Entering Germany: 1944-1949

Rating:
Summary: An Absorbing and Disturbing Look at War's Aftermath
Review: Having lived in Germany in the late 70's, I saw the results of its "economic miracle." I often wondered though, as I drove down streets of Frankfurt or Berlin, what it looked like right after WWII. Well, this book delivers just that. It is a photo-journalistic treasure of post-war Germany and about what it endured (and one might say rightly so.) Each photo tells a story that can go on for hours. If this period of history interests you, you will not be disappointed. Interestingly, it was published in Germany.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Mr. Vacarro did a great job here, his pictures are telling and touching. Recommended for those who are into the occupation of Germany.

Rating:
Summary: A photo history of Germany after the war.
Review: There is very little writing in this book, so it is a photo history. The book is in three languages, so two other translations appear along with the English. Some of these are very touching photos, two dead Germans who appear to be soldiers but are in fact women who fought. Another picture of a dead soldier with a Christmas card from his family opened up. Most of the photos are those of the aftermath of the war when soldiers occupy Germany. These show the devastation of war, and the effects on the population.
I rate this as an average read, but in fact there is little to read. The pictures are great, but it would have been nice to see Vacarro's perspective along with these photos. The reader (?) is left to make his/her own judgement on what they are seeing.

Rating:
Summary: A photo history of Germany after the war.
Review: There is very little writing in this book, so it is a photo history. The book is in three languages, so two other translations appear along with the English. Some of these are very touching photos, two dead Germans who appear to be soldiers but are in fact women who fought. Another picture of a dead soldier with a Christmas card from his family opened up. Most of the photos are those of the aftermath of the war when soldiers occupy Germany. These show the devastation of war, and the effects on the population.
I rate this as an average read, but in fact there is little to read. The pictures are great, but it would have been nice to see Vacarro's perspective along with these photos. The reader (?) is left to make his/her own judgement on what they are seeing.

Rating:
Summary: "Armed with Gun and Camera"
Review: Tony Vacarro first entered Germany as an infantryman in December, 1944. Unlike other GI's, he carried a camera along with his rifle. He processed his film in army helmets and hung the wet negatives to dry on the branches of trees. Later, he worked as a photographer with the occupation forces. His stark and arresting black and white images follow the course from the liberation of Germany through the occupation, reconstruction and eventual return to a tentative peace in 1949. This book provides unexpected insight, through the eyes of a sensitive and individualistic observer, into a crucial period in 20th century history. Many of the pictures are truly unforgettable - especially the moving portrait of a dead GI in the snow of the Ardennes forest (p.4-5), the view of the mountains from Hitler's retreat at the Berghof (p. 68-69) and the quirky, humorous shot of the soldier with German children at Tempelhof Airport (p. 188-189) which sums up in a single image the magnitude of the rapprochement between Americans and Germans. "Entering Germany" is a very impressive achievement, and is strongly recommended.