I Will Bear Witness 1933-1941: A Diary of the Nazi Years

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The publication of Victor Klemperer's secret diaries reveals an extraordinary account of daily life during the Nazi period. Described as the best-written and most evocative record of the Third Reich, it combines literary merit with a stark portrayal of the horrors of the era. A Dresden Jew and World War I veteran, Klemperer recognized the dangers posed by Hitler as early as 1933. His clandestine diaries vividly document the experiences of everyday life under Nazi rule, focusing on the thoughts and actions of ordinary Germans, such as the greengrocer and the fishmonger, who share their perspectives on the war's progress. Klemperer, a brilliant historian, struggles to complete his work on eighteenth-century France while witnessing the tightening grip of the regime. He faces the loss of his professorship, his possessions, and ultimately his home, forced into a Jews' House—the last step before the camps. Despite the risks of keeping a diary, he feels compelled to record the unfolding events, stating, "This is my heroics. I want to bear witness, precise witness, until the very end." Klemperer emphasizes the significance of documenting the everyday life of tyranny, asserting that "a thousand mosquito bites are worse than a blow on the head." This volume covers the years from 1933 to 1941, with a second volume planned for 1999.