If you are interested in the history of Czechoslovakia during WWII, this is an interesting account. While the book is more history than memoir, Madeleine Albright also relates what she knows of her family's story during those times. It's very depressing. Most interesting were the questions raised about how and why certain decisions were made by governments (and the importance of leader's personalities as they related to other leaders) and ordinary individuals when put in seemingly no-win situations. ( )

Here's what I wrote in 2013 about this read: "Interesting, informative, and a good build on In the Garden of Beasts. Madeline Albright's father was a diplomat, too, and both parent families were Jewish by background. Much to learn about Czechosovakian history, role of German invasion in overall WWII, and the country's democratic heritage. Wow, I should go to Prague and see this city!" Note here in 2023: did make it to Prague, in 2014, and it was as interesting and beautiful as expected. ( )

I listened to this book and particularly appreciated that it was read by the author. It is both the personal story of her family and the story of Czechoslovakia during and after World War Two. I did feel it bogged down in the postwar politics of the country, but overall, very interesting and enjoyable. ( )

I borrowed this book from the library after my father recommended it to me. The book was heartbreaking, uplifting, maddening and a loving legacy to the fight that people have in them to overcome evil tyrany.
Mrs. Albright is a wonderful writer who you can tell loving researched this book to the full extent of her brilliant mind's capacity and then delved into historical records of family and compadres who lived in her birth country.

This book was deep, full of detail and took me while to read because I wanted to soak in all the spirits of those who lived in this book.

I didn't know much about the history of Czechoslovakia until reading this book. I knew they were entrenched in the nazis takeover but was unaware as to how many citizens lost their lives in the war.

I highly recommend this book. If you admired Mrs. Albright when she was Secretary of State you will become even more enamored with her learning of her early childhood and the smarts that she shows in this writing. ( )

This is the third book I've read by Albright, and it does not disappoint. I have already read her autobiography (Madam Secretary) and her latest, Fascism. This book centers on Albright's earliest years, from the year she was born, 1937, until 1948. She was born in Prague, Cz, at the outset of WWII. Her father was press attache representing the Czech government in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939, the family (secretly Jewish) fled to London, where Madeleine spent many of her childhood years. After the war, the family moved back to Czechoslovakia, and soon after to Belgrade, as Madeleine's father, Josef Korbel, was appointed ambassador in Belgrade. With the Communist takeover of his country, however, Korbel asked for a received a position as a delegate to the United Nations, and eventually moved the family to the United States, asking for asylum, as his democratic leanings made it difficult and dangerous to move back to Czechoslovakia. The story of the Korbel family, however, is only a small part of the book. Much of the bulk of the story consists of a diplomatic history of Czechoslovakia during the years 1937-1948, with emphasis on leaders such as President Edvard Benes, trying to keep his country intact, and Jan Masaryk, diplomat and politician and son of T.G. Masaryk, the founder of modern day Czechoslovakia.

This book is an important addition to the WWII canon of literature. It is unusual to find, at this time, an eyewitness to these times, even as young as she was, who also has the perspective of having served herself as Secretary of State. I took my time reading this book - it was meaty - and it provided a window into a time I hope will never be repeated. ( )