Ian Buruma's "Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945"

Ian Buruma's new book, "Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945," provides an account of individual experiences and daily life in Berlin during World War II. The book, drawing on diaries, memoirs, and interviews, chronicles the period from Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 to the city's destruction and the arrival of Soviet forces in 1945. It explores themes of moral compromise within an oppressive system and the human tendency toward adaptation and compliance.

Book's Scope and Inspiration

The book's premise is inspired by Buruma's Dutch father, Leo, who was subjected to forced factory labor in Berlin during the war. Buruma's research aimed to reconstruct the experiences of Berliners during this era, noting the challenges posed by the scarcity of records from ordinary Germans, many of whom maintained a low profile for survival. The narrative covers daily life amidst air raid drills and food shortages.

Buruma's research faced challenges due to the scarcity of records from ordinary Germans, many of whom maintained a low profile for survival during the war.

Diverse Individual Experiences

"Stay Alive" features the accounts of various individuals, offering different perspectives on life under Nazi rule:

Coco Schumann: A Jewish guitarist who performed jazz, a musical genre deemed "degenerate" by the Nazi regime.
Lilo: A 15-year-old whose initial support for Nazi ideals evolved into admiration for those who resisted Adolf Hitler.
Helmuth von Moltke: A conservative intelligence officer who engaged in internal resistance against the Nazis and was subsequently executed. He reflected on an increasing tolerance for others' suffering.
Erich Alenfeld: A Jewish convert to Christianity who sought to serve Germany and remained a German patriot.
Joseph Goebbels: The propaganda minister, whose actions significantly influenced daily life in Berlin. His role included generating propaganda, producing film spectacles, monitoring city morale, and issuing decrees such as the requirement for Jews to wear the yellow star and regulations on activities like dancing.

Specific Accounts and Anecdotes

The book includes specific details that illustrate the conditions of the time:

A family reportedly trained a parrot to say "Heil, Hitler" as a means of deceiving Nazi authorities.
Filmmakers are noted to have feigned production, shooting movies without film, to avoid conscription.
Jewish villas located in Grunewald were seized by the Nazis, with some later acquired by Russian oligarchs.
Individuals who evaded Nazi authorities were referred to as "U-boats" for hiding in the city's underworld, including brothels.

Author's Central Themes

Buruma presents two primary observations regarding life under an authoritarian system:

Corrupting Influence of Oppression: The book suggests that living within an oppressive system could lead to moral compromise. Individuals, including symphony conductors and police officers, were often compelled to act against their personal beliefs, thereby affecting their moral integrity.
Adaptation and Compliance: Buruma notes the ease with which many people adapted and complied with the regime. Most Berliners, including Buruma's father, maintained their daily routines and often chose to disregard injustices occurring around them. This is presented as a demonstration of human adaptability and a tendency to turn away from unwelcome realities.

Buruma's central observations highlight both the moral compromises compelled by an oppressive system and the widespread human tendency towards adaptation and compliance.

Acts of Resistance

The book highlights instances of active resistance, notably through the actions of journalist Ruth Andreas-Friedrich and her partner, conductor Leo Borchard. They led a group known as "Uncle Emil," which worked to protect Jews, facilitate escapes, and support anti-Nazi efforts. The book acknowledges their actions while maintaining a non-judgmental stance toward individuals who did not actively resist the dictatorship, often due to fear.