Address Unknkown. When events in our history change a life of open-mindedness and intolerance to the warped ideology of a dictator, the effect can be devastating. This enormously powerful tale brings an unprecedented vision of the horror and grief wrought by the Nazi regime. Written on the eve of the Holocaust as a series of letters between an American jew and his German friend, 'Address Unknown' is a haunting tale of immense and enduring impact, exposing the poison of Nazism. This memorable story survives in an age of racial, ethnic and nationalistic intolerance as a searing reminder that history can repeat itself.
Address Unknown
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It is to our part in World War Two what Uncle Tom's Cabin was to the Civil War. -- Kurt Vonnegut
Simple but profound... Address Unknown remains one of the most significant, innovative and genuinely engaged fictions about the Nazi era. -- 'New Statesman', March 4th 2002
Taylor's book is a rare example of fiction that has made a political difference -- 'The Times', March 6th 2002
This modern story is perfection itself. It is the most effective indictment of Nazism to appear in fiction. -- The New York Times Book Review
Simple but profound... Address Unknown remains one of the most significant, innovative and genuinely engaged fictions about the Nazi era. -- 'New Statesman', March 4th 2002
Taylor's book is a rare example of fiction that has made a political difference -- 'The Times', March 6th 2002
This modern story is perfection itself. It is the most effective indictment of Nazism to appear in fiction. -- The New York Times Book Review
From the Back Cover
A rediscovered classic, originally published in 1938 - and now an international bestseller, revealing the extraordinary power of the pen as a weapon. This is a book that needs to be read.
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First Sentence
Back in Germany! How I envy you! Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Back in Germany! How I envy you! Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By A. Peel
Format:Hardcover
What did it mean to be Jewish in the late 1930's in Nazi Germany? How powerful was Hitler's fascist brainwashing of the German race? How quickly did he influence the German people ?
In an instant this book answers these questions and a great deal more regarding the Jews and Nazi Germany. It is a concise and compelling compilation of letters between a Jew in the States and a German returned from the States to live in Germany.
Martin, the German, after voicing initial hesitation, succumbs to the temptation of following Hitler and rejecting his Jewish friend and business partner in the process.
What is particularly disturbing is that it is clear from the outset that he is an intelligent, open-minded and well-educated individual. If even he is totally taken in by Hitler and his regime, what chance did those of a lesser education and a lesser quality of life have in the face of Hitler and his positive promises for the future ? They would have been swept along by his current of hope in an instant, even if that hope involved the elimination of minorities in the process.
Only much later could the majority of Germans step back and realise the true implications of the Hitler regime. 'Address Unknown' captures this and much more in an exchange of but a few letters. The simplicitiy of the work emphasises the horrors of Hitler.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By hiljean
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book after hearing about it on Radio 4's "A Good Read" and am amazed that I had never heard of it before. It is a book which should be made essential reading in all secondary schools. Although it deals with the events leading up to the Holocaust, through the relationship between a Jew and a non-Jew who returns to Germany, the devastating effects of propaganda and misinformation are timeless and important themes. What gives this work even more power is the information contained in the Afterword explaining how and why this book came to be written. It reminds us too, that we have a duty to inform ourselves about what is happening in the world and that we must not just shrug our shoulders . . . but sadly it seems we still are (Darfur, Rwanda, the list goes on).
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I found this book breath taking. I felt like a spy, opening and reading these letters between these two fantastic people.
The book really shows how Hitler managed to win over the minds of the German people, whether they wanted him to or not. I also feel that its brevity adds to its poinancy and this book will stay with me forever.
I personally feel that all GCSE history students (myself being one)should read this book. It only takes 30 minutes, and really shows both the political and social views in Germany in 1933. Of course, when reading a book one must remember the context. This was written in 1939 when governments all over the world were denying what was happening in Germany, and now looking back on it, it shows the striking difference between the public view, and the offical view of a country.
The book really shows how Hitler managed to win over the minds of the German people, whether they wanted him to or not. I also feel that its brevity adds to its poinancy and this book will stay with me forever.
I personally feel that all GCSE history students (myself being one)should read this book. It only takes 30 minutes, and really shows both the political and social views in Germany in 1933. Of course, when reading a book one must remember the context. This was written in 1939 when governments all over the world were denying what was happening in Germany, and now looking back on it, it shows the striking difference between the public view, and the offical view of a country.
Overall, a beautiful book that will stay with me forever.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By K. Taylor
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
So simple, so short, and so very profound. A cleverly constructed story of friendship betrayed, of Germany during the pre-war Nazi years, and of a simple but devastating revenge. Have the tissues ready.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Robin Pain
Format:Hardcover
An exchange of letters sounds boring but in this case it is a necessary formula for a unique "trick" - that is not a trick.
The idea is so very perfect that it would be difficult to make if fail even with poor writing but it is well written and carefully crafted.
Where Orwell's Animal Farm slowly and relentlessly crushes the hard diamond of Totalitarianism with a road roller, this book splits it with a single expert tap exactly on a cleavage fault, in a blink of the eye.
Sorry to be so vague but you can't describe it without giving some of it away - not that it depends on that but you *must* read it as is with no preconceptions and also you must take it at face value because in the end there is no trick.
The idea is so very perfect that it would be difficult to make if fail even with poor writing but it is well written and carefully crafted.
Where Orwell's Animal Farm slowly and relentlessly crushes the hard diamond of Totalitarianism with a road roller, this book splits it with a single expert tap exactly on a cleavage fault, in a blink of the eye.
Sorry to be so vague but you can't describe it without giving some of it away - not that it depends on that but you *must* read it as is with no preconceptions and also you must take it at face value because in the end there is no trick.
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A story written entirely in letters between a Jew in America and his German friend in pre-War Germany, revealing the darker side of what was just around history's corner. The book has a shocking conclusion despite its few pages and it wouldn't be right for me to reveal that to you here.
The format heightens the tension of the strained relationship of the two letter-writers just as the tension in Germany heightens up to 1938. Address Unknown is ESSENTIAL reading for all, especially since it is so short (only 54 pages!), easy to read and few will fail to be shocked by it.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I found it quite heart-breaking in its simplicity and the terrible inevitability of the developing situation between the two men which nevertheless compels you to keep turning the pages. It is deservedly a classic.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this book as part of my English studies, and actually enjoyed it a great deal more than I expected to. The historic setting is well-portrayed, the format of messages between two individuals in very different places both unique and fascinating.
However, I felt unable to award this book more than the stars due to its characters appearing awkwardly detached and depersonalised, though this is likely caused in part by the format of written letters that breaks up the story somewhat.
Overall, though, Address unknown was quite an enjoyable read, and I would certainly recommend it to any lovers of WWII settings.
However, I felt unable to award this book more than the stars due to its characters appearing awkwardly detached and depersonalised, though this is likely caused in part by the format of written letters that breaks up the story somewhat.
Overall, though, Address unknown was quite an enjoyable read, and I would certainly recommend it to any lovers of WWII settings.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short but very much to the point.
A gripping read. It showed how propaganda can turn friends to enemies. Max shows that the pen can be a mighty weapon for revenge.
Published 9 days ago by Mrs. H. Ferris
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Little Gem
A small tale in a short book...but with a profound and historic meaning. Written in 1936/9...why did no one read it then and realise that it was a warning to hstory. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Edmund Dantes
3.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling, and short
A fascinating 'historical' record of a proposed conversation between two Jewish friends - one in America and one in Germany leading up to and during the second world war. Read more
Published 2 months ago by htspider
5.0 out of 5 stars
There but for the grace of God
Such a profound story in so few words and executed in such a very clever "letters" to/from style. Brilliant brilliant
Published 4 months ago by Trevor Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
The Best English assignment I've had in awhile. Quite enjoyable... I think it was quite enjoyable, a levels are much nicer than I thought.
Published 5 months ago by E'Lanna Ann Mears
4.0 out of 5 stars
wee little booklet !
Be aware when you purchase the softcover version of this book that it is very small. I was rather surprised as I had assumed it would be a normal sized paperback. Read more
Published 6 months ago by UNBIASED
5.0 out of 5 stars
address unknown
I was lent this book by a friend, and found it so moving, and so chilling, I not only bought another copy for myself, but another one which I lend to friends. Read more
Published 20 months ago by maryshe
5.0 out of 5 stars
A stunning book in everyway. Everyone should read this.
A friend of mine recommended Kressmann Taylor's "Address unknown" and I am so glad that he did as it is truly one of the most striking books I have ever read. Read more
Published on 21 April 2011 by Dale A. Haines
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Adressat unbetannt"
In 1938, when this short story, in the form of a series of letters from an American Jew to his German friend and business partner, was first published, it must have hit its early... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2011 by GlynLuke
5.0 out of 5 stars
address unknown by kressman taylor
Most moving account of the dissolution of a close friendship between two men due to the rise of Nazism in Germany in the early 1930s. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2010 by rosamond
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