Escape and Return : Memories of Nazi Germany

by Fritz Ottenheimer

In the course of gripping anecdotes, the author describes his life as a Jewish boy in Nazi Germany, as a young immigrant in the Bronx, as a G.I. fighting against his former fatherland, and as a perceptive visitor in post-war Germany.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Holocaust

167 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[John]

Very interesting autobiography of a young Jewish German boy who lived through the early days of the Hitler's third Reich culminating in the Kristallnacht event when the Constance synagogue was burned down--the very place Fritz had completed his Bar Mitzvah a few months before. After immigrating to the US, Fritz completes high school and becomes an American soldier in 1944 returning to Germany in the months before VE day. He never forgot where he was from and sought to find answers to the deep questions of life. Why did you let this happen, God? How could it happen? The Holocaust was real and deeply personal to the author.

[Gina]

11/17/2017: A few months ago, I attended Fritz's memorial service in Pittsburgh, PA. My aunt married Goldie's brother; Goldie is Fritz's widow. I knew that he had survived the Holocaust, but I did not know the entire story. This book is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting. Amidst the evil of this era, there were a number of people who risked their own lives to ensure the safety of others.

[Dan]

Had the pleasure of meeting the author during a talk at the University of Pittsburgh. He signed the book for me. The stories are haunting and well written. I am sorry to learn of his passing.

[Hilarie]

I met the author when I took a U.S. and the holocaust course at Pitt. Will never forget the stories he shared with the class.