans's existence became increasingly precarious until liberation by British troops in 1945.

What sets Hans's story apart from other memoirs of the Holocaust era is that his high visibility made him an easily recognizable target, stranded without the comfort of a racial community of any sort. Destined to Witness is a memoir filled with courage, feeling, and intelligence that will touch readers everywhere.A great deal of Holocaust survival stories revolve around disguise--many Jews were forced into impersonation by the desperateness of their plight. Imagine if a person, by the accident of birth, was deigned a target of Nazi hatred but hadn't an option of disguise.

The son of a well-to-do African and a white German nurse, Hans lived a privileged toddler's life befitting the grandson of a diplomat. Concern for Hans's frail health caused his mother to remain with him in Germany when his grandfather and father were compelled to return to Liberia. He and his mother become part of Hamburg's poor working class, forced to live in a cramped attic apartment without hot water and electricity. But their change in social status was to be only the beginning of their hardships.

For twelve agonizing years following Hitler's rise to power, Hans, like all non-Aryans, was dehumanized and devalued by the Nazis. Living in constant fear of death, by either the Gestapo executioners or Allied bombs, Hans's existence became increasingly precarious until liberation by British troops in 1945.

What sets Hans's story apart from other memoirs of the Holocaust era is that his high visibility made him an easily recognizable target, stranded without the comfort of a racial community of any sort. Destined to Witness is a memoir filled with courage, feeling, and intelligence that will touch readers everywhere.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:
Hans J. Massaquoi emigrated to the United States in the early 1950s. He served in the U.S. Army and then became a journalist for Johnson Publishing, where he was managing editor of Ebony magazine. He was an active participant in the civil rights movement. The father of two sons, Hans lives with his wife, Katherine, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Review:
"A cry against racism, a survivor's tale, a wartime adventure, a coming of age story, and a powerful tribute to a mother's love."-- "New Orleans Times-Picayune"An incredible tale...Exceptional...It is reviving and heartening to learn of this intrepid black child and young man who through a combination of guts, smarts, and a really good mother, manages to waltz through the darkest abyss of the 20th century and come out whistling." --"Chicago Sun Times""His story is truly a fascinating one, and in this absorbing memoir, he tells it with vividness and considerable verve. Written with clarity, directiveness, and sharply evocative detail, Mr. Massaquoi's book offers a unique perspective on a period of organized madness, destruction, turmoil that continues to demand our attention and evade our comprehension." --"Washington Times" (D.C.)"Destined to Witness examines a roller coaster of racism from different cultures and continents. Massaquoi concludes that "true human decency is...simply a matter of the human heart." --"The New York Times Book Review""To say that Hans Massaquoi had it all, is not to say only that he had Black skin, in Germany, where and when White skin and Aryan blood were revered nor to suggest that he lived without money when only money could have saved him and his mother from the degradation of racial hate and deprivation. Massaquoi, indeed, did have it all, keen observation, an important intelligence and a remarkable memory. Here is a story rarely lived and even more rarely told. We need this book for a balanced picture of the Holocaust, which was not only a 'Jewish thing'. Hate is hate, it knows no color, and knows all colors all too well." "To say that Hans Massaquoi hadit all, is not to say only that he had Black skin, in Germany, where and when White skin and Aryan blood were revered nor to suggest that he lived without money when only money could have saved him and his mother from the degradation of racial hate and deprivation. Massaquoi, indeed, did have it all, keen observation, an important intelligence and a remarkable memory. Here is a story rarely lived and even more rarely told. We need this book for a balanced picture of the Holocaust, which was not only a 'Jewish thing'. Hate is hate, it knows no color, and knows all colors all too well." --Maya Angelou"Massaquoi's background and experiences provide incredible context to this personal story of overcoming racism." ?"Booklist""A nuanced, startling memoir... Massaquoi's unique, pathos-filled childhood in extremis is rendered superlatively, as is his portrait of a prewar Germany giddily embarked on its own destruction; he keenly perceives both the nefarious ambiguity and the human tragedy inherent in this civic embrace of evil...Substantiative and memorable." --"Kirkus Reviews" "Filled with courage, feeling, and intelligence...intriguing." --Jet"A unique addition to life under the Third Reich...thoughtful and well written." "Publishers Weekly"?Harrowing.? '"The Miami Herald"?Extraordinary...an entirely engaging story of accomplishment despite adversity.? '"Washington Post Book World"?Riveting and unique...An indispensable addition to writing on the Holocaust era.? '"Emerge"?Moving...an engaging story of a young man's journey through hate, self-enlightenment, intrigue and romance.? '"Ebony"

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherWilliam Morrow
  • Publication date1999
  • ISBN 10 0688171559
  • ISBN 13 9780688171551
  • BindingHardcover
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages464
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780060959616: Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780060959616
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2001
Softcover

  • 9781901250879: Destined to Witness : Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany

    Fusion..., 2001
    Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 31.18
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Front Cover Books
(Denver, CO, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 31.27
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.30
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by Brand: William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
LibraryMercantile
(Humble, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # newMercantile_0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 32.77
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenDragon
(Houston, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 32.82
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 35.66
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Wizard Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 52.15
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
BennettBooksLtd
(LOS ANGELES, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.95. Seller Inventory # Q-0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 59.96
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 5.57
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Massaquoi, Hans
Published by William Morrow (1999)
ISBN 10: 0688171559 ISBN 13: 9780688171551
New Hardcover First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
Pieuler Store
(Suffolk, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: new. 1st. Book is in NEW condition. Satisfaction Guaranteed! Fast Customer Service!!. Seller Inventory # PSN0688171559

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 84.13
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 31.54
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds