Eve Haas is the daughter of a German Jewish family that took
refuge in London
after Hitler came to power. Following a terrifying air raid in the blitz, her
father revealed the family secret, that her great-great grandmother Emilie was
married to a Prussian prince. He then showed her the treasured leather-bound
notebook inscribed to Emilie by the prince. Her parents were reluctant to learn
more, but later in life, when Eve was married and inherited the diary, she
became obsessed with proving this birthright.
As an adult, Eve and her husband seek to unlock the mysteries of the notebook. All the experts tell Eve that no information has survived about her Prussian prince. However, if anything still does exist, it is behind the Iron Curtain - the same area from which both she and her husband fled many years before.
Eve and her husband, along with a grown son, do the unimaginable; they travel to East Germany from which, if they are arrested, no one will be able to help them. For some reason, the records are opened to them, and the Eve is excited by the discoveries. But, did the Communist Germans have an alternative reason for opening the files for Eve? And, will Eve be able to uncover the true story of her royal ancestor and his beloved Emilie?
Eve's story was fascinating as both a memoir and as a series of exciting genealogical discoveries. Throughout the book, Eve expresses her excitement and enthusiasm about documents she is allowed to view - documents which had been hidden for 150 years. Within these documents, the stories of "her" Prince and Emilie emerge.
In an earlier post, I reviewed four other books I think most genealogists would enjoy. Do you know of other, non-method books that genealogists would enjoy? I'd love to hear about them! Please leave a comment or email me at drleeds@sbcglobal.net.
This sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for recommending it!
ReplyDeleteIt was fascinating. Let me know if you read it. I'd love to know how your thoughts!
DeleteDefinitely my kind of book! After I finish a few others, this will be next in line. Thanks, Dana!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, it was a great book! I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteSounds good - I'm putting it on my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it!
DeleteI just found your site while searching for a review of this title. I just finished reading it. The story was amazing--though the telling was a bit drab, while I simultaneously felt that the author seemed a little too quick to romanticize her subjects.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd mention another genealogical memoir for your list: "American Ghost" by Hannah Nordhaus. Her ancestors were Jewish immigrants from Germany who settled in New Mexico. It's a fascinating book.
I'm glad you enjoyed the book, too, and I will check out "American Ghost." Thanks!
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