In this illuminating and deeply moving memoir, a former American military intelligence officer goes beyond traditional Cold War espionage tales to tell the true story of her family—of five women separated by the Iron Curtain for more than forty years, and their miraculous reunion after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Forty Autumns makes visceral the pain and longing of one family forced to live … and longing of one family forced to live apart in a world divided by two. At twenty, Hanna escaped from East to West Germany. But the price of freedom—leaving behind her parents, eight siblings, and family home—was heartbreaking. Uprooted, Hanna eventually moved to America, where she settled down with her husband and had children of her own.
Growing up near Washington, D.C., Hanna’s daughter, Nina Willner became the first female Army Intelligence Officer to lead sensitive intelligence operations in East Berlin at the height of the Cold War. Though only a few miles separated American Nina and her German relatives—grandmother Oma, Aunt Heidi, and cousin, Cordula, a member of the East German Olympic training team—a bitter political war kept them apart.
In Forty Autumns, Nina recounts her family’s story—five ordinary lives buffeted by circumstances beyond their control. She takes us deep into the tumultuous and terrifying world of East Germany under Communist rule, revealing both the cruel reality her relatives endured and her own experiences as an intelligence officer, running secret operations behind the Berlin Wall that put her life at risk.
A personal look at a tenuous era that divided a city and a nation, and continues to haunt us, Forty Autumns is an intimate and beautifully written story of courage, resilience, and love—of five women whose spirits could not be broken, and who fought to preserve what matters most: family.
Forty Autumns is illustrated with dozens of black-and-white and color photographs.
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This book gives an interesting perspective of a very terrible time in history. Definitely worth reading!
Forty Autumns: A Family’s Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall by Nina Willner is an engrossing account of one family’s struggle against the totalitarian regime that walled in its citizens, separating families and denying basic freedoms.
A memoir, Forty Autumns spans 40 years of Germany’s separation into West and East. The story centers around the Willners, but also delves into the politics of the time and the tragic effect the Iron Curtain had on the personal lives of those trapped behind the wall. The memoir also shows the hardship between families who were denied access to their loved ones across the boarder.
The Willners, living in what became East Germany, worked hard for their large family. Hanna’s father was a teacher and when in 1945 Germany was divided into East and West, he was forced to teach Soviet doctrine. Many of the dictates bothered him, but to provide for and protect his family, he had no choice. Hanna, the eldest daughter, chafed at the restrictions of Soviet rule and was determined to escape to West Germany to live life as a free person.
It’s shocking to learn how strong, energetic people could be denied their basic rights by having food confiscated, occupations changed, rigid curfews imposed, churches closed, and children encouraged to spy and report transgressions about their own families. Those resisting the harsh rule could be imprisoned, tortured, or shot. Fear ruled the land.
Forty Autumns is a well-told, but shocking story of one family’s struggle to reunite. I was only vaguely aware of the realities of East Germany and how its citizens were robbed of their resources. This book brings history to life.
Great read depicting the experience of some Germans with the transition from WW II into East and West Germany exposing the oppressive GDR regime and its political control over their populace.
I wish people that are being drawn into the socialist ideals would read this. It’s so sad but really uplifting in the end. I really cared about these people
I really enjoyed this book!! It’s based on a real family separated by the iron curtain . Their positive loving ways in such trying times for decades , is inspirational .
Loved reading about the contrasting parallel lives on each side of the wall. Neat family memoir.
Realistic picture of life on both sides of the Berlin Wall for a family divided
Interesting insight into the life of East Germans after WWII. The reader can’t help but appreciate the author and her family in their battle against communist rule.
It’s a good story about a family from East & West Germany after WW2
Interesting and entertaining. I learned much about life behind the iron curtain.
Very informative about the Berlin Wall through the eyes of a family affected by it. Forty years that wall existed. Crazy.
I would give this book 6 stars if I could. The author draws one into the story of her family’s trials during WWII and the Cold War. Not only does she tell a story, but she teaches history that one does not learn in school. The events in the book were current events in my lifetime, but I was totally unaware of the human aspect and impact of the events on he East German people.
I could not put this book down.
Made one realize what the people went through in World War 2. Thankful for our freedom.
This is an amazing story of a family that never have up hope they would again be reunited. A cautionary tale of how politics can keep families apart. Highly recommended!
This is a story too many times reinacted in our world today. Why oh why must there be individuals and governments that tread on people’s lives. It happens in America also—too many critics and would be judges. Our immigration system is chilling.
I loved this book because it was a true and factual accounting of life behind the Iron Curtain, told by the people who lived it. A heartbreaking story of a family caught up in the Cold War after WWII and the brave decisions they made for their family. It was enlightening to be reminded of all the freedoms we take for granted and hear about the struggles of the people who lived in East Germany during this time in history. I highly recommend this book.
Beautifully descriptive.
A personal story from both sides of the Berlin Wall over 40 years. More telling than any history book
As an American who lived and loved Germany in the late 50’s this book is right on. If only people would wake up and see that this could happen again…here is usa. Am recommending it to many young people.