{"product_id":"summer-of-freedom-how-1945-changed-the-world-9781635425413","title":"Summer of Freedom: How 1945 Changed the World","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis colorful post-World War II history brings to life a crucial yet understudied period, through the eyes of both major figures and ordinary people.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt was a summer like no one had ever experienced: in the four months from May to September 1945, the old world collapsed, and a new one opened up. The heinous Third Reich was over, ushering in an era of freedom, but also fresh conflicts. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith a gripping historical panorama, Oliver Hilmes offers insight into this unprecedented summer, from the perspectives of the victors and the vanquished, victims and perpetrators, celebrities and unknowns. The \"Big Three\"--Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin--determine the course of history at the Potsdam Conference. German housewife Else Tietze fears for her son's safety. US soldier Klaus Mann tracks down Nazi criminals. And in Berlin Billy Wilder plans a comedy about life in the ruins. Cafés and restaurants reopen their doors, and Red Army soldier Vasily Petrowitsch is begged for bread by German children. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough a series of scenes that lead from Berlin to Tokyo, from Munich to Paris, from Bayreuth to Moscow, Hilmes captures the unique atmosphere of this time of extremes: the great happiness and hope of the liberated; the misery, grief, and fear of the defeated; and the uncertainty that comes with freedom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Other Press (NY)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/09\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781635425413\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 272\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.81lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/13\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/01\/2026 pg. 78\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oliver Hilmes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52435599622325,"sku":"9781635425413","price":25.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_5dfc13d7-fcae-417e-8337-5141f92c896c.jpg?v=1776227391","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/summer-of-freedom-how-1945-changed-the-world-9781635425413","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}