Carol Ann Lee Bücher

Die 1969 geborene englische Autorin dieser offenbar gut recherchierten, umfassenden, durchaus kritischen Biografie Anne Franks (1929-1945) ist wie die fast gleichaltrige deutsche Biografin M. Müller (BA 12/98) schon als Kind der Geschichte Anne Franks begegnet, die sie seitdem nicht losgelassen hat. Nahezu zeitgleich mit jener Biografie vorgelegt, basiert diese ebenso auf Interviews mit den wenigen noch Überlebenden, die authentische Auskunft über Herkunft, Familie, Lebensumstände geben können, die das Tagebuch Anne Franks spiegelt (hier vor allem der Cousin B. Elias). Beide Autorinnen hatten sich Intrigen zu erwehren, beide Biografien ähneln sich weitgehend, kommen zu ähnlichen oder gleichen Ergebnissen, basieren teilweise auf 'neuem' Material, und beide nehmen für sich in Anspruch 'die' Biografie zu sein, und können deshalb nebeneinander im Regal angeboten werden. (2).

Seine Tochter wurde zum berühmtesten Mädchen des 20. Jahrhunderts; bis heute ist das Schicksal der Anne Frank Millionen von Menschen vertraut. Aber wer war Otto Frank? Carol Anne Lee, seit ihrer großen Biographie über Anne Frank als Kennerin ausgewiesen, erzählt, wie Otto Frank (1889–1980) im reichen deutsch-jüdischen Bürgertum aufwuchs, nach einer arrangierten Ehe nach Amsterdam zog und dort ein erfolgreicher Geschäftsmann wurde. Gestützt auf bislang unbekannte Tagebücher Otto Franks vermag sie die Geschichte der Gefangenschaft im Hinterhaus zu schildern, bis zum bitteren Ende, das ihn als einzigen Überlebenden seiner Familie sah. Das Geheimnis jenes Menschen, der sich aufopferte, um das Vermächtnis der geliebten Tochter zu erfüllen, wird mit dieser fesselnden Biographie endlich gelöst.

The narrative explores Otto Frank's early life and the family's transformation from proud Germans to victims of Nazi oppression. It delves into their harrowing experiences in concentration camps while weaving in personal accounts from other survivors, excerpts from various victims' journals, and poignant black-and-white photographs. This multifaceted approach offers a deeper understanding of Anne Frank's life and the broader impact of the Holocaust, shifting the perspective on her legacy.

Anne Frank's diary is the second most-read book after the Bible, detailing her brief life before, during, and after writing the diary.

Exploring the betrayal of Anne Frank and her family, this biography reveals new insights into Otto Frank and the individual responsible for their capture. Carol Ann Lee uncovers previously undocumented information, detailing a disturbing relationship that persisted until Otto's death. The narrative is enriched with excerpts from Anne's secret journal, chronicling her experiences from liberation to her return to the Secret Annex in 1945. This work sheds light on Otto Frank's life and the broader historical context of their tragic story.

Set against the backdrop of post-World War I, the narrative explores the profound impact of betrayal on the human spirit. It follows a protagonist grappling with personal demons and the challenging path to healing and redemption. The story delves into themes of resilience and the struggle to overcome deep emotional scars, offering a poignant reflection on the aftermath of war and the complexities of recovery.

On 7 August 1985, Nevill and June Bamber, their daughter Sheila and her two young sons Nicholas and Daniel were discovered shot to death at White House Farm in Essex. The murder weapon was found on Sheila's body; a bible lay at her side. All the windows and doors of the farmhouse were secure, and the Bambers' son, 24-year-old Jeremy, had alerted police after apparently receiving a phone call from his father, who told him Sheila had 'gone berserk' with the gun. It seemed a straightforward case of murder-suicide, but a dramatic turn of events was to disprove the police's theory. In October 1986, Jeremy Bamber was convicted of killing his entire family in order to inherit his parents' substantial estates. He has always maintained his innocence. Drawing on interviews and correspondence with many of those closely connected to the events - including Jeremy Bamber - and a wealth of previously unpublished documentation, Carol Ann Lee brings astonishing clarity to a complex and emotive case. She describes the years of rising tension in the family that culminated in the murders, and provides clear insight into the background of each individual and their relationships within the family unit. Scrupulously fair in its analysis, The Murders at White House Farm is an absorbing portrait of a family, a time and a place, and a gripping account of one of Britain's most notorious crimes.

The harrowing events of 20 August 1612 unfold as ten individuals from Pendle face execution at Lancaster's Gallows Hill, following months of brutal imprisonment and torture, which claimed the life of one member before trial. This historical account delves into the grim realities of the witch trials, exploring themes of injustice and societal fear that led to such tragic outcomes. The chilling atmosphere and the stark consequences of mass hysteria during this period are vividly depicted.