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Summary: A perfect companion for The Diary of a Young Girl
Review: Many young women still remember the first time they -- we -- read The Diary of A Young Girl, even decades later. Anne Frank's diary is an honest look at a growing teen and her views of W.W.II as it affected her and her family.The Biography is the perfect companion to The Diary Of A Young Girl because it shows more trauma history than a teenaged girl would have noticed. It deeply delves into Anne's past -- the family tree alone is priceless. There is new insight on Edith. Of equal importance is the look at Anne and Margot's surviving friends. When a child dies, it doesn't matter if he or she is rich or poor, plain or a princess. What matters is that history has been altered because the child won't get a chance to make a difference. Millions of people -- six million Jews, Gypsies, gays, people of all religions, and soldiers and other innocent victims -- died in World War II. In the grand scheme of things, none is more or less important than another. Anne Frank, unlike most murdered children, has been immortalized by her writing. The world made her into a heroine for surviving two years more than many others. The reason that she should be considered a heroine is that she brought forth a truth that might otherwise have been hidden. This truth is more evident when partnered with Anne Frank: The Biography by Melissa Mueller.
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Summary: A Valuable addition to our knowledge of Anne Frank
Review: Melissa Mueller states at the beginning of this book that she does not intend for this volume to be a replacement for the diary, but rather an adjunct to it. This goal has been acheived admirably through extensive interviews and research, giving insights in not only Anne's life before and after her experiences in hiding, but also shedding light on the various family members and people involved. One thing Mueller accomplishes, which may well be worth the price of the book alone, is to paint a more accurate picture of two of the most maligned figures in Anne's diary: Edith Frank and Fritz Pfeffer (Albert Dussel in Anne's pseudonym). Especially moving are descriptions of Edith's tenacity in keeping her daughters with her at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and a letter written by Pfeffer to his fiancee, Charlotte. One would wish Mueller had been able to do the same for the van Pels family (the van Daans in the diary), but perhaps the information available was simply too scant. For anyone who cherishes the diary and legacy of Anne Frank, this book will be a welcome addition to the body of work this remarkable child has inspired.
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Summary: Absorbing account of Anne's short life
Review: Melissa Muller has written an absorbing, probing, sincere account of the life of Anne Frank. She provides a historical background that proves fascinating, from the backgrounds of Anne's parents, grandparents and extended family, to the political climates in Germany and Holland before and during World War II. This worthy biography depicts with subdued insight the Frank family's relationships. I was particularly touched while reading about the Franks' love and concern for their two daughters, and by the inclusion of several letters from the Franks to extended family members, particularly those exchanged between Otto Frank and his mother. Throughout the book, Muller's interest in the subject matter is evident and her unsensational interpretation of events rings true. The translation is flawless and the text is woven together seamlessly. All in all, this biography triumphs as one of the most well-written biographies I have read. I agree with Miep Gies' statement at the end of the book: Anne's life does not, as some writers and historians have suggested, symbolize the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust, because her life was hers alone. Millions of individual lives were tragically and cruelly ended. After reading this book, I feel privileged to have had a poignant glimpse into one of these lives.
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Summary: Absorbing account of Anne's short life
Review: Melissa Muller has written an absorbing, probing, sincere account of the life of Anne Frank. She provides a historical background that proves fascinating, from the backgrounds of Anne's parents, grandparents and extended family, to the political climates in Germany and Holland before and during World War II. This worthy biography depicts with subdued insight the Frank family's relationships. I was particularly touched while reading about the Franks' love and concern for their two daughters, and by the inclusion of several letters from the Franks to extended family members, particularly those exchanged between Otto Frank and his mother. Throughout the book, Muller's interest in the subject matter is evident and her unsensational interpretation of events rings true. The translation is flawless and the text is woven together seamlessly. All in all, this biography triumphs as one of the most well-written biographies I have read. I agree with Miep Gies' statement at the end of the book: Anne's life does not, as some writers and historians have suggested, symbolize the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust, because her life was hers alone. Millions of individual lives were tragically and cruelly ended. After reading this book, I feel privileged to have had a poignant glimpse into one of these lives.
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Summary: Everyone is remembered
Review: Not only did Muller do a wonderful job giving more information about Anne and her personality, she gave the reader clearer pictures about the other people who also had to live through this terrible time with Anne. Anne's diary definatly made a picture of her life's happenings and Muller these times color. This biography sheds more light on Anne's spectacular personality, not only with excerpts from the diary, but from her friends and family. This book is to remember Anne but it also puts more insight into the characters we have read about in her diary... they no more are just names but true people that Muller has learned a great deal about. This is a great finishing book for anyone that has been moved by the diary of Anne Frank.
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Summary: An Interesting and Fantastic, well written biography.
Review: Personally I am an Anne Frank fan! I own a load of books about her, and read almost all of them. Recently while digging through my collection, I decided to loose myself in this absolutely beautiful biography by Milissa Muller. If you are an Ann Frank fan, or just a learner of the Holocaust, I strongly recomend this title. This is an overall well written book, fasinating and true!
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Summary: I wish I had written it!
Review: Super, super book. Gives a whole picture of Anne's life-and before and after. A must read for anyone interested in Anne.
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Summary: Moved me to tears!
Review: The best biography yet written of Anne Frank (excepting, of course, the diary). Anne can be seen as just a person rather than the icon that some would make her out to be. I cried as I read the part where Mr. Frank learned of his wife's and daughters' deaths. Most especially moving was the part that speculated on Karl Silberbauer's doubts during the arrest. Mazel tov, Ms. Muller!
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Summary: Sure To Be A Valuable Volume
Review: This book on Anne Frank,among other things,helps to disclose the identity of the betrayer of the Secret Annexe,and it is very good proof indeed. One of the new suspects is now Lena Hartog,a cleaning woman who occasionally worked at the building during the war. Sources indicate that she occasionally asked if the building was housing Jews,as she was frightened of Nazi arrest. Still more sources say that it was a woman's voice that tipped off the Gestapo about the Secret Annexe. Lena Hartog died shortly before the case was reopened. It is a very intriguing premise that Melissa Muller approaches here,both telling the story of Anne and her history,and telling of the events after as well,with Meyer Levin and Hannah Pick-Goslar mentioned. Truly absorbing.
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Summary: The heart still aches for her and her family...
Review: This is one of the most poignant biographies that I have ever read. As with most teenagers in the late 60's and in the 70's, Anne's diary was required reading in our highschool. I remember reading it, but not paying the attention I should have, because as a teenager, her story seemed to be a part of a world that no longer existed. Teenagers cannot appreciate the reality of that time, and though I grew up during the angst of the civil rights era and the Vietnamese War, it was not until some other life happenings occurred that I can now appreciate her story. This includes becoming a mother and an activist for disability rights, and seeing for myself in small and distant ways, man's inhumanity to man. Muller did an exquisite job in the biography. She avoided speculation, which seems to be a problem for writers of biographies. Anne's story cannot be fully appreciated without more knowledge of her family and the people who protected them. As Anne and her father lived without bitterness for their fate, so too did Melissa Muller write with patience and understanding far beyond the abilities of most of us. The book is eloquent in its simple praise for the goodness of people who made the right choices during that conflict between good and evil. I hope that reading of the courage of Miep Gies and her husband, and the others in the business formerly owned by Otto Frank, will inspire all of its readers to stand up for what is right whatever situation we may find ourselves in. My heart still aches for the waste of human potential. And yet, Anne fulfilled so much of that potential and continues to inspire long after her life was over. Much of my heartache was felt for her parents, who in their desire to be with their children, left it until too late to get their children to safety. I understand their choices, and I know they must have lived with the knowledge that they put their children at great risk and berated themselves. My admiration for the people in Holland and other occupied countries who helped those singled out for destruction on the basis of race and prejudice is immense. I continue to be surprised at how much was done by people who were not perfect, and at their own risk. This is a near perfect biography, in writing and in intelligence. I wish there were more like this out there...
Karen Sadler
University of Pittsburgh
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