Alison Owings Boeken

What were the women of Germany doing during the Third Reich? What were they thinking? A half-century later, their voices emerge in this compelling narrative. Alison Owings interviewed twenty-nine German women, capturing their diverse experiences: working for the Resistance, joining the Nazi Party, outsmarting the Gestapo, harboring Jewish friends, and witnessing pivotal events like "Kristallnacht" and the firebombing of Dresden. These women share their emotions—enthusiasm, doubt, fear, guilt, and anguish—reflecting on their actions and the choices of those around them. Owings was invited into their homes, where her fluency in colloquial German and her non-Jewish, non-German background fostered trust, allowing these women to unlock their pasts. Their revelations may surprise American readers, just as they surprised the women themselves. This intimate exploration of "the enemy" offers a unique perspective on those who lived under a regime, highlighting the impact of policies on everyday lives. The interviews challenge us to reconsider our own potential actions in similar circumstances, steering clear of easy answers and prompting deeper reflection on morality and complicity.

Del Seymour's journey from 18 years of homelessness and addiction to becoming a respected advocate in San Francisco is at the heart of this powerful narrative. The book delves into his transformation, detailing how he founded Tenderloin Walking Tours and Code Tenderloin, an organization dedicated to helping marginalized individuals find employment. Through personal stories of those around him, including family, friends, and community members, it explores the challenges of homelessness and the efforts to bridge the gap in a city marked by stark inequalities.