The Harvard Club of Berlin

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On June 14, 1912, the Harvard Club of Berlin joined the Associated Harvard Clubs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This book reflects on a century of club life, showcasing personal stories of Berlin-based Harvard alumni and illustrating how political events in the 20th and early 21st centuries shaped the club's activities. The impact of two world wars, the city's division, and its reunification post-1989 significantly influenced the lives of alumni. Notable accounts include Dr. Ernst ('Putzi') Hanfstaengel's journey from Adolf Hitler's inner circle to the White House of his Harvard classmate Theodore Roosevelt, and Stephen Wechsler's escape from the US Army during the McCarthy era to Eastern Germany, where he assumed the name Victor Grossman. The book emphasizes the profound influence of Harvard on German alumni and details the club's contributions as a non-profit organization to civil society in Germany. Authored by journalist Simone Schelk and board members Inken Wiese, Christian Köhler-Ma, and Dr. Tobias Pusch, the book highlights their diverse backgrounds in research, law, and business. Today, the Harvard University Alumni Club of Berlin e.V. promotes academic education and international understanding, awarding scholarships to talented German students for studies at Harvard.