I became interested in this book after seeing it referenced in another book I was reading (Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing). I no sooner finished Newjack and I came across a copy of The Diary of Anne Frank on audio cassette.
I have to begin by saying that I can not say enough about Susan Adams narrating this book. A girlish quality in her voice really allowed me get lost in this audio book and make me feel like I really was listening to Anne Frank. Ms. Adams was easy to understand and was an excellent reader.
As strange as it may sound to some people, even though I am highly educated, I had never heard of this book prior to seeing it referenced in another book I was reading. I did some brief research on the book and it seemed like it would be a great and highly unique account of World War 2.
The story is about Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who was living in Amsterdam during Nazi Germany occupation. The story begins at the age of 13, when she is still free to go about her life. She offers some excellent insight on what restrictions the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands had on Jewish people. She then goes on outlining a plan her family has for going into hiding to avoid persecution. Finally comes the day her family goes into hiding. The rest of the book is a vivid description of what life is like constricted to an area that seemed to be about the size of a small town house. Anne Frank gives colorful descriptions of having to live in close quarters with 7 other people, in constant fear of being found, dealing with food shortages, and having to worry about fires, bombs, and other atrocities of war. During all this, Anne is able to go through many of the same things a young teen would go through today, a struggle to find their own identity, love, rebellion against parents, etc.
I have to say the writing in the book is quite astounding. The book works on many levels. It offers a unique historical perspective on what it was like to be of the Jewish faith, hiding from the Nazis. I thought it offers a great psychological perspective on a persons thoughts and actions when under stress a persons will to survive.
The story has a timeless essence to it and will be as meaningful 200 years from now as it is today. The thoughtfulness, eloquence, and meaningfulness of the writing is astounding, especially considering the source was a teenage girl.
I have read enough in my life to know a fine piece of work when I see it. This story is definitely a fine piece of work. However, I have to admit I did not particularly like the story. I did not know what to expect when I began this book, and I have to say I was slightly disappointed. While a great piece of work, this just is not the type of story I would usually read.
If you are interested in a unique perspective on war, this is definitely a book for you. I would also highly recommend this to anyone who has a bomb shelter or might find themselves in a confined area for a long period of time with other people; this book is very insightful and talks about problems and issues I never would have thought of. All in all, this was a great story, it just was not for me.
If you are largely unfamiliar with the story of Anne Frank, I would recommend doing some quick research on her before beginning the book. I was a bit lost in the beginning, but after I spent 15 minutes doing a little research on the history of Anne Frank, things made a lot more sense to me.
I have to begin by saying that I can not say enough about Susan Adams narrating this book. A girlish quality in her voice really allowed me get lost in this audio book and make me feel like I really was listening to Anne Frank. Ms. Adams was easy to understand and was an excellent reader.
As strange as it may sound to some people, even though I am highly educated, I had never heard of this book prior to seeing it referenced in another book I was reading. I did some brief research on the book and it seemed like it would be a great and highly unique account of World War 2.
The story is about Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who was living in Amsterdam during Nazi Germany occupation. The story begins at the age of 13, when she is still free to go about her life. She offers some excellent insight on what restrictions the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands had on Jewish people. She then goes on outlining a plan her family has for going into hiding to avoid persecution. Finally comes the day her family goes into hiding. The rest of the book is a vivid description of what life is like constricted to an area that seemed to be about the size of a small town house. Anne Frank gives colorful descriptions of having to live in close quarters with 7 other people, in constant fear of being found, dealing with food shortages, and having to worry about fires, bombs, and other atrocities of war. During all this, Anne is able to go through many of the same things a young teen would go through today, a struggle to find their own identity, love, rebellion against parents, etc.
I have to say the writing in the book is quite astounding. The book works on many levels. It offers a unique historical perspective on what it was like to be of the Jewish faith, hiding from the Nazis. I thought it offers a great psychological perspective on a persons thoughts and actions when under stress a persons will to survive.
The story has a timeless essence to it and will be as meaningful 200 years from now as it is today. The thoughtfulness, eloquence, and meaningfulness of the writing is astounding, especially considering the source was a teenage girl.
I have read enough in my life to know a fine piece of work when I see it. This story is definitely a fine piece of work. However, I have to admit I did not particularly like the story. I did not know what to expect when I began this book, and I have to say I was slightly disappointed. While a great piece of work, this just is not the type of story I would usually read.
If you are interested in a unique perspective on war, this is definitely a book for you. I would also highly recommend this to anyone who has a bomb shelter or might find themselves in a confined area for a long period of time with other people; this book is very insightful and talks about problems and issues I never would have thought of. All in all, this was a great story, it just was not for me.
If you are largely unfamiliar with the story of Anne Frank, I would recommend doing some quick research on her before beginning the book. I was a bit lost in the beginning, but after I spent 15 minutes doing a little research on the history of Anne Frank, things made a lot more sense to me.
