Heimat - E-book - ePub

In 1929, four young Germans embark on a life-altering journey from the remnants of post-WWI Germany to the promise-filled streets of America.  Dreaming of returning to their beloved hometown of Neisse as triumphant American citizens, their fate takes a dramatic twist in the heart of Berlin's teeming train station. A daring rescue of an American diplomat binds them in an enduring friendship, setting them on a path through the shattered illusions of the American dream, the harrowing depths of the Great Depression, and the challenging process of assimilating into a new culture.
As the world plunges into the chaos of World War II, their lives diverge in ways they could never have imagined. Matthias finds himself in the paradoxical role of building ships in an American yard aimed at destroying their homeland. Feliks, driven by a sense of duty, joins the US Army to fight against the Japanese in the Pacific, later aiding the Polish resistance in their homeland. Josef, caught in an ill-timed visit to Neisse, is swept into the ranks of the Wehrmacht, partaking in the invasions of France and Russia, eventually coming face-to-face with Americans in the Battle of the Bulge. Meanwhile, Edo steps into the hallowed halls of the Nuremberg trials, contributing to the monumental task of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice.
Their story is a tapestry of loyalty, betrayal, and the relentless grip of fate, weaving a compelling saga of friendship tested by war, ideology, and the quest for identity in a world coming undone.  This is more than a tale of four immigrants; it is a poignant exploration of the human spirit caught in the tumult of history.