The Fall of the Empire - Memoirs of Hitler's Female Secretary

Author: (German) Jung, (German) Müller, translated by Chen Wan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features: The film adapted from this book, The Fall of the Empire, is a grand German masterpiece reflecting on World War II in 2004. It was nominated for the 77th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2005 and screened at the 8th Shanghai International Film Festival in 2005. People realize that war is not just a struggle between giants and demons, but how do those ordinary people, those who lived in the war zones during the war, view their roles in the war? For 60 years, they have also been reflecting. Dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the victory of the World War II against Fascism. "I let go, only letting guilt, pain, and sorrow devour me. Suddenly, as a witness, I became the center of attention, which subjected me to even harsher self-examination. Because in those interviews, no one ever asked me if I felt guilty; they only discussed historical facts. The guilt weighing on me grew heavier, urging me to reflect constantly. Today, I feel deeply guilty about two things: the fate of millions of people who died at the hands of the Nazis; and for Traudel, a young girl who lacked confidence and failed to say 'no' at a critical moment." – Traudel Jung The book is neither a late self-defense nor an admission of guilt. I do not intend to live a life of repentance for it. Rather, it is an attempt at reconciliation, not with the world outside, but with myself. It does not seek forgiveness but only helps with understanding. For two and a half years, I was Hitler's secretary. It is easy to imagine that my life has been turbulent ever since. From 1947 to 1948, my memories were still vivid, and I wrote about the days I was closely associated with Adolf Hitler. In those years, "we all" looked forward, as companions were purged and driven out—the movement unexpectedly succeeded. Back then, when I took up writing, I had to remain serious, whether it was the main theme or small anecdotes, to firmly hold onto them, so that one day, those details that might still be useful would not scatter with the wind or be buried in the graveyard of oblivion. The narrator in the book is sometimes young Jung and sometimes old Jung. Young Jung transformed her increasingly intense curiosity about the supposed inner workings of the Nazi regime into a published diary, attempting to defend herself, as if young Jung had already died. Old Jung, however, no longer wants to play the role of a moralist. She just hopes to reflect even deeper, rather than, as she once intended, to remain superficial: a gentleman's appearance is too easily deceptive, so insight is always necessary. One should follow the voice of conscience. Guilt and repentance do not require much courage. People always have to pay the price while improving themselves.