“This book is kind, honest, incredibly well-written, and important, a testament to humanity and courage.” - LitHub moving account of one family’s life under tyranny… Willner’s sensitive and well-written account causes us to reflect on what is really important to us and how we would react in a similar situation.” - BookPage A poignant and engrossing, occasionally harrowing, family memoir.” - Kirkus Reviews It also celebrates the enduring resilience of the human spirit. Thoughtful and informative, Willner’s book not only offers a personal view of the traumatic effects of German partition.

A thrilling and relevant read for historians and casual readers alike.” - Publishers Weekly Her interrogative and unabashed voice explores the painful intersection of national duty and familial responsibilities…. “Willner’s epic memoir traverses three generations of mothers, recounting the tragedy, estrangement, and overwhelming courage of a family torn apart…. “An excellent and intriguing account of the impact of the Cold War on families and their lives on either side of the Berlin Wall.” - Library Journal (starred review)

The timeline at the start of the book connects the familys story to the broader Cold War, and the book clearly delineates major world eventsmaking Forty Autumns a useful supplement as students learn about American and European history from World War II to the present. It provides an accessible and readable way to teach students about the events of the Cold War, as well as the human cost of the oppressive regime in East Germany. Students often believe that spies, subterfuge, and secret missions are the inventions of Hollywood films and popular novels, making it difficult for educators to convey the real threats, fears, and casualties of the time from 1945-1991.įorty Autumns captures the experience of the Cold War in East Germany and the United States, told through the eyes of one family.

It is easy for them to see the Cold War as an example of American fear and even paranoia. To students today, the Cold War is a distant memory, as the fall of the USSR occurred in 1991, before most college students were born.

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