This book focuses on one of the most visible and important consequences of total defeat in postwar Germany: the return to East and West Germany of the two million German soldiers and POWs who spent an extended period in Soviet captivity. These former prisoners made up a unique segment of German society. They were both soldiers in the war of racial annihilation on the Eastern front and then suffered extensive hardship and deprivation themselves as prisoners of war. The book examines the lingering consequences of the soldiers' return and explores returnees' own responses to a radically changed and divided homeland.
Historian Frank Biess traces the origins of the postwar period to the last years of the war, when ordinary Germans began to face the prospect of impending defeat. He then demonstrates parallel East and West German efforts to overcome the German loss by transforming returning POWs into ideal post-totalitarian or antifascist citizens. By exploring returnees' troubled adjustment to the more private spheres of the workplace and the family, the book stresses the limitations of these East and West German attempts to move beyond the war.
Based on a wide array of primary and secondary sources, Homecomings combines the political history of reconstruction with the social history of returnees and the cultural history of war memories and gender identities. It unearths important structural and functional similarities between German postwar societies, which remained infused with the aftereffects of unprecedented violence, loss, and mass death long after the war was over.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"A thoughtful, well-researched, and important new book that will complement the best scholarship on postwar Germany and Europe."--Eric Weitz, University of Minnesota
"Homecomings expertly intertwines high political history, history of civil society, cultural histories of representations, and the social history of everyday life. A significant contribution to the field. A must-read."--Elizabeth Heineman, University of Iowa
Frank Biess is Assistant Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
FREE shipping within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speedsSeller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP95010487
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 5894631-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Zoom Books East, Glendale Heights, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: very_good. Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include "From the library of" labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys, dvds, etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Seller Inventory # ZEV.0691125023.VG
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Time Tested Books, Sacramento, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. First edition. Date line beginning with 1. Fine, if not new hardback in fine, if not new unpriced, unclipped dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 104468
Quantity: 1 available