Uncle Wilhelm: Or a Short History of Germany (1870-1989)

Wilhelm S. was born on 28 June 1914 in German West Africa. He grew up in Potsdam, the old imperial residence city, until he was called up for military service in 1938. He served in the special commando unit of the famous Admiral Canaris. In 1945 his life began as pastor of a church community on the border between West Berlin and East Germany.
The life story of the German Wilhelm is the common thread running through this short history of the German nation state. A fascinating and detailed look at Germany's turbulent past. From its foundation in 1870 to German reunification in 1989. A dramatic and turbulent period, in which Germany rose to become a world power with extraordinary speed, but also lost two world wars and brought extreme suffering to Europe and the world.
Giovanni Peirs shows how hesitant and uncertain the formation of the German nation is and how the country continues to struggle with its identity. Based on a very personal biography of a privileged witness of recent German history. An idiosyncratic and extremely interesting view of the life of 'ordinary' Germans in an in many ways absurd era.
GIOVANNI PEIRS was director of the Belgian brick federation until 2002. He published several columns on social issues, politics and construction. Davidsfonds Uitgeverij previously published Het Onvermogen, a family chronicle of his German in-laws.