Traudl Junge was 22 years old and dreamt of a career as a ballerina, until the 'opportunity of her life' beckoned and she was appointed as Adolf Hitler's secretary. From 1942 until his death she was at his side in the bunker, typing his correspondence, his speeches and even his last private and political will and testament. It was only after the war that the horrible reality of Hitler's regime began to dawn on her, and she became racked with guilt for 'liking the greatest criminal ever to have lived.' Her journal, written in 1947, is a startling eyewitness account of Hitler's court during its final years, and of the building sense of doom as the war progressed.

A very frank account of Traudl's 2 1/2 years as Hitler's secretary - she was young, naive and not interested in politics and was totally drawn in by Hitler's personality. While the country was falling apart, life at the Berghof was ever so 'normal' in her eyes which make her memoirs even more chilling to read.

Taking along to June Meet up in Edinburgh

Picked it up at the meeting as I thought it could be really interesting.

PS Nice to see you again Kinedi!

A weirdly sympathetic view of the war. Traudl doesn't see much outside the world of her duties so you have to keep remembering the larger context has she describes the effects the war had on them.

A very worthwhile read.