Hans's Story

<I>Hans's Story</i> treats us to a child's view of how Nazi anti-Semitism gradually destroys his long-established family's existence his teenage problems with emigration his life in a school for refugees in England and to his eventual arrival in New York penniless with only menial jobs to help support areunited family. When War comes he volunteers. His early experiences as anenemy alien in the U.S. Army are odd and often amusing. Though (absurdly) Army-trained as an Arabic expert he still manages to emerge with a direct commission as a German speaking Intelligence officer. As such he lands behind German lines in Holland with the 82nd Airborne Division experiences the Battle of the Bulge the advance through northern Germany has encounters with the Russians and assists in the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp. He is one of the first American officers in Russian conquered Berlin. Finally his life comes full-circle as the ex-refugee takes charge of denazification in Bavaria there beginning married life with the girl he first met in his English school. The decorated Army Captain's acceptance by Harvard Law School crowns the end of this phase of his life.