I’ve just come home from attending a 90 minute conversation with Philippe Sands at the Bozar venue in Brussels, about his book The Ratline. I’ve spent the last hour watching this conversation, and I must say, what a wonderful, interesting, intelligent and involved person he is!
Philippe Sands and Stephen Fry I can't thank you enough. You are both inspirational and informative and such a treat to listen to you both. You make me grateful to be alive. Looking forward to reading Ratline. Thank you!
I’d love to see you both discuss Stephen’s recent film - this multi universe of exploring/ history and life bringing us all along - so grateful for this energy
'Are you in bed are you lying down!', perhaps the best start to any youtube video I've yet watched. And the book? Already bought it and will pick it up this Saturday to start 2025 in the best if somber fashion.
Thank you very much for posting I found this conversation very enlightening and thought provoking. It also answered a few of my questions. I followed the series Rat lines on BBC world service. Thank you for introducing us to Mr Phillip Sands. I've just bought Unholy Trinity by Martin Aarons and John Loftus.
Speaking on the effect of this period on the children of Nazis accused or implicated in atrocities there is also the effect on ordinary German children learning of what happened. A German born friend of mine born in the early 50's was together with her class at school shown a Documentary film about Allied forces first entering Dachau and what they witnessed. She was about 13 at the time and can't recall any serious preparation by her teacher[s] for watching this horror film. At that tender age she went into a form of shock and found it hard to function for a full year but vowed that she would never marry and bring German children into this World. She reneged on the former after moving to the other side of the World in her 20's but 'stood by' the second.
I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to be born, grow up and live one’s full life as a German born right after WWII. For my,own part, as a Jew born in 1967, the trauma experienced by my parents’ generation has been transmitted to me and my generation. It has been, still is, and will continue to be a defining element in my own identity. Not by any means the only element, maybe not the main defining element, but absolutely one of the defining ones. However, in my case, it’s the position of victim, of the one against whom something horrifying was perpetrated. In the case of your acquaintance, it’s exactly the opposite. The transmitted trauma is one of being a perpetrator. Your parents’ generation perpetrated the single most horrific act in recorded human history. How does one deal with that legacy, which is inscribed in one’s flesh, blood, genes?
@@hexistenz Thanks for the feedback. Having lived in Israel for almost 50 years and coming in close contact with a few Survivors and some of their descendants I can vouch for all you wrote. As the Shoah is such a big part of the Israeli reality it has been a major aspect of the forging of a new people and Nation. 'Never again' is such a powerful statement here...not a wish.
Listening to Stephen Fry's voice is like getting a warm hug
I’ve just come home from attending a 90 minute conversation with Philippe Sands at the Bozar venue in Brussels, about his book The Ratline. I’ve spent the last hour watching this conversation, and I must say, what a wonderful, interesting, intelligent and involved person he is!
Philippe Sands and Stephen Fry I can't thank you enough. You are both inspirational and informative and such a treat to listen to you both. You make me grateful to be alive. Looking forward to reading Ratline. Thank you!
Magnificent people and work, love this. Immense humanity
I’d love to see you both discuss Stephen’s recent film - this multi universe of exploring/ history and life bringing us all along - so grateful for this energy
'Are you in bed are you lying down!', perhaps the best start to any youtube video I've yet watched. And the book? Already bought it and will pick it up this Saturday to start 2025 in the best if somber fashion.
These two guys are so much fun!
Just bought this book, TY for this fascinating conversation👏
Thank you very much for posting I found this conversation very enlightening and thought provoking. It also answered a few of my questions. I followed the series Rat lines on BBC world service. Thank you for introducing us to Mr Phillip Sands. I've just bought Unholy Trinity by Martin Aarons and John Loftus.
Fascinating and most interesting
Speaking on the effect of this period on the children of Nazis accused or implicated in atrocities there is also the effect on ordinary German children learning of what happened.
A German born friend of mine born in the early 50's was together with her class at school shown a Documentary film about Allied forces first entering Dachau and what they witnessed.
She was about 13 at the time and can't recall any serious preparation by her teacher[s] for watching this horror film.
At that tender age she went into a form of shock and found it hard to function for a full year but vowed that she would never marry and bring German children into this World.
She reneged on the former after moving to the other side of the World in her 20's but 'stood by' the second.
I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to be born, grow up and live one’s full life as a German born right after WWII.
For my,own part, as a Jew born in 1967, the trauma experienced by my parents’ generation has been transmitted to me and my generation. It has been, still is, and will continue to be a defining element in my own identity. Not by any means the only element, maybe not the main defining element, but absolutely one of the defining ones.
However, in my case, it’s the position of victim, of the one against whom something horrifying was perpetrated.
In the case of your acquaintance, it’s exactly the opposite. The transmitted trauma is one of being a perpetrator. Your parents’ generation perpetrated the single most horrific act in recorded human history. How does one deal with that legacy, which is inscribed in one’s flesh, blood, genes?
@@hexistenz Thanks for the feedback.
Having lived in Israel for almost 50 years and coming in close contact with a few Survivors and some of their descendants I can vouch for all you wrote.
As the Shoah is such a big part of the Israeli reality it has been a major aspect of the forging of a new people and Nation.
'Never again' is such a powerful statement here...not a wish.
I love my beloved national treasure Stephen fry my companion friend 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
The superb corresponding BBC Radio Series is available here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000cn22