We Were Each Other's Prisoners: An Oral History of World War II American and German Prisoners of War
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Book Overview
During the Second World War, Germany captured nearly 94,000 American soldiers, while the Allies shipped almost 380,000 Germans to the United States. We Were Each Other's Prisoners compares, for the first time ever, stories of POWs from both sides of the conflict: From the anti-Nazi German soldier who tried desperately to turn himself in rather than fight for Hitler, to the U.S. prisoner who thrice escaped his German captors--the last time to join Russian troops in the Battle of Berlin, to the Jewish-American prisoner who was sent to a slave labor camp.Culled from more than 150 interviews with 35 American and German surviving POWs, the book addresses larger political and psychological issues:* What does it mean to be a prisoner, especially for men whose cultures prize individual heroism?* Why did conditions differ so dramatically in American and German camps? How were these men received upon their return to their homeland?* How have they coped with the long-term effects of incarceration?
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0465091237
ISBN13:9780465091232
Release Date:June 1998
Publisher:Basic Books
Length:304 Pages
Weight:0.98 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
Carlson fills the void
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I found the book a great comparison of the variety of conditions in which POWs found themselves. While no two POW had the same experience treatment and conditions did vary greatly. I've sent this book on to a few Ex-POW's because it provides context they may not be aware of, Like Airborne veterans captured without firing a shot. Not everyone lived like Hogan's Heroes or The Great Escape. The book has a solid spot in my WW-II collection.
Untitled
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Most people are not aware of the thousands of German, Italian and Japanese prisoners in camps across the United States during the Second World War. Like many other issues, guarding and tending POWs was a flawed system, but it was much better than in other countries at least, considering the U.S. had little or no experience with the matter. We were re-inventing ourselves.
A well-written, easy to follow work.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
Mr. Carlson did a wonderful job capturing the hardships encountered by the POWs. It was one of those works that was hard to put down. I am a thirty-two-year-old community college professor in New England and have just published my first book. I am currently beginning my own oral history project and would love Professor Carlson's advise. I would be grateful if he sent me an e-mail at the address below. Dr. Victor Triay
A Great Tribute to My Grandfather
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
Carlson is a very nice fellow, and his book is a nice tribute to my granfather, Clifford Fox, who is featured in the book. Thanks to all.
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